When it comes to fashionable places to live in the UK, one current location is having its moment: the Cotswolds. This designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty sits between Bath, Cheltenham, Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon, covering 790 square miles.
This picturesque setting is an A-list affair, with the Beckhams, Kate Moss, Simon Cowell and Jeremy Clarkson all frequenting properties in the area. Its natural beauty hasn’t gone unnoticed across the pond either. America talk show host Ellen DeGeneres is a resident, while rumours are intense that Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z are in the latter stages of buying a 58-acre plot of land near Wigginton.
Warm, inviting & where you live
Although only a few can buy into the exclusive Cotswold lifestyle, all of us can recreate the Cotswold look. The aesthetic is distinctive, with warm, welcoming interiors with surprisingly bold accents.
Naturally stylish
The starting point is country cottage chic and embracing these elements will put you firmly on the path to Cotswold style. Working outwards in, walls and ceilings should sport a neutral colour palette. Rich shades of cream, light buttery yellow and pale China blue create a soft backdrop to dress.
Turning attention to floors, natural materials should be prioritised. Limestone flagstone tiles are the favoured choice in kitchens, hallways and boot rooms – all the better if they are reclaimed or antique in style. Sisal, coir, jute and seagrass carpets come in complementary shades, such as barley, straw and wheat, and are hardwearing in busy family homes.
Kitchens often form the heart of a Cotswold home but this isn’t a place for shiny surfaces or dark colours. Doors and drawers are often Shaker in style, with a simple square inset design. The cabinetry should be painted and on the matt side of finishes for a traditional look. Choose dove grey, sage green or off white, paired with wooden worktops, a butler sink and simple cup or ball handles.
Patterns for personality
It’s often the soft furnishings that adds personality to a Cotswold home. One hallmark is the introduction of pleated shades to table lamps – opt for a chintzy fabric atop a big ceramic lamp base.
Sofas and armchairs become another focal point. Much loved Cotswold fabric patterns include the tribal ikat design in bold colours and chintzy Laura Ashley florals, which lift an interior design. At the other end of the spectrum are wide pastel stripes that are woven into heavy, thick weave cotton, enhancing the cottage vibes when used as an upholstery fabric.
Even the style of the sofa can make a room more Cotswold. Think classic and not contemporary, as if the items have been in the family for generations and reupholstered over time. Look for low arms, deep seats and visible wooden feet (cylindrical, tapered or spool feet if you really want to be pedantic).
More is more
Accessories are the final flourish when creating a Cotswold-inspired interior. Use books and framed artwork liberally – this isn’t an aesthetic where pin neat order is required. An enamel jug filled with seasonal flowers in the kitchen and a fabric-covered footstool in the living room will complete the look.
If you have grand interior plans and need a new home to be creative in, contact us for a list of available properties in your area.
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