From knocking through rooms to clocking up hundreds of hours in the garden, no corner has been left untouched. Its owner, Chris Myers, has handmade soft furnishings, restored furniture, and planted up an abundant cottage garden. While her husband Neil has repurposed salvaged materials in his workshop. The house was unloved and its garden an untamed wilderness before the couple took it on, and now with an extension, a refreshed downstairs layout, and that pretty veranda, the 1904 house in Buckinghamshire, UK, is one of the world’s best homes.
Homey kitchen
The couple decided to interconnect the kitchen, sitting room and dining room by knocking through the walls, starting with the kitchen. They didn’t want to change the original Edwardian look too much, but felt the changes wouldn’t detract from the appeal of the period property. In fact, if anything, the view towards the original sitting room fireplace has added to the kitchen. Kitchen ideas for this couple were always going to include a classic double Aga range cooker. Set into the original fireplace alcove, it has a nostalgic tiled backsplash featuring some classic delft style designs. On the floor are the original quarry tiles. A patchwork quilt serves as a tablecloth while mismatched vintage china displayed on dressers and on a plate rack completes the homey feel.
Dining room with vintage appeal
Dining room ideas take on a vintage Scandi flavor, with layers of winter whites alongside Gustavian-style cabinets and furniture. The wooden picket-fence pelmet above the original windows was handmade to replace an old fabric one that made the bay window treatment look too formal. The dining room doubles up for entertaining and for The Cozy Club’s group sewing and crafting sessions.
Living room
In the living room, the bay windows are dressed with curtains in Colefax & Fowler’s Bowood chintz. The original wooden fireplace is a reminder of the age of the property – almost 120 years old. Living room ideas cleverly combine comfortable touches with practical solutions. As elsewhere in the home, the floor is painted white to maximize the light in the room. An armchair has been covered in vintage French linen sheets, while a homemade quilt makes an excellent throw for the sofa. In the left-hand alcove, a salvaged wood door has been framed by books and hides the TV, while a curtain below hides other less attractive sitting room essentials.
Mud room and utility
The mud room was created as part of the building and additions made to the house. Boot room ideas worth copying from here include the simple brick floor, walls clad in tongue and groove paneling and storage created with an assortment of shelves. Even a space as small as this one can be given an appealing nostalgic look, with vintage fabrics, baskets and crates.
Beautiful bedrooms
Anyone looking for bedroom ideas can’t fail to be inspired by at least one of these exquisite bedroom schemes. We love this snug sleigh bed that’s a perfect fit in the first floor guest room. Layered with homemade cushions and quilts, and papered with a vintage Colefax & Fowler print, it’s the prettiest place to catch a few zzzzzs. The wooden storage crates, pine bed frame and antique wall cupboard bring additional warmth to the scheme.
Child’s room
This room has been kitted out for when the grandchildren come to stay and features more gingham, in assorted sized checks, and more patchwork quilts. The bedframe, one of two, is a Second World War hospital bed.
Attic room
With its dormer window tucked into the eaves, this attic room already lucked out in the cuteness stakes and that’s before the floral wallpaper was added right up onto the ceiling. More painted floorboards in here, and a small desk and comfy chair offer a quiet space to read and write.
Showstopping bathroom
Upstairs, all four bedrooms and three bathrooms have been updated or, more accurately, have been given vintage or period-style makeovers. However, the crowning glory of the couple’s bathroom ideas is this spacious en suite. Pre-extension, it had been the main bedroom but Chris and Neil wanted to create a larger bathroom with a view. They cleared the room and added a roll-top cast-iron bath in the bay window. The plumbing was easy but the biggest challenge was how to get the heavy tub upstairs. In the end, to save everyone’s backs professional movers were called in.
Veranda adds curb appeal
The inspiration for Chris’s front porch ideas came from her childhood memories of growing up in Canada. She loves the new space, where she can enjoy the garden and chat to passers-by. Shiplap cladding and a handmade, scallop-edged pelmet provide the hardware, while more cherished quilts, chintz fabrics and vintage furniture complete the look. The couple were keen to design something that looked part of the house.
Front of house
Even before you’ve set foot in this attractive Edwardian home you are greeted by an idyllic display from the abundant cottage-style garden, that tumbles through the country-style fence. A pebble and brick pathway guides you under the rose arch and to the front door.
The back of the house
All of the windows in the house are original, dating back to when the house was built in 1904. ‘They’re a bit draughty, especially in the winter, but I’d sooner freeze than change them!’ says Chris. Original feature and styling: Alice Roberton Photographs: Tamsyn Morgans (opens in new tab)
