Ellasfield Retreat
Restorative Refuge, Billingshurst
296.15 sqm / 3188 sqft
Tucked into the quiet fields of Billingshurst, Ellasfield is a yoga retreat designed for slowing down, offering a natural pause from the pace of everyday life. The retreat hosts a programme of yoga, meditation, restorative workshops and seasonal gatherings, all centred around reconnecting with nature and self.
Ellasfield is the vision of its owner, Kim, who began hosting retreats from her family home before deciding to transform the entire house into a dedicated sanctuary for others. In a gesture that speaks to her commitment to the project, Kim moved into a yurt in the garden, allowing every bedroom in the house to become part of the retreat experience. Each room was reimagined as a bespoke, en-suite space for guests — calm, nurturing and deeply comfortable — so the home could fully support rest, restoration and time away from the everyday.
Before pictures at the bottom of the page
Silent Sanctuary
Our design approach here was rooted in the land. We kept as much of the existing structure as possible, choosing restoration over replacement and celebrating what was already present. Where new pieces were needed, we sourced vintage furniture and tactile, natural materials that gently soften the space rather than overwhelm it. A palette of soft greens, warm woods and chalky neutrals creates a quietly nurturing environment; a place you exhale the moment you step inside. We also used reclaimed pallet wood throughout the property as a design feature, as well as a clever way to conceal services (and even as a pelmet over the windows). Kim also commissioned a local artist to hand-paint some of the wall decorations.
Each bedroom is designed with its own identity, referencing the landscape surrounding the house, such as the green meadows and nearby woodlands.
Peaceful Pause
The living room is a quiet, welcoming space for guests to gather, read, or unwind by the fire in the evenings. We wove the retreat’s brand colours of sage and plum softly through the room — in upholstery, cushions and lighting — creating a gentle harmony that feels both grounding and uplifting.
The built-in bookcase behind the sofa was already part of the home, so we kept and styled it, allowing the space to feel familiar and lived-in rather than newly made. Soft light, layered textures and generous seating make this a room to settle into, slowly and comfortably.
Gentle Grounding
The treatment room at Ellasfield is a softly cocooned space for massage and restorative therapies. Natural textures and reclaimed timber bring warmth, while a muted palette of cream and soft green creates an instant sense of calm. Vintage touches and layered linens keep the room grounded and gentle — a quiet place to unwind and return to yourself.
What was once a closet was cleverly converted into a treatment sink area with a custom vanity built from reclaimed palletwood.
Gather and Nourish
The kitchen and dining space is the heart of the retreat - a place to gather, cook and share meals together. We kept the existing kitchen units, restoring rather than replacing, and brought new character through a reclaimed pallet-wood plinth, rustic timber handles and a splashback of softly glazed, brand-green tiles.
The long dining table extends to seat up to twenty, creating room for the whole group to eat together when the retreat is fully booked. With plant-based meals prepared on site and shared at this table, the space holds a sense of nourishment and community - relaxed, generous and intentionally simple.
Hushed Hideaways
The upstairs bedrooms sit tucked beneath the eaves, where the low, sloping ceilings called for spaces that feel cocooning rather than constrained. We leaned into that sense of shelter, creating rooms that are intimate, calming and quietly characterful.
In one, a hand-painted mural by a local artist traces tree branches across the walls, surrounding a deep copper bath that reflects soft, natural light. In the other, strings of fairy lights drape across the ceiling, giving the room a gentle, starry glow. Both spaces are grounded in natural textures and soft green tones, offering guests a place to retreat, rest and feel held.
Room to Exhale
The ground floor bedroom suite was originally Kim’s own room, so it already held a natural sense of comfort and ease. We kept the existing bed and bedside tables, allowing their familiar warmth to remain, and layered in soft textiles, natural tones and gentle lighting to create a peaceful haven for guests.
The small lobby space beside the room, separated by the original glass block wall, became the perfect wardrobe and dressing nook - a quiet transition zone that adds privacy and a sense of retreat within the retreat. The result is a grounded, restful room that feels both welcoming and deeply soothing.
Honest Materials & Hand-Crafted Spaces
The bathrooms at Ellasfield were designed to feel calm, natural and connected to their surroundings, using handmade green subway tiles, anti-slip flooring and locally sourced live-edge timber. Vanity units were either built on site or found through small makers on Etsy, introducing a warm, handcrafted feel. Accessibility was considered from the outset, with wooden grab rails and thoughtful layouts that ensure comfort and ease without compromising on the soft, organic aesthetic that runs throughout the house.
Celestial Slumber
The Celestial Room is a playful, night-sky inspired bunk room for children and families. We kept the walls deep and dark in honour of the room’s original character - once Kim’s son’s bedroom, painted in a Star Wars theme - and layered in delicate strings of fairy lights and a star-shaped pendant to evoke a soft, magical glow. A small play tent and cosy seating offer places to curl up, dream and imagine. It’s a room designed for wonder, where bedtime feels like settling beneath the stars.
Arrive and Unwind
The entrance to Ellasfield is designed to ease you into a slower rhythm from the moment you step inside. Soft, earthy tones and natural textures set a gentle atmosphere, with layered artwork, warm timber and greenery guiding you through the space. A basket of slippers sits by the door, inviting guests to leave the outside world behind - quite literally -and settle into a more grounded, barefoot state of being. It’s a quiet, reassuring welcome; a threshold where the pace softens and the retreat begins.
Ellasfield reflects our belief that spaces don’t need to shout to be felt. It is calm, grounded and intentionally simple - a retreat shaped by nature, and designed to let the stillness in.
Photographer: Chris Snook
