Houzz Tour: Cozy English Cottage That’s Light and Welcoming
This sweet home in Surrey mixes period charm with an airy, modern atmosphere
This impeccably decorated cottage is family-friendly, spacious and bright, but it didn’t start out that way. “The house was small, with just two bedrooms, and had limited light and space,” says interior designer Louise White of W Design Studio London, who helped transform the property. The owners chose the cottage for its location. “They loved the fact that it’s very close to a park and only a short drive into London,” White says. “They’re also close to family and good schools for the children. And they saw the potential to expand.”
Architect Peter Gardner of ADS and builders first set about extensively reconfiguring the space, creating four bedrooms and two bathrooms. White worked alongside them in terms of room layouts, lighting and detailing. Her goal was simple: “To help create a family-friendly space with a sense of fun and sophistication combined. The owners wanted a contemporary home with a country feel.”
Architect Peter Gardner of ADS and builders first set about extensively reconfiguring the space, creating four bedrooms and two bathrooms. White worked alongside them in terms of room layouts, lighting and detailing. Her goal was simple: “To help create a family-friendly space with a sense of fun and sophistication combined. The owners wanted a contemporary home with a country feel.”
The kitchen has an inviting, modern-rustic look. The cabinets are painted in a deep bronze, giving it depth, and contrast nicely with the white shutters, white counters and limestone floor, which has been laid in a traditional brick pattern. Half-moon pulls add to the country feel.
“It was important for the clients to maximize storage,” White says, so there’s a practical mixture of deep drawers and cabinets.
Finishing touches, such as wicker baskets on open shelves, bring in a variety of textures and help break up the dark cabinetry.
Cabinet paint: Railings, Farrow & Ball
Browse wicker baskets in the Houzz Shop
“It was important for the clients to maximize storage,” White says, so there’s a practical mixture of deep drawers and cabinets.
Finishing touches, such as wicker baskets on open shelves, bring in a variety of textures and help break up the dark cabinetry.
Cabinet paint: Railings, Farrow & Ball
Browse wicker baskets in the Houzz Shop
The home has plenty of character, including the classic Aga stove. “It creates warmth and is aesthetically pleasing, plus the owners enjoy cooking. It was essential to the heart of the home,” White says.
Cabinet paint: Pigeon, Farrow & Ball
Cabinet paint: Pigeon, Farrow & Ball
The elegant white countertop is quartz, which is harder-wearing than granite or marble, White says.
Read about quartz countertops
Read about quartz countertops
The kitchen and dining areas were combined to create a bigger, open-plan living area, helping to boost the overall feeling of space.
The dining zone has a relaxed feel, with a rustic wooden table and upholstered chairs and bench.
“The clients wanted a space for entertaining family and friends — a sophisticated dining area that didn’t look out of place next to the living area,” White says.
The dining zone has a relaxed feel, with a rustic wooden table and upholstered chairs and bench.
“The clients wanted a space for entertaining family and friends — a sophisticated dining area that didn’t look out of place next to the living area,” White says.
The living area is off the dining space and has a lovely view of the leafy garden.
“The French doors were put in to maximize light and access to the garden,” White says.
Lots of pillows, throws, books, candles and a beautiful wooden table make the living zone feel plush yet relaxed.
“This area is where the clients enjoy family time, so it was important that the flow of the space worked well and that it had a comfortable, relaxed feel,” White says.
“The French doors were put in to maximize light and access to the garden,” White says.
Lots of pillows, throws, books, candles and a beautiful wooden table make the living zone feel plush yet relaxed.
“This area is where the clients enjoy family time, so it was important that the flow of the space worked well and that it had a comfortable, relaxed feel,” White says.
Nothing beats a classic fireplace, especially one with open bricks and beam. But this one isn’t actually original to the home — it’s just done so cleverly that you can’t tell.
“The fireplace was put in with careful planning to make sure it looked like an original part of the house, and the client handpicked the reclaimed beams,” White says. A stove insert keeps things cozy and avoids the hassle of an open fire.
“The fireplace was put in with careful planning to make sure it looked like an original part of the house, and the client handpicked the reclaimed beams,” White says. A stove insert keeps things cozy and avoids the hassle of an open fire.
A simple garland strung across a shelf, along with a star light, adds a sweet touch in the kids’ room.
The hallmarks of this house are whites and light shades combined with carefully chosen pieces that are subtle yet stylish, like this chic pouf, rug and patterned radiator cover.
The owners chose carpeting for the upstairs “to create a cozy atmosphere and to help with sound absorption,” White says.
The owners chose carpeting for the upstairs “to create a cozy atmosphere and to help with sound absorption,” White says.
A tepee, sheepskin and cushions create a fun corner for the kids to play in.
“We brought in an element of lightheartedness with details such as the fun yet elegant wallpaper in the children’s room, and the use of encaustic tiles in the family bathroom,” White says.
“It was important the house had space for the children to play,” she adds. “However, while the property had to be family-friendly, it was also essential that it retained a sophisticated feel for the grown-ups too.”
Find children’s teepees in the Houzz Shop
“We brought in an element of lightheartedness with details such as the fun yet elegant wallpaper in the children’s room, and the use of encaustic tiles in the family bathroom,” White says.
“It was important the house had space for the children to play,” she adds. “However, while the property had to be family-friendly, it was also essential that it retained a sophisticated feel for the grown-ups too.”
Find children’s teepees in the Houzz Shop
The master bedroom is the owners’ favorite space, with its high ceilings, exposed beam and layers of natural textures.
It continues the light, airy feel. “It was important for the clients to have as much natural light as possible,” White says. “By painting the property an off-white color throughout, this complemented the natural elements such as the ceiling beams, while helping to throw the natural light around.”
The master bedroom has curtains, not blinds, to ensure the room is dark enough at night.
It continues the light, airy feel. “It was important for the clients to have as much natural light as possible,” White says. “By painting the property an off-white color throughout, this complemented the natural elements such as the ceiling beams, while helping to throw the natural light around.”
The master bedroom has curtains, not blinds, to ensure the room is dark enough at night.
A double sink is ideal for families, especially if two children (or adults) need to brush their teeth at the same time.
Beige subway tiles in the shower create an elegant feel and add more interest than plain white ones.
“My favorite room is the family bathroom, with its patterned encaustic tiles, free-standing bath and custom cabinetry for the sink,” White says.
The eye-catching bath adds a sculptural touch and includes a shower.
Before and After: 6 Dream Bathrooms That Free the Tub
The eye-catching bath adds a sculptural touch and includes a shower.
Before and After: 6 Dream Bathrooms That Free the Tub
The family wanted a fun touch in the hall, so bright encaustic tiles were laid here as well. The tiles are also practical if you want to wipe up muddy paw prints.
“The tiles were tracked down in Belgium and are handmade with custom designs,” White says.
Hooks and a storage bench keep things practical, while the “Relax” sign sums up what this home is all about.
“The tiles were tracked down in Belgium and are handmade with custom designs,” White says.
Hooks and a storage bench keep things practical, while the “Relax” sign sums up what this home is all about.
The front door is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Mizzle.
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Who lives here: A couple with two young children and a dog
Location: Surrey, England
Size: Four bedrooms, two bathrooms
Designer: Louise White of W Design Studio London
The most striking thing about this home is the light, uplifting feel it has throughout. It features classic details but with a modern touch.
“I’d describe the style of this house as contemporary, timeless, sophisticated country,” White says.
The essential ingredient is a soft, natural palette, which creates an impression of space but without losing the cozy cottage feel or seeming impersonal.
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