Buckinghamshire Cottage Renovation
This beautiful Buckinghamshire country home was designed by Decorbuddi Jo Miller to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for socialising with friends and family.
Relaxed & Inviting
The five-bedroomed detached property, located in the Chiltern Hills is surrounded by a large country garden and blessed with a spectacular view overlooking a wooded valley.
Even before they bought it, the owner’s saw the potential to change the existing extension into a much more sociable open-plan living area with plenty of space to entertain friends and family.
Jo was called in to help with every aspect of the project. “We worked closely with Jo through-out the whole process. She knew what we liked, and we were happy to let her use her judgement as the house evolved.”
All of the elements were carefully designed to work together to create a quiet and calming environment to relax in and enjoy. The natural stone, gentle blue colour pallette, wood and wicker materials combine to link the interior to the countryside.
The redesign included a new roof lantern to make the most of the natural light in the entertaining area of the kitchen. Jo chose oversized Nkuku pendants, in perfect proportion, to hang over the table, draw the eye and set the tone for the interior design.
The cooking and entertaining areas are cleverly linked together by the choice of the same blue colour on the central island and dresser, both from Neptune.
Warm & Light
The choice of flooring is always an important aspect of any renovation project as it sets the tone and either zones or allows a natural flow throughout. In this case, the existing dark slate floor was removed and replaced with an elegant, light limestone from Artisans of Devises across the entire area.
Good storage was essential to house the more functional equipment required for excellent entertaining and to display the client’s collection of ceramics, glass and decorative pieces. These personal touches add depth and character, creating a more personal and inviting home.
Layer upon layer of natural materials is central to the success of the scheme. Simple wood shelves are placed either side of the aga and across the back wall to store glass and ceramics and allow light even into the darkest corners.
With attention to every detail, Jo designed a birch-ply panelled wall behind the dresser.
Boot Room & Utility
Equal care and consideration were given to the more practical areas of the house – the boot room and utility spaces. Maximum storage space was achieved with seamless floor to ceiling fitted units painted to link to the main kitchen space.
Jo added tongue and groove painted panelling cupboards and a useful shelf above the butler sink, washing machine and tumble dryer.
Cosy Living Room
The project is continuing on a phase-by-phase basis. There is no rush as the house is a delight to live in as it is. The cozy living room has been updated with a fresh coat of paint, new furniture and decor. The bedrooms and bathroom will be updated in good time. In the meantime, this stunning country house has become a warm and welcoming home to live in, entertain and enjoy.
Credits:
Decorbuddi: Jo Miller
Photographer: Chris Snook Photography