A festive 16th-century stone cottage in Wiltshire
French Regency furniture and traditional English architecture make for a harmonious match in a welcoming country home brimming with charm


The dilapidated state of this Wiltshire cottage was just one of the reasons it was such an attractive purchase for the owners. There was quite a bit to be done. The rooms were dark, the decoration was dated and the layout needed to be reworked to reflect the homeowners' lifestyle.
See: Cottage decorating ideas – charming ways to get a characterful look
With regular visits from their family, including three grandchildren, they wanted plenty of room for guests. 'At one end of the original building, we added a two-storey extension to create a sitting room and a kitchen-dining room on the ground floor, with our bedroom and bathroom above,' they say.
'We also decided to reconfigure the narrow staircase, enlarge the entrance hall and knock down internal walls upstairs so we could create two more spacious bedrooms and a bathroom.'
- See some of the world's best homes – beautiful properties from around the globe
The property
A definitive age for the property has been hard to pinpoint as it is actually two cottages that have long since been knocked into one, but parts of the building date back to the 16th century, as the elm beams and aged floorboards testify. 'Uncovering smaller cross beams behind a false ceiling in the snug was definitely one of the highlights of the renovation,' says the owner. 'But sandblasting them to remove the many layers of thick dirt and stubborn black paint was a nightmare – it created clouds of dust that found their way through the house.'
To make a bright backdrop for the couple’s classic paintings, family heirlooms and intriguing bespoke furniture, the owner chose pale wall colors throughout. 'I must have had the coffee table in the sitting room for about thirty years,' she says. 'I had a carpenter build it and cover it with a tapestry I bought.'
Many of the French pieces were collected when the owner worked as an interior designer, and when they had a holiday home in Brittany. French chairs in the sitting room, which were originally upholstered in a pale blue silk, have since been recovered in a Laura Ashley fabric. With refreshing candour, the owner says that she has no qualms at all about weaving high-street buys in with her antique finds. 'I was over the moon when I spotted the French-style rug in Devon’s Trago Mills; it complements the armchairs perfectly.'
With the renovations now complete, the owners are able to make the most of their children and grandchildren’s frequent visits. There is plenty of room for all to stay, and everyone enjoys mingling in the new kitchen-dining room and sitting room. Christmas is particularly special in the renovated home. 'I decorate in a traditional way and on Christmas Eve, the grandchildren leave letters for Father Christmas on a table beside the fireplace, together with mince pies and sherry for him and a carrot for Rudolph. Then we all hang stockings on the beam, including ones for the dogs,' she says. 'I also like to follow the French tradition of throwing a big dinner party that evening, just as my mother used to do.' A joyeux Noël indeed.
Sitting room
'I spent ages sketching plans for the inglenook fireplace,' says the owner. 'Once I was happy with the design, I bought a reclaimed wooden beam then the stone was given an aged effect so it would look original.'
Entrance hall
'I adore painted furniture, but I prefer French over English as the pieces tend to be finer, more detailed and shapelier,' says the owner.
Kitchen-dining area
Part of the reason for extending the property was to create a kitchen-dining space for large family occasions. The Wilsons also wanted to make the back of the house symmetrical by ensuring it matched an existing extension on the opposite sideof the original building.
For cottage kitchen ideas, don't miss our inspiring image gallery.
Snug
'This is our favourite room,' says the owner. The couple light a fire in here almost every night. 'We installed Dovre wood burnersin both the snug and the sitting room – you can open them up to enjoy the fire in all its glory.'
Bathroom
The unevenness of the floor in here meant it could not be tiled like the other bathrooms, so the couple chose Amtico flooring. The owner found the sailing picture in the loft of one of their previous homes.
For more cottage bathroom ideas, don't miss our dedicated gallery.
Guest bedroom
Accents of blue balance the ornate furniture in a room that the owners’ twin grandchildren call their own. 'They feel grown-up in here,' she says.
Main bedroom
To give the sawn timber beams used in this new space an aged look, the owner commissioned Renaissance Beams to treat them using a specialist water-based process.
Photography/Jonathan Gooch
Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.
-
-
Best cordless vacuum cleaners 2022: 8 of the best vacuums for cord-free cleaning
These are the best cordless vacuum cleaners for added convenience in your home
By Jaclyn Turner • Published
-
Common houseplant pests – and 6 natural ways to get rid of them for good
Experts explain how to get rid of common houseplant pests in six easy, natural steps
By Chiana Dickson • Published
-
Color magic – how bold and unexpected choices fill this townhouse with joy
Unusual color combos along with classic textiles and the prettiest patterns make this suburban home something special
By Karen Darlow • Published
-
French style and coastal vibes give this historic thatched cottage a fresh look
Balancing period features with bright and airy interiors, this typically English cottage offers the best of both worlds
By Karen Darlow • Published
-
This coach house has New England style, with inviting decks and open-plan living
Channelling the style and luxury of holiday spots around the world, an old stable block became a cozy, year-round retreat
By Karen Darlow • Published
-
This pretty farmhouse home is full of inspiring and artistic decorative touches
This country home was dark and gloomy – but look at it now! Full of inspiring pattern and color after an artistic makeover
By Karen Darlow • Published
-
The renovation of this Georgian cottage uncovered features dating back 300 years
This 18th-century village home was full of secrets waiting to be revealed beneath layers of plaster and cement
By Karen Darlow • Published
-
9 beautiful design tips worth borrowing from this converted Georgian church
Interior designer Dean Keyworth renovated a former church, giving it a colorful new look that's guaranteed to lift the spirits
By Karen Darlow • Published
-
Stepping out of the comfort zone paid off for the owners of this Georgian home
A major renovation and bold interior choices breathed new life into this historic English country home
By Karen Darlow • Published
-
How to paint a house exterior
Discover how to paint a house exterior for a professional, authentic finish with long-lasting results
By Holly Reaney • Published