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Inspiration

A Cosy Country Cottage at Christmas

Creating the perfect cosy Christmas setting

 

Tucked away in the beautiful countryside of Somerset, this charming stone cottage, once a workers' cottage on a dairy farm, embodies the perfect cosy Christmas setting. Extended with a later side addition, housing the kitchen and an attached sunroom overlooking the garden, the property is a sanctuary for Amanda (@mysimplehome) and her husband, Richard. Their daughter, Belle (@just_belle), a talented photographer and stylist, also lives on the property in a recently converted barn, ensuring the whole family is close for the festive season.

Images credit: Belle Daughtry @just_belle & Plain English Design

For the family, Christmas is a treasured time to come together

This year marks their fourth Christmas in this beloved home; a celebration shared with Belle's three brothers who all join them in Somerset. Traditions are key to their festive preparation: the Christmas tree is sourced from a local family in the village and sits proudly in the sunroom, visible both from the kitchen and the garden.

 

The cottage is filled with seasonal scents, as Belle bakes gingerbread to hang on the tree – a mix of cinnamon and cloves that permeate the air – and makes mince pies using homemade mincemeat from a kind neighbour. Adding a touch of natural beauty, they pot up indoor bulbs in antique pottery and tureens, placing them around the cottage on windowsills and the kitchen table.

 

The cottage kitchen is a prime example of thoughtful design in a small, cosy space. With its low, cladded ceilings, every design choice was made to maximise the feel of the room. They opted for British Standard by Plain English cabinetry, a choice they loved and missed from their previous Suffolk home, which allowed them to design the space piece by piece. A single long run of cupboards along the longest wall was chosen to avoid surrounding the room with cabinetry, which could have made it feel smaller.

The Shaws Bowland 800 Sink is the true focal point

The Aga is undoubtedly the hub, ‘always humming away’ and a place to warm up on cold days. However, the true focal point is the large Shaws Bowland 800 sink, which sits centrally beneath the kitchen window. Perfectly paired with handcrafted Ionian  Crosstop Bibcock Taps by Perrin & Rowe in a pewter finish, the sink is often the first thing visitors comment on.

 

Amanda and Richard deliberately chose the Shaws Bowland fluted sink in the bigger size, a decision they found to be the best for both daily life and festive prep – ideal for filling with large pots and pans or for displaying overflows of flowers and apples from the garden. The low ceiling was embraced with warm wood cladding and open slatted shelves offering a tidy space to display cherished treasures.

 

At Christmas, the windowsill transforms into a beautiful display

The sink's positioning is particularly helpful during the festive period. It sits beneath a deep sash window, which the owners love to fill with a collection of trinkets and pottery. At Christmas, this windowsill transforms into a beautiful display, abundant with pots of bulbs, candlesticks, and bowls of vintage baubles. It is their favourite place to stand while washing up, looking out over the garden.

 

In the build up to Christmas, Amanda and Belle always watch The Holiday, and their Christmas decorating is certainly inspired by Iris’ cosy cottage from the film. Another significant inspiration comes from Brook Cottage, the home of Christina Strutt, founder of Cabbages & Roses, who Belle has previously worked with. She had created a kitchen filled with the cosiest elements – a roaring inglenook fire, cabinetry brimming with books and china, C&R prints, red tartan stockings, and an ethereal ‘curtain of fairy lights everywhere.’ A perfect December scene.

In the years since the initial two-month renovation, the kitchen space has naturally evolved. A freestanding pantry cupboard was added to address a lack of storage for provisions, and the main dining table was replaced with a table and bench seating. The benches can be tucked under, providing essential easy walkways when the family is cooking or entertaining.

 

Christmas Day begins with a slow start, as everyone gathers in the kitchen for breakfast while opening cards and gifts. The family heads out for a mid-morning Christmas Day walk while lunch is cooking, with the boys often popping to the local pub for a festive drink. The main Christmas feast is served later in the day, preceded by light starters of soup and nibbles. They finish the day tucked up in the sitting room by the fire, enjoying puddings, Baileys, and board games – the perfect end to a cosy country cottage Christmas.