Houzz Tour: New Comforts in the Cotswolds

This house on the edge of the Cotswolds, England, was originally designed in 1911 by Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott, a prominent architect during Britain’s Arts and Crafts movement. Determined to restore the historic home while adding modern conveniences, the new owners commissioned an architect to do a structural restoration before inviting designer Gabriel Holland to work on the interior.

Holland had worked with the owners before and had a handle on their style, “but the rich heritage of this Grade II listed property made it all the more fascinating,” she says. The couple wanted a contemporary scheme that respected the details and history of the house, and would also accommodate relaxed family living. “They didn’t want to live in an Arts and Crafts museum,” says Holland. “The key was to bring it up to date by using traditional prints and fabrics in a contemporary context.”

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family with 2 children
Location: The Cotswolds, near Banbury, England
Year built: 1911
Designer: Gabriel Holland, Gabriel Holland Interior Design
Size: 8 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms

The house has many of its original features, such as stone-mullioned windows, timber doors, ironwork and fireplaces. It also has an original Arts and Crafts garden on the extensive grounds.

It “feels like the perfect English country home in miniature. None of the rooms are too large; it’s the perfect scale,” says Holland.


Soft gray walls create depth and warmth in the formal sitting room, which features an original fireplace and a timber floor. Holland had sofas from the owners’ previous home reupholstered in a muted fabric with a hint of silver running through it to complement the walls and give the look a fresh, modern twist. “Gray can look classic and contemporary at the same time, which is exactly what we’ve tried to achieve here,” Holland says.

Two glimmering chandeliers create an eye-catching feature in the room and add a touch of 1920s glamour to the scheme. “They’re a little later than the period of the house, but they really work in this space,” says Holland.

Wall paint: Charleston Gray, Farrow & Ball; ceiling pendant: Aria, Laura Ashley


The built-in window seat is an original feature that overlooks the Arts and Crafts garden. Fabrics with floral and leaf motifs reference the garden outside.

Pillow and window seat fabric: Merulina, Nobilis


A smaller and more informal TV room is where the family members spend most of their time together. “The whole family can pile onto the sofa in here, so there are no airs and graces,” Holland says.

Sofa: Astoria, Laura Ashley


“We wanted to add a bit of drama and interest to the TV room — purple is a popular choice with the family, and it gives the space a contemporary edge,” says Holland.

Wall paint: Pelt, Farrow & Ball


Oak timber doors, complete with period ironwork, open to the hallway. The stone flooring is all original in this part of the house. “I simply added lanterns in here, which are in keeping with the style,” Holland says.


“The woman of the house runs her professional cake business from here, so generous kitchen storage and a large island for food preparation was a must,” says Holland. A local woodworker made units that Holland designed, which were then painted in shades of gray to give the classic style a more contemporary edge. “It had to be a working kitchen — we didn’t want it to feel too old-fashioned, so touches like the gray color scheme and the chrome pendants really pull it back into the 21st century,” she says.

Cabinetry paint: Pavilion Gray and Manor House Gray, both by Farrow & Ball; pendant lights: Original BTC Titan


For the kitchen blinds, Holland chose a yellow-green fabric with a hint of red running through it to offset the gray cabinetry.


A smattering of more classic country-style pieces references the property’s heritage. “We went for traditional timber worktops and a butler sink to keep a sense of authenticity in this part of the house,” Holland says. Grooves carved into the wood form a neat built-in drainboard.


Floor-to-ceiling cupboards in the utility room conceal household machinery, as well as an underfloor heating system. “This is obviously a very functional space, but it’s still a lovely room to spend time in while doing household chores,” says Holland. “It also has a fabulous relationship with the garden, and the views make tasks more enjoyable.”

Cabinet paint: Blue Gray; wall paint: Clunch, both by Farrow & Ball


An open-plan dining area just off the kitchen “is a vibrant, relaxed space, so it was important to incorporate some contemporary touches here,” Holland says. Dark green-blue paint plays off the gray in the adjacent kitchen.

Wall paint: Squid Ink, Paint & Paper Library


The formal, double-height dining room features original oak timber paneling typical of Baillie Scott’s architecture. “The paneling is a stunning feature in this room, but I wanted to make it feel more intimate and enclosed,” Holland describes. “The height of the space can feel a bit intimidating, so I chose a strong, dark color for the walls and lowered the ceiling lights to create a more cozy atmosphere.”

Pendant: Healthfield & Co., Occa-Home


A pale timber balustrade leads downstairs to the classic hallway. “As with the rest of the house, this space is intended to be very calming and peaceful — it has a gentle feel to it,” says Holland. “The owners lead very busy lives, so their home has to be a restful place for them to spend time.”

The red stripe in the stair runner adds a subtle hint of color. “I’ve wanted to use this sisal runner from Kersaint Cobb for a long time. It’s a perfect fit for this house, as it treads the line between classic and contemporary,” she says.

Stair runner: Meknes, Kersaint Cobb





Glorious views of the garden take center stage in the master bedroom. Holland kept this room muted, adding warmth with a cream-colored wool rug and a dark stain on the original wood floor.

Wall paint: Chalk WM1P, Morris & Co., via Chapel Interiors


The embroidered curtain fabric nods to tradition but stays up-to-date with a contemporary design. “We’ve kept it very simple — this room is all about lying in bed and looking at the garden,” Holland says.

Curtains: Cocoa fabric 330148, Zoffany


“The owner wanted the freestanding bath to be in the center of the en suite bathroom,” Holland says. “It works really well because it’s a spacious room.”

Farrow & Ball wallpaper around the original fireplace, new engineered oak flooring and custom cabinetry give the room muted glamour.

Chimney front wallpaper: Rosslyn, Farrow & Ball; wall paint: Hemp WM25M, Morris & Co., via Chapel Interiors


Silver mosaic tiles glisten in the walk-in shower at the other side of the bathroom. “I didn’t want anything too dramatic here. I wanted to keep it simple but luxurious,” Holland says.

Mosaic tiles: Malacassa, Fired Earth

URL: Houzz Tour: New Comforts in the Cotswolds http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-25021.html