I thought it was magical,' says Sarah Stanley of the first time she saw the fairytale-painted rubble and cob cottage with its wheat reed thatched roof near the north Cornish coast. 'It was such a pretty cottage and I fell in love with it there and then.' Sarah and her husband Andy had been looking for a holiday home in Cornwall when Sarah's niece spotted the property online and alerted her. 'Inside it had a lovely farmhouse feel with its large kitchen, which was part of the original dairy. The cottage felt surprisingly spacious and it had a warmth that we loved.
Although the house was in a good state structurally, it was rather dated. 'It had a deep purple carpet going up the stairs and a light pink one in the living room,' says Sarah. 'But although the decor wasn't right, I knew we could transform it into something special.'
This story is from the December 2023 edition of Country Homes & Interiors.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2023 edition of Country Homes & Interiors.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
I'm reconstructing the designs of nature in my embroidery
Dried flower embroiderer, Olga Prinku
LOVE IS IN THE (FRESH) AIR
Country life can bring extra complications to modern romance. Kitty Corrigan talks to three women about the reality of rural dating, divorce and settling down – and why love can find a way
'Our work is all about love
A deep respect for people and the planet, as well as each other, underpins life and business for ethical entrepreneur
ARTFUL BLEND
A rich mix of bold colour, unique finds and abstract art converge in the weatherboard coastal cottage of artist Caroline Yates
THE ART OF TILING
Treat the walls and floor of your bathroom as a blank canvas, ready to be transformed with the simple addition of beautiful tiles
TOOLS FOR THE JOB
New or old, tools that are treated with a little TLC will make life in the garden easier and more productive. Now's the time to give them the consideration they deserve
Tales from the country
Did her love life take a dive when she moved to the Peaks? Ask the man in matching wellies, Tessa says
WARMTH & SIMPLICITY
We chose reclaimed wherever we could,' explains Lee Thornley, the creative and business brain behind artisan tile company Bert & May, about the details he incorporated into the North Yorkshire home he shares with partner Phil Brocklebank and their children, Lyla and Iris.
Just the two of us
Rustle up this special meal for a date night at home - dippy, drizzled, oozy and boozy dishes create a feast that's perfectly designed for sharing
NEW ROMANTICS
Garden designer Jo Thompson has made her name creating charming, dreamy gardens to fall in love with. She shares her recipe for planting romance with us
