English Rose

Blousy florals and vintage finds conibine to Create a Felaxed feelin an 18th-century farmworker s cottage

We have only ever lived in old houses,' says Ruth Taylor, explaining the move from National Trust property Hinton Ampner, which à came with her husband James's job as an estate manager, to the Wiltshire cottage that is now their home.

'While it was fun living in a grand house, we really needed a place of our own, and it was important to us to find somewhere with immense old age, character and style.

This Grade II-listed, 18th-century thatched farmworker's cottage fitted the bill exactly. With much of its original character intact, the couple could embrace their naturally custodial attitude, while also having the freedom to put their own stamp on the place. They handled changes with a light touch, says Ruth, apart from the hall, where they felt they had to rip up an awful wooden block and tiled floor. The travertine flags they installed look as if they have always been there, she says.

At the time of their search, Ruth was also working for the National Trust. But these days she runs a locations business, Peagreen Locations, specialising in contemporary, country-style houses for photography and film - properties not unlike her own, in fact.