Some of the beauty of the Cotswolds stems from the picturesque villages that seem to grow out of the landscape. Many residents, hoteliers and guest house owners in this area of outstanding natural beauty do their very best to create timeless interiors sympathetic to that of their surroundings. Here, we take a peek at how they do it so you can steal the Cotswolds country living style.

Traditional rooms

Larger properties in the Cotswolds benefit from drawing rooms. These have high ceilings, wooden floors and often panelling. Over at the Cotswold Rectory, panels are painted white to make the room fresh and airy. Nude tones are complemented with original furnishing and punches of colour to help larger items pop out.

If you don’t benefit from high ceilings or space for larger furniture you can still create a stunning drawing room. Opt for some shelves where you can arrange books to create a mini-library or use artistic wallpaper in the alcoves.

Be sure you have a variety of seating and select furniture that is comfortable enough for an afternoon nap, but elegant enough for hosting company. Think about bespoke fabrics and coordinate with complementing shades for the walls.  In drawing rooms, seating is arranged so that all guests have a clear view of each other (rather than the entertainment system!).

The heart of the home

The kitchens evident in both the quaint villages and stately homes are cosy and have a rural feel. They feature timber cabinets, wooden worktops and plenty of crockery. The kitchen units and dining tables are often painted in ivory or French grey, others go with a distressed theme which is super easy to create yourself.

If you have the room, one prime investment is a dresser. It can become a focal point and also accentuate some of your prized ornaments, recipe books and dinnerware. An island can make a large kitchen look more inviting. Traditionally, cooks would gather round a table in the centre to cater for the family and having a central station is still very popular. 

Bedtime in the countryside

For the bedroom you’ll need to blend floral fabrics with peaceful hues and vintage accessories. Consider layers for the bed itself to add depth and richness. White or pastel bed sheets or duvets can be teamed with patchwork quilt throws or floral cushions. Walls should be plain with delicate lighting and exposed wood can create relaxed rustic features.

Let the light in to dine

Many villagers use conservatories to create an additional light-filled space to the rear of properties, bringing the outside in. Soft pastel and gingham sofas are evident to create a clashing pattern theme. Having this space gives home owners a great view of their own gardens but also an opportunity to have a dining area perfect for having guests over.

Secret garden

The quintessential hidden gardens of the Cotswolds can only be achieved with an investment in time. The complexity of rose-lined fences, brimming flower beds and intertwined foliage are enough to make anyone fall in love with the area but can also put-off those who aren’t quite green-fingered. Renowned landscape gardeners such as Justin Spink can be commissioned to create picture-perfect gardens. His work is regularly featured in Vogue magazine.

If you don’t have the budget, don’t break the bank. Introduce some of these beautiful flowers instead. Delphiniums are a classic garden plant, producing blue spires of bloom. Achilleas are a must for a traditional mixed border and produce flat flower heads of creamy yellow which contrast wonderfully against green grass.  Finally, to create height, plant Hollyhock. With deep blackcurrant flowers towering to two metres, hollyhocks look great against walls, fences and can even be grown in gravel.

For some added inspiration, take a look at our blog on French country style.