Houzz Tour: A Country Escape with the Comfort Factor in Scotland
Take inspiration from this cosy retreat, with its ultra-relaxing vibe and easy palette of soft blues and greens
This converted coaching barn in Fife, near the east coast of Scotland, ticks all the boxes for a rustic retreat: cosy character, tons of comfortable cushions and a calming palette of watery blues and greens. “The house is set in beautiful countryside, so we took the surrounding colours as inspiration,” says Sally Homan of Robertson Lindsay Interiors, who designed the home.
The cornerstone of the original conversion, completed in 2010, was the light-filled, open-plan ground floor.
The property’s olde worlde character has been preserved, with input from Historic Scotland – details such as this row of beautiful arched windows nod to its past.
Once the building works were done, Sally Homan came on board to revamp the interior. The result is light, bright and uplifting. “I was originally just brought in to design the colour scheme,” she recalls, “but I ended up looking at everything from furniture, carpets and lighting to soft furnishings, accessories and artwork.”
Pale engineered flooring gives a modern feel that’s still warm.
The property’s olde worlde character has been preserved, with input from Historic Scotland – details such as this row of beautiful arched windows nod to its past.
Once the building works were done, Sally Homan came on board to revamp the interior. The result is light, bright and uplifting. “I was originally just brought in to design the colour scheme,” she recalls, “but I ended up looking at everything from furniture, carpets and lighting to soft furnishings, accessories and artwork.”
Pale engineered flooring gives a modern feel that’s still warm.
The vibe here is luxe country cottage – calm, relaxing and traditional, but without descending into fusty or dusty.
“We aimed for a classic meets contemporary country feel,” says Homan. “I mixed traditional checks with more modern prints, such as the soft geometrics.”
Though the main living space is open-plan, grouping sofas and an armchair around the fireplace mimics a cosy parlour. The sisal rug, classic sofas and spriggy, botanical wallpaper are timeless and relaxed; swapping a coffee table for an ottoman further softens any hard edges.
Bespoke ottoman, Robertson Lindsay. Green armchair, clients’ own; reupholstered in Colefax and Fowler Penrose Check. Sisal rug, Naturals Range at Alternative Flooring.
“We aimed for a classic meets contemporary country feel,” says Homan. “I mixed traditional checks with more modern prints, such as the soft geometrics.”
Though the main living space is open-plan, grouping sofas and an armchair around the fireplace mimics a cosy parlour. The sisal rug, classic sofas and spriggy, botanical wallpaper are timeless and relaxed; swapping a coffee table for an ottoman further softens any hard edges.
Bespoke ottoman, Robertson Lindsay. Green armchair, clients’ own; reupholstered in Colefax and Fowler Penrose Check. Sisal rug, Naturals Range at Alternative Flooring.
This living room is the ideal place to hunker down on a lazy Sunday. A gas stove rather than a traditional fireplace was chosen for its practicality, says Homan. Stoves are less messy than open fires, and more efficient at pumping out heat.
Beaumont 8KW stove, Chesney’s.
Beaumont 8KW stove, Chesney’s.
When it comes to country style, rattan is a classic; Homan has topped a lidded basket with piles of leather-bound books for a country hotel vibe. The patterned porcelain lamp base is another timeless touch.
The dining area sits behind the main living space. The chairs, which are made of bamboo, were originally brown, but they’ve been spray-painted white to match the woodwork and fit with the pale aesthetic.
Green accents add a fresh feel in the dining area.
It’s tempting to stick with white paint in kitchens, but this fresh, light green adds a more interesting flavour, especially as the units and worktops are neutral.
Green also goes well with the rich wood shades on the door, table and floor. “We’ve used quite a few shades of green throughout the house,” says Homan.
Walls painted in Cooking Apple Green, Farrow & Ball. Kitchen units, Magnet. Bespoke table, Robertson Lindsay.
Discover 10 style rules for the ultimate country kitchen
Green also goes well with the rich wood shades on the door, table and floor. “We’ve used quite a few shades of green throughout the house,” says Homan.
Walls painted in Cooking Apple Green, Farrow & Ball. Kitchen units, Magnet. Bespoke table, Robertson Lindsay.
Discover 10 style rules for the ultimate country kitchen
In the main bathroom, soft blue rules the day. Extending the colour beyond the walls onto the sloping ceiling gives the impression of cloudless skies, and blends with the view outside the window.
A skylight ensures this is a light, bright bathing space.
A skylight ensures this is a light, bright bathing space.
Using panelling all around the bath gives the room real charm. “The tongue-and-groove suits the rustic feel we’ve followed throughout the house,” says Homan. It’s also been used to provide a shelf for toiletries and flowers.
This home shows how you can bring country up to date with a few unique touches. An antique-style trunk repurposed as a bedside cabinet is way more characterful than your average bedside table. “It adds to the relaxed, vintage, country feel,” says Homan. The tongue-and-groove headboard further boosts the rustic-chic look.
The choice of headboard was practical, too. “This room can be used as either a twin or a kingsize with the beds joined together, and the headboard means it works for both layouts,” Homan says.
The choice of headboard was practical, too. “This room can be used as either a twin or a kingsize with the beds joined together, and the headboard means it works for both layouts,” Homan says.
Palest blue paint in the main bedroom adds to the airy feel. A blanket box is another country classic.
Walls painted in Skylight, Farrow & Ball.
Walls painted in Skylight, Farrow & Ball.
Comfort is key in this rustic retreat. Plenty of pillows on the beds, soothing artwork and lots of pretty mugs for tea and coffee are all appreciated by guests.
In the serene white and cream third bedroom, the balcony looks out over a local hillside. “The owners love this view,” says Homan.
The landing has been turned into a little work nook, making use of an otherwise wasted space.
Bespoke French-style chairs, Robertson Lindsay; upholstered in Colefax & Fowler fabric.
Bespoke French-style chairs, Robertson Lindsay; upholstered in Colefax & Fowler fabric.
The antique map adds a sense of place and history. “It shows the area where the farm is. The National Library of Scotland has millions of maps available to look at and will make large copies for you,” says Homan.
This is definitely a dog-friendly home: the owners have three pointers.
A glimpse of the shed’s original stone wall adds a dose of cottagey character.
A glimpse of the shed’s original stone wall adds a dose of cottagey character.
This is the downstairs “snug” or TV room. Once again, blue features prominently. “I do like using blue, as it’s so relaxing,” says Homan.
Blue stool, Oka.
Blue stool, Oka.
Great cushions rule the day in this abode, all ultra-tasteful and carefully chosen.
“When it comes to cushions, definitely use a good-quality feather pad,” says Homan. She also advises choosing your cushion fabrics at the same time as you pick your upholstery, but don’t play too safe. “I like to mix different patterns together so the room feels more individual and interesting.”
Bespoke piped blue sofa, Robertson Lindsay.
What do you think of this country retreat? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
“When it comes to cushions, definitely use a good-quality feather pad,” says Homan. She also advises choosing your cushion fabrics at the same time as you pick your upholstery, but don’t play too safe. “I like to mix different patterns together so the room feels more individual and interesting.”
Bespoke piped blue sofa, Robertson Lindsay.
What do you think of this country retreat? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here Retired couple Mel and Jane Thompson
Property A converted coaching shed on a farm, used as a guest annexe
Location Near St Andrews, Fife
Size 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Designer Sally Homan at Robertson Lindsay Interiors
Photos by Douglas Gibb
and Suzanne Black
When Mel and Jane Thompson bought a rambling, 188 acre farm back in 1999, it came complete with an old coaching shed in the grounds that had fallen into disrepair. The couple spent the next few years building up their herd of grass-fed cattle – and thought little else about it.
But when the shed’s roof finally collapsed several years later, it was the push they needed to convert this distinctive building into a tranquil retreat for guests.
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