{"id":4491,"date":"2022-02-05T13:00:33","date_gmt":"2022-02-05T12:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homesandantiques.com\/?p=26256"},"modified":"2022-02-05T13:24:34","modified_gmt":"2022-02-05T12:24:34","slug":"interiors-inspiration-a-colourful-cotswolds-cottage","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/rss_feed\/interiors-inspiration-a-colourful-cotswolds-cottage\/","title":{"rendered":"Interiors inspiration: a colourful Cotswolds cottage"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Molly Malsom\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 05 February 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Despite the whistle-stop nature of her first viewing, Amelia Harvey immediately saw how she could transform this pretty Cotswolds cottage into a colourful bolthole. Her London home, with its bleached oak flooring and Crittall doors, \u2018has a pared-back, modern look\u2019, she explains. \u2018But here, I wanted to be more daring, to complement and enhance the cottage\u2019s charming idiosyncrasies.\u2019<\/p>\n

Having been brought up in the countryside, Amelia has happy memories of halcyon rural days, and although firmly settled in the city, she had long-wanted her young son to experience the freedom she had enjoyed as a child. The plan was to buy a second home that she could also let out but, one way or another, life got in the way, and she never had time to explore the idea properly.<\/p>\n

But in March 2020, during lockdown, like many people, Amelia had a chance to reassess her life and future. And she finally started her search for a second home. \u2018I started scouring the internet for cottages in the Cotswolds \u2013 one of my favourite areas of the UK,\u2019 she says, adding that she further limited her search to an area within five miles of Kingham, which has a good rail link to London.<\/p>\n

Intrigued by images of a handsome Grade II-listed cottage that had once served as accommodation for staff who worked at the nearby Jacobean manor house, Shipton Court, Amelia arranged a viewing for the moment lockdown restrictions eased. On \u2018a dazzling, sunny day at the end of May\u2019, she drove to the quaint village of Shipton-under-Wychwood with all its \u2018honey-coloured houses\u2019, and was completely enchanted by both the cottage and its idyllic setting. But Amelia wasn\u2019t the only person dreaming of owning a beautiful bolthole in the Cotswolds: she was one of several potential buyers, all of whom were limited to a 10-minute time slot in which to explore the property.<\/p>\n

Although the viewing was \u2018a bit of a blur\u2019, Amelia was impressed with the cottage\u2019s potential, as well as the far-reaching views across the rolling countryside, the versatility of the annexe and the secluded walled garden. \u2018Even in that short space of time, I felt that the cottage had a warm, welcoming feel,\u2019 she says. It seemed structurally sound and, as far as she could see, it only needed new bathrooms<\/a> and cosmetic changes.<\/p>\n

Biting the bullet, she immediately put in an offer and, by the time she arrived back in London that evening, it had been accepted and the property had been taken off the market. \u2018It was an impulsive buy, but I\u2019d weighed up the risks and took comfort in knowing that, since the start of the pandemic, the Cotswolds had become even more of a property hotspot,\u2019 she adds. A fortnight later, returning to the cottage on a grey, wet day, Amelia was still just as enamoured.<\/p>\n

\u2018That visit was much more relaxed,\u2019 she says. Having a passion for interiors and the experience of renovating several properties, she quickly started picturing how she would transform the blank canvas. Keen to get started, she hired a local builder, Karl Moore, whose knowledge of working with\u00a0 <\/span>listed building projects proved invaluable. What was to be a three-month renovation began that September, and Amelia was able to stay in the annexe two days every week in order to manage the project.<\/p>\n

As the cottage took shape, Amelia turned her attention to the decor, choosing a rich palette of paint colours<\/a> and striking wallpaper<\/a>. \u2018Until then, I\u2019d only ever included hints of colour in my interiors,\u2019 she says, but the cottage\u2019s nooks, crannies and surprise features prompted her to embrace and celebrate its quirkiness, she explains. Inspired by homes she had admired in magazines and on social media, as well as interior designers including Nicola Harding, Clarence & Graves, Beata Heuman and Laura Stephens, Amelia chose jewel-like shades, ranging from deep greens to punchy pinks, with splashes of ochre, vivid blues and pops of red and aubergine.<\/p>\n

When it came to sourcing furniture, Amelia felt that a mix of antique<\/a> and mid-century<\/a> pieces would not only inject the eclectic feel she yearned for, but would also complement the period features. \u2018The sideboard in the living room was actually the first mid-century piece I\u2019d ever bought,\u2019 she says. \u2018It looked fabulous beside the original stone fireplace<\/a> and set the tone for the cottage.\u2019<\/p>\n

In each room, Amelia created a scheme inspired by one particular colour. \u2018For example, in the main bedroom, the starting point was the green backboard behind the bed. I chose a contrasting pink for the soft furnishings and accessories and pulled this combination through to the en suite.\u2019 As well as buying online from Vinterior and eBay, Amelia became a regular customer at Station Mill Antiques Centre<\/a> in Chipping Norton.<\/p>\n

After sourcing eye-catching furniture and soft furnishings, Amelia turned her thoughts to artwork. A bright red beetle painting and bold botanicals from her friend, Adam Ellis, now hang in the living room. Other artwork was sourced from online stores, including eBay and Mus\u00e9e Home, to add the final homely touches to each space. \u2018When I arrive, I take a deep breath and look forward to quality time spent walking our labradoodle, Ralph, in the countryside, horse riding, having family and friends round for a meal, or just reading quietly in front of the fire. The change of pace is definitely good for the soul.\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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