The perfect host creates an elevated home away from home. It’s all about the food you love but would never cook for yourself, the rooms that make you question your own home’s decor, and an atmosphere that you wish you could stuff into a bottle and keep for a rainy day. While many of us can only dream of having the diverse knowledge that it takes to become a dream host, Joey and Katy of Husk, Thorington have made it look effortless. Nestled away in the Suffolk village of Thorington, Husk offers weekend stays and supper club dining experiences that connect visitors with local produce, all whilst keeping sustainability at its heart. Equipped with their extensive professional culinary careers, expert knowledge of wines and killer eye for interior design, they have created a haven for foodies and eco-enthusiasts alike.

We’ve been mutual followers with Husk for quite a while, and have excitedly watched Walnut Tree Farm become the beautiful destination that it is today. Armed with their Sulis purchases, Joey and Katy have adorned their guest suites and supper club rooms with carefully selected vintage finds that tie together their interior designs. We have to admit, it’s been incredibly satisfying to see where pieces that so fleetingly pass through the studio find their forever homes. And what better home than Husk, Thorington?! It’s been wonderful to chat with Joey and Katy about their vision for Husk, their interior inspiration and zest for great food. We hope you find their enthusiasm just as infectious as we have.

Where was the idea for Husk, Thorington born? 

As a couple we planned menus, cooked, and hosted since day one. Running a supper club and hosting guests in a B&B has always been our dream and suits our skillset very well. It’s great fun too!

We love the attention to detail in your guest rooms, each one is so beautifully cohesive with clear themes throughout. Are you inspired by any particular interior designers?

Thank you, that’s really kind. We’ve been very inspired by Joey’s mother who has a very eclectic style which seems to effortlessly blend her South African heritage with ‘old English farmhouse’ charm. We love Annie Sloane and her use of colour and pattern. We have bought many pieces of second hand furniture and upcycled these with Annie’s chalk paints.

How did you first hear about Sulis?

We sourced so much of our furniture for Husk from eBay, as well as a few bits of art. We were looking at Ben Carrivick oil paintings on ebay. Your rep on ebay was super helpful and pointed us to your website where we now purchase directly as we love collecting the loyalty points for future pieces.

What do you look for in a vintage art piece?

Anything that sparks joy. We don’t have one favourite style or period of art, in fact we love combining various styles in one room. So long as the piece instantly sparks joy, it’s in!

What is your favourite piece currently hanging in the supper club rooms?

Ohh this is really tricky. We have a huge contemporary oil painting which hangs on the main wall behind the large oak dining table opposite the French doors onto the terrace. It’s so bold and colourful and its composition is a real celebration of food and wine. The colours in the painting match all our locally made ceramics very well - cobalt blues, mustard, charcoal.

And if we are allowed to choose a second piece we have a very striking little oil painting by local artist Sarah Poland - it’s an intimate scene of two women having a chat over a bottle of wine.

Tell us more about what visitors can expect from a stay at Husk.

Guests can expect the ultimate ‘slow weekend’ and a real chance to switch off, eat well, and connect with nature. There’s a natural cold water swimming pool with exceptional views over fallow farmland, and an eco sauna to warm up afterwards. Guests can book into a supper club for a four course seasonal supper, or help themselves to organic wines, local ales, and delicious snacks from ‘The Pantry’.

What’s on the menu for November supper clubs?

We are so excited about the November menu… we’ll be serving Suffolk game croquettes with fermented plum ketchup as snacks, followed by mushroom parfait with rye & chestnut sourdough, and a rich, deep umami wild venison and bay moussaka with winter leaf salad. Pudding will be warm rosemary and brown butter cakes with Crown Prince ice cream.

Favourite dish to cook for guests?

Tough one! We do a very local take on ‘Vitello Tonnato” (an Italian dish of veal and tuna) using Blythburgh free-range pork tenderloin from just down the road, and some smoked mackerel from Southwold harbour. We make a sauce with the mackerel and garnish the dish with homegrown nasturtiums, gooseberries, and our fermented plum olives which serve as an English caper.

What is your favourite piece currently hanging in the supper club rooms?

Ohh this is really tricky. We have a huge contemporary oil painting which hangs on the main wall behind the large oak dining table opposite the French doors onto the terrace. It’s so bold and colourful and its composition is a real celebration of food and wine. The colours in the painting match all our locally made ceramics very well - cobalt blues, mustard, charcoal.

And if we are allowed to choose a second piece we have a very striking little oil painting by local artist Sarah Poland - it’s an intimate scene of two women having a chat over a bottle of wine.

What is the most special thing about hosting guests at your very own BnB?

We suppose it’s exactly that - ‘hosting’. We aim to offer a more personal touch than a hotel, and want guests to feel totally at home.