Anita's Cosy Little Cottage in the Cotswolds (before and after)

I hope you can humour me by visiting the Cotswolds one more time (after the house in Friday’s post) — after all, it’s such a beautiful part of England! This time, I’m taking you on a tour of Anita Russell’s very cosy little cottage. Anita has been busy renovating the house one room at a time, transforming it into a charming place to snuggle up in during autumn and winter — surrounded by beautiful warm tones, vintage furniture, country accessories, pretty wallpaper, and a roaring fire.

I couldn’t resist sharing some before pictures so you can see the incredible work that has gone into turning this house into a cosy family home - which is as snug as can be in Autumn time. 

So, get ready to wrap up, pour yourself a warm drink, and get in the mood for a cosy English cottage!

Kitchen before

Kitchen after

Dining area before

Dining area after

Sitting room before

Sitting room after

Master bedroom before

Master bedroom after

Children's room before

Children's room after

Cosy bathroom

I absolutely love what Anita has created. How about you? Much of the magic comes down to her use of paint, veering away from bright white to create a calmer, cosier feel. The textiles add layers of warmth, and the abundance of wood brings a touch of the countryside indoors, adding both texture and character. By incorporating one-off vintage finds, each with its own story, she’s given the space plenty of soul, while the wainscoting and window dressings soften the lines and add a beautifully traditional touch. Just my two pennies' worth! 

Is there anything you spotted that I missed? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!

See more pictures (and find out about the details) over at Anita's lovely instagram @by_anitarussell.

Shall we take a look at a few more cosy cottages this grey autumn day? How about:

A charming little Swedish cottage in the heart of Stockholm
A cosy Swedish cottage with stunning sea views
Helen's cosy Swedish cottage kitchen

Have a cosy start to the week!

Niki

Credits: @by_anitarussell, shared with kind permission.

READ MORE...

23

Before and After: Angelina Dörfler’s Inspiring Home Makeover

Why hello there! You know I love a good before and after – nothing shows the possibilities of a home better, don’t you agree? There’s something so magical about seeing the bones of a space and then watching it completely transform with just the right touches. Ready for this one? Come on in!

When award-winning interior designer Angelina Dörfler started to rent her home in Vienna, she knew instantly that it had great potential. The high ceilings, herringbone wood floors, and period details whispered of charm – but it all felt a little tired and unloved: yellow walls, heavy finishes, and an outdated kitchen didn’t really do the space justice.

So, Angelina rolled up her sleeves and out went the old kitchen, and in came one that makes clever use of every inch of height in the small room. She introduced soft, muted hues to create a serene feeling throughout, and best of all, she reintroduced wall mouldings to bring back that turn-of-the-century elegance. 

And the interior? Light, neutral tones keep things calm and airy, while layers of texture – linen, wool, wood, stone – add depth and warmth. Sculptural lighting hangs like artwork, while fresh flowers and thoughtful little vignettes give the rooms life. Isn’t it amazing how just the right mix of details can completely shift the energy of a space?

I especially love how the natural light pours in through those big windows, softened with Roman blinds and flowing curtains. Step this way, scroll on, and enjoy the before-and-after pics – I hope they’ll leave you inspired!

Kitchen

Dining area

Sitting room

Bedroom

From tired walls to a calm, light-filled retreat — such a dreamy spot to wake up in, don’t you think? 

If you’d like to see more of Angelina’s beautiful home, head over to her Instagram, it’s full of inspiration.

And for more before-and-after tours to spark your imagination, check out: 

A dark house becomes a fresh and vibrant home
A Copenhagen townhouse becomes a fresh family home
A rundown property becomes a beautiful Swedish farmhouse

And so many more in the makeover archive! 

Thank you so much for stopping by today. Happy lillördag all! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Angelina Dörfler, shared with kind permission.

Ps Behind the scenes I've been working away on a feature about the cute new children's IKEA Sandlöpoare collection which includes a fun quiz (in case you'd like to show it to a little one in your life!).  

READ MORE...

16

A Beautiful Swedish Home Tour with A Smart Bathroom Makeover

Tjena! Hur är läget? Do you have awkward angles at home? Perhaps a sloped ceiling that’s causing you decorating strife? If so, you might just find inspiration in Natalie’s lovely Swedish home.

Natalie (known as @huslyftet on Instagram) and her partner are true decorating wizards – and they don’t do things by halves. Not only did they lift their entire house and move it two and a half metres (eight feet) across the lawn, but they also added an extension before transforming the entire living space to create a truly personal haven.

Today, their pretty, light-filled home features a wonderful array of whimsical floral wallpaper, providing the perfect backdrop for traditional kitchen cabinetry, vintage furniture, and personal touches. But what really caught my eye is the bathroom. Tucked under the sloped roof, the awkward angles made it a tricky build, but with some clever design work, they created the most beautiful space – complete with a shower, bath, and twin basins.

So, pour yourself a coffee and get comfy – here’s the full tour, along with a peek at the before-and-after shots of the bathroom!

I was so excited to see this armchair. I once picked up a pair exactly like this at a 'loppis' (flea market) here in Malmö. Sadly, they were in quite bad disrepair and I couldn't afford to get them reupholstered so I gave them away, but I always wondered who made them. Maybe now I'll find out! 

The guest bathroom door can be spotted in to the right of the above picture. This is what it looks like inside: 

I love how Natalie has picked out tones from the William Morris wallpaper and matched them with accessories like towels - very pretty!

Note the built-in cupboards and drawers in the master bedroom to the right which make use of every inch of space. 

The bathroom

And now friends, as promised, it's time to take a peek at the bathroom. The before pictures (or should I say, the picture of the shell of the room just as the work started) gives a great idea of the shape of the room. not an easy space! 

And here, is the after. Practical (note the amount of storage), pretty and in keeping with the rest of the house.

Such a lovely home! 

I really loved the craftsmanship in the bathroom - and how they created such slim cabinetry to make the space of what would have otherwise been dead space. If anyone else has teenage girls like I do, you'd understand the need for PLENTY of storage!

Is there anything that stood out to you about Natalie's home? 

There are lots more corners to discover over on her inspiring instagram feed here. 

Update– here are some of the wallpapers and paint colours used this home: 

 

Kitchen

Honeysuckle wallpaper by William Morris

Cabinets painted in NCS 1510-Y10R

Sitting room

Painted in NCS 2005-G10Y

Bedroom 

Robinson Crusoe wallpaper by Charles Burger

Guest bathroom 

Golden lily wallpaper by William Morris

Hallway / entrance

Door painted in S2040-Y20R

Bathroom 

Chrysanthemum toile wallpaper in eggshell / gold by William Morris

Cabinets painted in 2010-Y20R

In case you'd like to see more before and after make-overs today, there are lots to discover in this home makeover archive (if this home comes up first, just scroll down for more!). 

Have a wonderful start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @huslyftet 

READ MORE...

19