Cotswold Country Residence

This project involved the reconfiguration of two listed Cotswold cottages into a single, cohesive country residence — conceived to bring people together with ease, while still allowing for moments of genuine quiet.

The original arrangement felt fragmented and impractical for modern life. There was no clear space for a generous kitchen, the main staircase was poorly positioned, and the layout did not comfortably accommodate guests. Beyond these constraints, the ambition was to create a home with a greater sense of theatre and occasion — something more considered than a straightforward rural conversion.

The design was shaped by a complete rethinking of how the combined cottages should function, creating a series of distinct yet interconnected spaces, each with a clearly defined purpose. A careful balance was established between more intimate, private moments — a dedicated breakfast room and fireside seating areas — and larger, more expressive spaces designed for entertaining. This duality allows the house to settle naturally into both quiet weekends and larger gatherings.

A separate guest wing was also introduced, complete with its own lounging area and kitchenette. This allows a degree of independence, where guests can move through the house on their own terms, without interrupting the rhythm of the main spaces — a considered response to the realities of extended hosting.

Bespoke joinery plays a central role in anchoring the scheme. In the principal suite, a full run of his-and-hers wardrobes spans the length of the room, clad in hand-stitched leather panels that introduce both texture and depth. The ensuite bathroom is conceived as a more atmospheric space, centred around a floor-to-ceiling antiqued mirror with a bronze frame and subtle rosette detailing.

Elsewhere, a standalone boot room was designed as a moment in its own right — lined with rustic oak panelling, a hessian ceiling, and punctuated by a 17th-century tapestry stretching the full width of the space.

The material palette draws on the Cotswolds vernacular — softened stone, aged oak and textured lime plaster — creating interiors that feel settled and enduring, as though they have always belonged to the house. These more architectural elements are layered with linens, silks and leather, bringing warmth, tactility and quiet refinement throughout.

The two cottages have been transformed into a cohesive eight-bedroom residence that now functions as a true country retreat. The house now moves easily between stillness and sociability — offering generous, shared spaces alongside quieter corners to withdraw to — with a clear rhythm that makes both everyday living and larger gatherings feel equally at home.