My Houzz: Beautifully Tucked Away in Somerset
This traditional country home gets a sympathetic restoration under its owner's careful eye
Victoria Harrison
November 1, 2014
Editor, Houzz UK and Ireland
As the creative director of housewares and clothing company Cabbages & Roses, Christina Strutt has a natural eye for creating an English country look. So the restoration and redecoration of this beautiful country home, thought to date from the 1500s, was a natural fit. “The house has been in my husband’s family for 200 years,” says Strutt, and family life is clearly at the heart of this home, as her son and his family now live in the cottage next door.
Strutt has decorated throughout with her signature fabrics, which draw on the faded glamour of antique and vintage linens and florals with a soft, pale color palette. However, despite the chocolate-box prettiness of the house, Strutt is not afraid to experiment with the design of the interiors. “I’m always changing things,” she says. “It’s in a constant state of flux.”
Strutt has decorated throughout with her signature fabrics, which draw on the faded glamour of antique and vintage linens and florals with a soft, pale color palette. However, despite the chocolate-box prettiness of the house, Strutt is not afraid to experiment with the design of the interiors. “I’m always changing things,” she says. “It’s in a constant state of flux.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Christina and Mark Strutt
Location: A hidden valley outside Bath, Somerset, England
Era built: 1500s
Size: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Tucked away in the rolling Somerset countryside, the home has a quintessentially English look and enjoys spectacular views across the valley.
The 16th-century property has a beautiful honey-colored stone exterior and a wonderfully relaxed character. Five entrances enable the family and guests to mill around in the summer and access the beautiful gardens that are such an integral part of the home.
Vintage finds, soft tones and antique furniture set the tone upon entering the home. The antique dresser and vintage chairs in the mudroom were sourced from an antiques market. The cushions are upholstered in a classic ticking stripe for a relaxed, country feel.
Who lives here: Christina and Mark Strutt
Location: A hidden valley outside Bath, Somerset, England
Era built: 1500s
Size: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Tucked away in the rolling Somerset countryside, the home has a quintessentially English look and enjoys spectacular views across the valley.
The 16th-century property has a beautiful honey-colored stone exterior and a wonderfully relaxed character. Five entrances enable the family and guests to mill around in the summer and access the beautiful gardens that are such an integral part of the home.
Vintage finds, soft tones and antique furniture set the tone upon entering the home. The antique dresser and vintage chairs in the mudroom were sourced from an antiques market. The cushions are upholstered in a classic ticking stripe for a relaxed, country feel.
The welcoming kitchen, with a large farmhouse table, a traditional dresser and painted wooden cabinets, sits at the heart of the home, although it wasn’t always situated here. This was originally the sitting room, “but my dream was to have a fire in the kitchen,” says Strutt, “so we swapped the rooms over, brought in an Aga, and we now have a beautiful log-burning fire in the kitchen.”
A traditional Welsh dresser painted a soft green displays a collection of vintage crockery and sits next to the traditional cream-colored Aga for a classic country kitchen look.
A traditional Welsh dresser painted a soft green displays a collection of vintage crockery and sits next to the traditional cream-colored Aga for a classic country kitchen look.
A comfortable sofa upholstered in relaxed white linen is tucked in the corner of the kitchen next to the open fire, ready for the winter.
Wall paint: New White, Farrow & Ball; trim paint: Off White, Farrow & Ball
Wall paint: New White, Farrow & Ball; trim paint: Off White, Farrow & Ball
This cozy and relaxed room used to be the kitchen before it was turned into a parlor. “Having stolen the living room to turn it into the kitchen, we then had to move the sitting room next door,” Strutt explains.
The snug sitting room really comes into its own in the winter. “It’s my favorite room,” says Strutt.
A second, larger sitting room has a similarly relaxed feel, and multiple windows flood the space with light. It also shows no signs of its surprisingly rustic previous incarnation. “This room used to be a pigsty,” says Strutt, laughing, “before it was transformed into a living space.”
The room has actually been through many changes in its time. “After the pigsty it was converted into a children’s nursery, then it became the main sitting room,” says Strutt.
The sunny room is the perfect space in which to relax or work, with plenty of views of the pretty garden. Coordinating blinds and curtains in a soft, vintage-inspired print lend a distinctly English charm to the pretty room.
Wall paint: New White, Farrow & Ball; trim paint: Off White, Farrow & Ball
The room has actually been through many changes in its time. “After the pigsty it was converted into a children’s nursery, then it became the main sitting room,” says Strutt.
The sunny room is the perfect space in which to relax or work, with plenty of views of the pretty garden. Coordinating blinds and curtains in a soft, vintage-inspired print lend a distinctly English charm to the pretty room.
Wall paint: New White, Farrow & Ball; trim paint: Off White, Farrow & Ball
Fabrics designed by Strutt are used throughout the home, and all have a beautifully faded and relaxed look. As an interior decorator, Strutt was frustrated by the fabrics that were available to her 14 years ago, so she decided to make her own and, in 2000, Cabbages & Roses was born.
Strutt’s fabric designs are all inspired by the soft beauty of antique linens. “My business partner, Bridget, and I found a vintage quilt and decided to design a fabric inspired by the beautiful, washed-out, antique look,” she says. “We designed one, then we got it printed and perfected the technique of making things look old when they were new.”
A mix of antique pictures is clustered above the bed and tucked under the low, sloped ceiling.
Wall paint: Strong White, Farrow & Ball; trim paint: Old White, Farrow & Ball; eiderdown quilt: vintage
A mix of antique pictures is clustered above the bed and tucked under the low, sloped ceiling.
Wall paint: Strong White, Farrow & Ball; trim paint: Old White, Farrow & Ball; eiderdown quilt: vintage
An en suite bathroom continues the country theme with a delicate rose-patterned wallpaper. It works well in this space but, Strutt advises, “put a glass splashback [backsplash] around the bath if you decide to use wallpaper in the bathroom.”
Wallpaper: Catherine Rose, Cabbages & Roses
Wallpaper: Catherine Rose, Cabbages & Roses
Framed prints sourced at an antiques fair surround the bath. “I like to experiment with different looks,” says Strutt. She encourages others to be brave with design choices, reasoning that “you can always put it back if you change your mind.”
An archway full of character leads into a walk-in wardrobe, which is accessed via a little set of steps. “The space was originally an outside attic, accessed from outside the house,” says Strutt. She was curious as to what lay behind it and “started picking away from the outside in.”
When Strutt accessed the space, she discovered that it was four steps above the level of the bedroom, so the stairs were put in to link the two spaces together. The unusually shaped archway is due to the fact that there is a chimney breast to the left and the Aga chimney to the right.
When Strutt accessed the space, she discovered that it was four steps above the level of the bedroom, so the stairs were put in to link the two spaces together. The unusually shaped archway is due to the fact that there is a chimney breast to the left and the Aga chimney to the right.
A snug spare bedroom is popular with guests and has a light, cozy feel. White painted tongue and groove paneling creates a rustic look, while a cluster of small framed paintings adds a homey touch.
The garden has a quintessentially English feel that perfectly complements the 16th-century home. Tucked away are hidden gems, such as a swimming pool heated by a wood-burning stove, a shady pavilion for al fresco meals and a lofty tree house with majestic views. Strutt has also recently converted a loft above a stable on the grounds into an airbnb guest room.
Take a tour of the gardens
Take a tour of the gardens
Related Stories
Contemporary Homes
Houzz Tour: Boston Pied-à-Terre Designed for Evenings
By Becky Harris
A designer found on Houzz infuses a condo with a sultry vibe inspired by supper clubs and luxe boutique hotels
Full Story
Guesthouses
Houzz Tour: Light-Filled 704-Square-Foot Modern Cottage
By Becky Harris
An architect and a designer create a light and airy feel, cozied up by layers of textures
Full Story
Outbuildings
Family Gatherings in Argentina Inspire a Pavilion and Guesthouse
By Becky Harris
A new yard adds room for hosting, swimming and bringing part of one homeowner’s culture to her family’s Seattle home
Full Story
Transitional Homes
Houzz Tour: Organic Style on an Avocado Ranch
By Becky Harris
A designer uses a soft neutral palette, handmade tile and reclaimed wood to update a 1980s contemporary home
Full Story
Transitional Homes
Houzz Tour: Elegant, Earthy Ranch House for an Empty-Nest Couple
Design styles, warm neutral colors and special details blend in a Minnesota ranch-style house with a finished basement
Full Story
Contemporary Homes
Houzz Tour: Colorado Forever Home Is a Family Affair
By Becky Harris
The mountain home was designed for gatherings and to make the most of views of Pikes Peak and surroundings
Full Story
Contemporary Homes
Houzz Tour: Open and Inviting Mountain Home Near Lake Tahoe
By Becky Harris
A designer creates a warmly minimalist California getaway that can stand up to snow and mud
Full Story
Homes Around the World
Houzz Tour: Period Home Gains Color and Character
By Kate Burt
Before-and-after photos show how a bold palette and restored features bring warmth and personality to this English house
Full Story
Modern Homes
Houzz Tour: New Home Gets a Midcentury Modern Makeover
By Julie Sheer
A designer in Boston reworks the kitchen and primary suite and adds style with furnishings, lighting and more
Full Story
Barn Homes
Houzz Tour: Old Barns Become an Airy, Modern-Rustic Home
A barn home in Devon, England, sits lightly on the land and offers simple, relaxing spaces for an extended family
Full Story
reminds me of home being a child and my mum, fells like I can be me in that style.
Absolutely grateful for putting my dream home to paper, well in this case 'screen'. I feel like my dream is one step to reality all I need to do now is win the lottery and here I come Cotswolds!! No turning back. But this is indeed my ideal home. Unfortunately, reality is my two bedroom flat tucked away in high road Leytonstone. I love it all the same