When you purchase a property that’s been standing for hundreds of years, the prospect of renovating it might be daunting. How do you make it suitable for modern living without destroying the original beauty of the building?
Fortunately, the new owner of this 15th-century house, Beth Dadswell, was an experienced interior designer who had the skill and vision to put her stamp on it without taking away its character. The cottage was originally part of the oldest building in town, a coach inn, so with this legacy in mind, Dadswell sensitively transformed it from a dated, cramped space into a bright, cozy and functional weekend retreat.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Beth Dadswell and her family, who use it as a weekend retreat
Location: The Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, England
Size: Two bedrooms and two bathrooms
Designer: Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors
“We wanted the cottage to feel cozy and relaxing without being twee. Light and bright, but still authentic to its humble 15th-century roots,” Dadswell says.