Would you like a drink, Sarah Güsten-Marr asks. “And do you mind if it has bubbles?” Er, not at all and where better to imbibe than the Flute and Stiletto, Sarah’s inn-at-home?

Bonne vivante would be one way to describe this woman, complex would be nearer the mark, because although priority number one in her wonderful farmhouse was a pub and plenty of space to entertain, Sarah packs more into her days than most of us do in a week.

She is an artist, a fashion designer and another word to describe her is philanthropist. Come to think of it, that’s probably the best word to use – told you she’s complex.

To name just a few activities, Sarah works as an ambassador for the Archbishop of York’s youth trust; she sponsors young poets in Ghana and recently travelled to South Africa as one of a select group of artists contributing to My Rhino, a project to help prevent these creatures being poached for their horns and driven to extinction.

Born in impoverished war-torn Liberia but adopted by high-flying German parents, Sarah spent her formative years globetrotting and became fluent in three languages. She studied fashion in Rome, then went on to Winchester School of Art, before graduating from the American College of Applied Arts in London.

Five years ago Sarah returned to the UK from Boston, Massachusetts, where she had an art studio, and now lives on a smallholding in the Howardian Hills with her two children, a vintage Dexter tractor and a pair of shaggy haired Highland cattle. Not to mention scores of shoes, hats and bags. “I was just driving around, it was a gorgeous day and over the hill I saw this house,” she says.

“It was just what I was looking for and then I saw a big for sale sign. I couldn’t believe it.”

Sarah says it was fate; something she is a big believer of and in a very matter-of-fact way. “My mother died in childbirth and I had a new one the following day. Right time, right place, right everything and my entire life has been like that.

I believe things are meant to be; they happen for a reason.”

No surprises then that her house of choice came with a large barn, which meant plenty of room, for a gallery, dance studio and clothes store. Every room in Sarah’s home is an explosion on the senses, but for a fashion designer and contemporary artist, Sarah’s taste is surprisingly traditional. Perhaps it’s her African roots, certainly there is a lot of tribal artefacts, not to mention a plethora of books about Nelson Mandela.

“I was raised in his world and he was very much part of my growing up. I am delighted my children were born in Mandela’s lifetime.

He is huge in my life.”

So much that Sarah is currently involved in a project that celebrates the great man, which, for now, she says must stay a secret. Mandela may play a massive part in her life but Sarah says the most important thing is a humble scrap of brightly patterned fabric.

“My mother gave it to me in a frame for my 18th birthday. She said ‘this is from your mummy and what you came to us wearing’.”

Not surprisingly, it now takes pride of place in her bedroom. Pride of place elsewhere are family photos, but one thing notably missing is any sign of Sarah’s own work.

“I love my art, but I’m always doing new pieces for new shows, so it would be really difficult to have it in the house. I would be moving things around constantly.”

Sarah’s style features a flamboyant use of texture, which means a lot of time could be wasted waiting for paint to dry. To avoid this she works simultaneously on about eight pieces at the same time.“I paint with emotion,” she says.

“Whether I’m angry or happy, my canvas will feel it. It’s very liberating.”

Sarah’s studio also doubles up as another party room and, perhaps surprisingly, has an alter ego as a book repository. With good reason.

“I have a problem with libraries closing, you just can’t destroy books. I refuse to have a Kindle and I don’t want my children to grow up without libraries.” Which is why Sarah had one built in her studio. And any time her children want answers, that is where they are directed – not towards Google The barn also houses a gallery, not only to show off her own work, but that of budding local artists. And who wouldn’t want to exhibit here? This is a supremely comfortable place; period but with a colonial feel, and it certainly attracts guests.

“I have a lot of friends and sometimes the house doesn’t look like it does today. Then the beds are full, everyone comes here to have fun.