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Cotswolds Cottage Gets a Stylish Vintage Makeover
A designer brings back the charm of a small 18th-century English country home
This cozy 18th-century cottage needed quite a lot of work to restore its character and create a roomier living space for the couple who live here. “They worked with architects to design an extension and we completely updated the bones of the building, including wiring, plumbing and reinstating stone walls,” interior designer Jo Shore says. To give the owners the rustic look they were after, Shore brought in plenty of texture with natural linen, wool, seagrass and stone.
Before: A wall of Cotswold stone was built in front of the plasterboard at the side of the room. “We relied on the builders’ beautiful craftsmanship to create the stone walls around the house,” Shore says.
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At the other end of the living room is a wood-burning stove. Shore extended the hearth by sourcing the same dark limestone as the existing surface. The mantel beam was stripped and restored, and an alcove was created for storing wood.
The ceiling beams were originally stained a dark color, so Shore painted them white to give a fresh look to the room. She hung a cozy wool herringbone curtain over the front door for added insulation.
Side tables: deVOL
The ceiling beams were originally stained a dark color, so Shore painted them white to give a fresh look to the room. She hung a cozy wool herringbone curtain over the front door for added insulation.
Side tables: deVOL
The addition, built on the side of the kitchen, serves as the dining room. The owners found the table and chairs in France, and Shore’s cabinetmaker adjusted the legs to make it lower.
“We built a bench beneath the windows with hinged seats for storing outdoor cushions,” she says. “It was tricky to find the right color to paint the windows, as they’re uPVC, but we were happy with this choice in the end.”
Shore’s builder made the solid oak barn door, which leads to the utility room. This room was an old outbuilding and is now connected to the addition.
Window trim paint: Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball; wall paint: Jasmine White, Dulux
“We built a bench beneath the windows with hinged seats for storing outdoor cushions,” she says. “It was tricky to find the right color to paint the windows, as they’re uPVC, but we were happy with this choice in the end.”
Shore’s builder made the solid oak barn door, which leads to the utility room. This room was an old outbuilding and is now connected to the addition.
Window trim paint: Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball; wall paint: Jasmine White, Dulux
The pendant light was made from a basket Shore found at a garden center. “I sourced a filament bulb and a suitable cable and asked the electrician to make it into a pendant,” she says. “It’s hung from the central beam of the skylight and gives a lovely focal point.”
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Shop for pendant lights
Maximizing storage was a must in the small kitchen. “The utility room helped, as we could put the laundry appliances in there,” Shore says. The lower kitchen cabinets house an integrated dishwasher and plenty of drawers for pots, as well as a corner cupboard with a pullout rack.
“We wanted to keep it nice and open, so we only installed wall units on one side,” Shore says. Three brass sconces complement the brass hardware.
Limestone flooring was used in both the kitchen and dining area; here, a seagrass rug from Africa softens the surface.
Kitchen cabinets and sink: Wren
“We wanted to keep it nice and open, so we only installed wall units on one side,” Shore says. Three brass sconces complement the brass hardware.
Limestone flooring was used in both the kitchen and dining area; here, a seagrass rug from Africa softens the surface.
Kitchen cabinets and sink: Wren
The stairs are directly opposite the kitchen. “We kept the existing banister and handrail and tidied up the underside of the staircase,” Shore says.
The owners bought the desk in France, and Shore found the reconditioned Anglepoise lamp in a local shop.
Banister paint: Lead Grey, Dulux; stair runner: Roger Oates
The owners bought the desk in France, and Shore found the reconditioned Anglepoise lamp in a local shop.
Banister paint: Lead Grey, Dulux; stair runner: Roger Oates
Brass reading lights can be turned on with a separate switch, while the table lamps can be operated at the wall for more decorative illumination.
“The wall had to be immaculately planned for the back boxes and switches,” Shore says.
“The wall had to be immaculately planned for the back boxes and switches,” Shore says.
“We built an upholstered seat in the recessed window,” Shore says. “The curtains are cotton with tassels to add a pretty edging.”
Two vintage-style sinks and a shower were installed in the bathroom. Shore contrasted bright white subway tiles with dark gray walls and used patterned tiles on the floor.
Plaster was taken off the landing wall to reveal the beautiful stone underneath. The stone was repointed and downlights were installed along the ceiling to wash the wall with light.
Floor tiles, Walls and Floors; wall paint: Lead Grey, Dulux
Plaster was taken off the landing wall to reveal the beautiful stone underneath. The stone was repointed and downlights were installed along the ceiling to wash the wall with light.
Floor tiles, Walls and Floors; wall paint: Lead Grey, Dulux
In a second, tiny bedroom, the team built a bed in a nook with storage underneath. “The tongue-and-groove doors with Suffolk ironware give it some character,” Shore says.
The windows are again uPVC, but the dark gray paint and new handles help them fit in with the look of the old house.
Ticking fabric for blind: Ian Mankin
The windows are again uPVC, but the dark gray paint and new handles help them fit in with the look of the old house.
Ticking fabric for blind: Ian Mankin
Before: There were some existing beams in the attic bedroom, so the team added a second one vertically to give the space symmetry.
“We also put tongue-and-groove behind the bed to add character,” Shore says.
Table lamps are again complemented by wall-mounted lights. “It’s a lovely, luxurious touch to have separate reading lights,” she says.
Pendant light: John Lewis & Partners
Table lamps are again complemented by wall-mounted lights. “It’s a lovely, luxurious touch to have separate reading lights,” she says.
Pendant light: John Lewis & Partners
Storage was built into the eaves with tongue-and-groove doors.
In the adjoining bathroom, Shore worked with what was already there. “We paneled the side of the bath and added new faucets,” she says. The flooring matches that in the first-floor bathroom for a cohesive look.
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House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: The Cotswolds, England
Size: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Designer: Jo Shore
To give this tiny cottage a more spacious feel, the wall that separated two small living rooms was removed to create a larger space. At one end is a sitting area where the owners can read, watch television and relax with friends.
“They were keen to conceal the TV, so we designed a storage unit with doors for the screen and a drinks area above,” Shore says. Sconces add a cozy glow to the bookcase.
Sofa: Sofa.com; floor lamp: Jim Lawrence