Exploring a Soulful 18th-Century Cotswolds Home

Veering off course today – hey, it’s Friday! Sharing a home tour outside of Scandinavia is my new rock ’n’ roll, and honestly, it’s about as wild as I get these days (at least that's what I tell my teenagers ;). But this isn’t just any home – oh no. This is the archetypal English dream house.

Set in the rolling hills of Gloucestershire, overlooking the breathtaking Five Valleys region, this beauty lies within the Cotswolds National Park. Built in 1720, it has a magnificent limestone façade – the kind you might expect to see in a Hollywood Christmas film, complete with a dusting of snow and twinkling lights.

One of the first things I noticed – and I don’t know if this is just a British thing or not – is that the main front door of these grand old homes is often purely for show. There’s nearly always a side or back door that sees all the real action. I say this because, firstly, in this house the front door opens straight into the sitting room (with nowhere to hang your coat or kick off your boots!), and secondly, at both my grandparents’ and my parents’ homes we never used the front door. In fact, I’m not even sure we could open my grandma’s front door without a bit of a battle – it was wedged in so tightly!

Anyway, once inside, there are all kinds of delights waiting. Oh, to have those wonderfully higgledy-piggledy floors and walls, with one step up here and another down there! It’s the perfect foundation for a home brimming with soul, brought to life through playful modern touches and little bursts of surprise – think jewel-yellow pendants, a red chair, an orange desk lamp – all of which create a charming juxtaposition against the property's timeless heritage. 

So, come on – follow me through the back door, and let’s take a tour!

So lovely! 

I absolutely love this home (you know I am a real sucker for old houses), but I also love the dots of colour, which are not overly done, but just enough to add personality, a contemporary twist and interest to each room. 

I'd love to hear about your impressions below.

Is it Ok if we complete the week with a tour of a few more beautiful English homes? Why not pour another coffee and check out: 

A 17th century english farmhouse

Global soul, english heart in a London townhouse

A cosy cliffside hideaway in Devon

Step inside the cosy world of a collector

A beautiful home in Nottinghamshire

Thank you so much for stopping by this little corner of the web—and for all your comments and emails—always great to read! Have a great weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Inigo, shared with thanks. 

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A Cosy Welsh Cottage and Its Gentle Wolfhound Host

When I was little, we used to visit the Lake District, a mountainous and breathtakingly beautiful area in England, where we’d spend our days walking in the fells. We always stayed in a stone cottage, its electricity powered by a coin-fed meter. A small stream ran through the garden, and we’d spend hours playing in it. Needless to say, those visits remain etched in my memory.

So when I came across this cottage today, it instantly took me back to that very place.

Although it’s not in the same location, this one is actually in Llanwrthwl, Wales, it bears many similarities. Tucked away on a quiet Welsh hillside, the four-bedroom farmhouse known as Bwlch Coch has a timeless, storybook quality. The core of the house dates back to the 17th century, though some elements are thought to be far older, reaching back around 700 years. Step inside and the history is impossible to miss: oak panels in the living room are believed to have once belonged to a ship, and a broad inglenook fireplace anchors the home, a reminder of centuries of warmth and gathering.

The renovation has been carried out with care, highlighting the original character while ensuring it’s a warm and welcoming place to be (with a hint of modern too - keep an eye out for the pendants and art photography!), surrounded by beautiful hills.

The perfect retreat to get us in the mood for the weekend!

How unbelievably cosy. I can almost feel that lovely, damp, cool air and the warmth of the toasty fire (did you see all those books stacked on the coffee table waiting to be read?. And how cute is the Irish Wolfhound? I bet he loves his walks!

Was there anything that stood out to you about this charming Welsh cottage?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing in my love for exploring beautiful homes.

Niki

Photography courtesy of Inigo, with thanks. 

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Laid-Back Living in a London Terrace

I always feel a wave of nostalgia from my childhood in England at this time of year — those darker evenings, the cold, damp air, the rustle of leaves underfoot. It takes me straight back to my autumn school uniform, running out onto the hockey field in nothing but shorts and an airtex T-shirt, legs a mottled blue, and the promise of Guy Fawkes Night just around the corner. It’s funny how the seasons have a way of stirring up old memories. What time of year makes you feel nostalgic? Is it a scent, a sound, a shift in the light?

Anyway, that’s my very long-winded way of saying… today’s home tour feels wonderfully, unmistakably British. One of those classic terraced houses tucked away in West Norwood, built in the late Victorian era. The house itself is simple in structure, but full of character – a relaxed space layered with art, books, and collected treasures. The kitchen, with its stained glass windows, well-loved table by the window, and practical, unfussy design, feels lived in rather than styled. And in the living room, throws, checks, stripes, and textures create the kind of quiet warmth that makes a house feel like home. Oh, and keep an eye out for the playful wavy touch in the sitting room - it makes me wonder about the person who lives here. I'm guessing they work in the creative world somehow! 

All in all a simple home with plenty of heart – the very best kind, in my eyes. Welcome to the tour!

What I loved most about this home are all the thoughtful, personal touches that make it feel truly lived in. The checked throw in the living room add a playful layer of warmth, while the little alcove by the garden door — with its sofa bathed in natural light — offers the perfect reading spot. I also love the way old and new sit so comfortably together here: a mix of vintage wooden pieces with a clean, modern bathroom, and art in the kitchen that brings such character to an otherwise simple space. What details caught your eye? I’d love to hear.

Fancy pouring yourself a cup of tea and exploring a few more British homes today? How about a look at these: 

A breathtaking home in Edinburgh that celebrates slow living
Old meets new in a eclectic London townhouse
A dreamy Cornish escape

Thank you for indulging me and coming along on a little virtual trip to this lovely house in London today — I hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend,

Niki 

P.S. Thank you so much for all your kind comments. I absolutely love reading them — you do so much to create such a warm, positive community here and truly bring this blog to life. I’m looking forward to replying to them shortly!

Photography courtesy of Inigo with thanks. 

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White & Faded: Touring Janet Parrella-van den Berg’s Tuscan Sanctuary

Borta är bra, hemma bäst (away is good, but home is best) - so the Swedish saying goes. And really, there’s no place like home. It’s our very own personal space where we can control the environment and simply be ourselves. When it comes to decorating, there’s no “right” or “wrong” way — it’s all down to personal taste.

Some love to fill their home with joyful colours and a riot of patterns to maximise energy. Others prefer nostalgia, surrounding themselves with treasures collected over time. And then there are those who long for calm minimalism, creating an oasis in which to clear the mind from the noise of the outside world and recuperate in quiet.

The latter is the path Janet Parrella-van den Berg has chosen for her home. An abstract artist and author of White & Faded, Janet — together with her husband, Dino — is the creative force behind the UK-based brand White & Faded, as well as a beautiful property in Lucca, Tuscany, just half an hour from Pisa. Their focus is on restoring old homes and furniture, breathing new life into everything they touch while inspiring clients and followers to embrace stylish, sustainable living.

Now, we’re invited to step inside their Tuscan retreat — an Italian country house full of history, lovingly pared back to reveal its timeless charm. Here, Janet has created a sanctuary painted almost entirely in white. The soft palette enhances natural light, highlights the building's original character, and sets the stage for her philosophy of calm, understated elegance. As she explains: “I couldn’t think of any better colour than white in my home — feared by so many, but loved at the same time.”

Let's take a peek inside. 

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a home so dedicated to white on here.I can certainly see the white and the faded — true to Janet's signature style. The result is a perfect source of inspiration for anyone who loves to keep things minimal, fresh, and timeless.

Are you a fan of white in your own home, or do you prefer to admire it in the spaces of others? 

If you are feeling inspired, here are few tips on the best way to work with white in your home: 

• Layer your whites. Mix warm and cool tones (ivory, cream, chalk, linen) to add depth and avoid a flat, clinical look.

• Play with texture. Use natural materials like linen, wood, stone, and wool to bring warmth and interest to a white room.

• Let light do the work. White walls reflect natural light beautifully, so keep windows uncluttered to maximise brightness.

• Balance with accents. A hint of greenery, rustic wood, or black iron details can anchor the space and make the white feel even fresher.

• Keep it practical. Washable slipcovers, matte finishes, and wipeable paints make living with white much easier.

Would you like to see a few more homes with a white theme? I love:

Leanne Ford's beautiful white guest house
A beautiful Swedish home as white as it's snowy surroundings

50 shades of white in a serene Swedish home

Happy Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography: Janet Parella-van den Berg, shared with kind permission. 

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