Living Large In Small Spaces - Millstream Cottage

Eighteenth post in the series 
"Living Large in Small Spaces"




Hello and welcome!

Thank you for joining me for another edition of Living Large In Small Spaces.  

I guess it's no surprise to those who know me that I love old world cottages. They speak my language like no other architectural style can. Many such cottages are small in stature and large in character,  so I'm not hesitant to include them in the Living Large series. With that in mind, today we're going to tour Millstream Cottage in Eardisland Wales, courtesy of Blaentrothy Holiday Cottages

I'm not receiving compensation for featuring Millstream Cottage.  I just happen to love it and I think you will, too.






To arrive at the cottage we go through a quaint garden gate and cross a little bridge. 





Garden benches offer a place to rest and enjoy the gentle stream, which flows through the village.






I'm already feeling relaxed.





Beautiful blossoms greet us and fill the air with heavenly scents.





The one bedroom/one bath timber-framed cottage is smaller than it appears from the exterior.



An eat-in kitchen with its Aga cooker and collected look is a traditional cottage lover's dream.





Ceiling beams, the little wood corner cabinet, open shelves, and skirts on the lower cabinets give the kitchen a vintage vibe.










There's a butler's sink, which you can just barely see on the left in the above photo, in addition to the farm sink on the far right.


















From the kitchen we enter the living room.





I'm ready to move in right now. Seriously.




Where oh where can I find that sofa?




Excuse me, could you please hand me a book from the shelf? I'm all snuggled up under this afghan and prefer not to get up.





A cup of tea? Oh, alright, if you insist.  Just put it here on this lovely pine table, please.




One can never have too many flowers.




The bedroom and bathroom are upstairs.












Lots of charm up here, too.








The lovely fabrics used throughout the cottage are by UK designers Kate Forman and Ian Mankin. 







Let's take a last look at the grounds before we leave.



A delightful patio is right outside the kitchen.






The stream runs along the front and side of the cottage.




I'd like to stay here awhile. 

Can you find your own way back home? 

All images are owned by Blaentrothy Holiday Cottages and used here with their permission.


Join me next Saturday for another post in the special series

 Living Large in Small Spaces

See more home tours in the 
Living Large In Small Spaces Series here.


From the comments I've received, many
people have been encouraged by the homes and lives 
shared in this series.
If you live in a small space I'd 
love to feature your story, too.
Send me an email and let's collaborate.
(See the "Contact Me" page for my email address.)


39 comments

  1. I love it, and it looks like such a lovely place to stay. Before I had a family, my spouse and I went to England and rented a cottage for a stay in the countryside. It was a great way to see Yorkshire and Cornwall. We had a base, until we left for London. xoox

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  2. It's a magical place, Nancy. My suitcases are packed, lol!

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    1. That's right! This cottage can be rented for a vacation. Imagine what that would be like, Sue!

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  3. We must like the same kind of CHARM!
    Oh my, sign me up, let me live in that kind of stone walled, water view, pure white walls, beams, cozy setting, yummy sofa, window over the bed, cottage charm.
    and I will have some of the homemade bread too . . .
    Did I say . . . OH MY!
    (the best one ever!)

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  4. This is exactly what I picture when I hear European, country cottage. I just love that red fabric, too! ♡ Thanks for the tour, Nancy!

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  5. So charming! Thanks for taking me on mini-getaway. Just what I needed on this dreary day. Thanks, Nancy!

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  6. OK if you haven't' already moved in I will. Now it's hard for me to leave the Charmer, but I'm tempted. Love it so very pretty, peaceful and calming. Just what I need! Thanks for sharing.

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  7. How lovely!!! I'd love to spend a summer in this place :)

    Happy Saturday Nancy!!! xox

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  8. So beautiful! That patio and garden is gorgeous.

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  9. Love the gardens and so sweet and cozy and inviting on the inside. How fun to stay in this sweet cottage. Have a great week end Nancy.
    Kris

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  10. Nancy,
    I noticed you mentioned in a comment that this charming delight of a cheery cottage can be rented. I think staying there would create memorable days to build a vacation around. My favorite spot is the patio area outside the kitchen. The fabrics throughout add such interest, especially with the touches of red. Nice tour, thanks.
    xx,
    Vera

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  11. Just being transported into the world of that quaint charming cottage was such a treat Nancy! I think I would spend quite a bit of time outside in the beautiful garden and patio! And I agree, the couch just called out to me to come and sit a spell and relax in the relaxed atmosphere. Thanks again for an outstanding post that was more enjoyable than words can share! As I was reading your thoughts about the kitchen I wondered - what is an Aga cooker?

    Thanks again for the tour of such a quaint lovely space!

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    1. An Aga cooker is a heat storing stove and used for cooking, too (cooker). It's the large cast iron "stove" you see in the kitchen photo. They are incredibly expensive, and so though I love it , I will never, ever have one in my lifetime unless someone from Aga decides to give me one to test and blog about. Aga, are you listening???

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  12. Oh Nancy, GOOD MORNING! I was out yesterday on Saturday, and I am so loving this quaint visit with you in this dream cottage! The stream, the garden, the simple elegance is what many of us just love. Ruben and I worked to get our home to feel like this!

    That darling kitchen is encouraging me about my own kitchen. Ours is not tiny, but it's not huge. It's just right. And the little curtains under the sink, I have to do that. I just think that adds so much cottage love. And the bedroom....IT'S LIKE OURS! YES!

    Nancy, Nancy...thank you for this rich experience of seeing a Welsh cottage ( oh that stream, "beside still waters...")

    Have a dreamy day dear one! Anita

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  13. I could live there all by myself and not notice I was alone for a long time!!!

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  14. Very lovely - I wouldn't mind moving in either! That kitchen with the AGA is a place I could spend my days cooking - and the lovely outdoor eating area with the flowing stream is calling!
    I'll be staying in a beautiful cottage when I go home to Devon come summer - I think I'll be taking a lot of pics to share with you, well at least I hope to!
    Thanks for this post - it's lovely on a rather grey and chilly morning.
    Hugs - Mary

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  15. I believe the gardens are my favorite, especially Mamma Swan and the teenage babies!! Cute!
    Thank you for sharing it with us and have a great week ahead!
    Gina

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  16. Delightful in every way! They managed to make the inside light when they have small windows... Quite an inspiration for me!

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  17. Oh my gosh...I'm with you,...I LoVed it and could quite easily move right in, I LoVed the bright surroundings, gardens , brook, little bridge. Thanks for featuring these wonderful little spaces!
    Have a great week..hugs Marg.

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  18. What a beautiful cottage! The grounds, the colors, the furnishings..it's all beautiful.

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  19. Thank you for the tour and showing off the gardens too. Beautiful! And I felt like I just went on a little getaway from my world of Winter. ;-)

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  20. It's funny how it looks quite large from the outside!

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    1. I know, Deb. Perhaps it's the camera lens that was used to photograph the property. The angle of the full exterior shots. I really can't be sure, but once one sees the interior it's pretty certain this is a small cottage. :)

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  21. Hi Nancy,

    Everything about this English cottage exudes pure charm. From the bright and airy kitchen to the cozy, fireplace furnished living room, it invites you in and dares you to leave its beautiful aesthetic. I, myself, would spend most of my time, (English weather allowing), on the patio, surrounded by that signature cottage garden, so beloved by the Brits!

    Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful photos; they made me smile!

    Happy Wednesday!

    xoxo
    Poppy

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  22. It looks beautiful! I would like to have it...

    Thanks!

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  23. Oh my word I just about fell out of my chair when I saw the first photo. This cottage is straight out of a fairy tale! Thank you for sharing these photos, they brightened my day. :)

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    Replies
    1. I'm so glad! Cottages like this always bring a smile to my face.

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  24. Hi.

    This is the first time I visit your blog and I already love it so much that it will be on my own blog list because - what amazing photos you take! I'm also a fan of old cottages and a dream would be to live in one when I get older and the kids leave the nest :) I can just picture myself in a cottage like this.

    Now, I just wanted to let you know that your blog is beautiful and now I'll be on my way to discover more of it :)

    Have a nice day!

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  25. lovely cottage! I would LOVE to retire there!

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    1. Retirement would be a good idea. . .lots of hours available for gardening and enjoying the patio. :)

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  26. You have my heart! LOVE
    Wishing you a beautiful weekend,
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

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  27. Oh my goodness!!!! Can such a place exist? :) Thanks for sharing this on the Art of Home-Making Mondays. This was just lovely!

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  28. It is so sweet Nancy and I must say that you had me at crossing a bridge! Love, those gorgeous gardens! Counting the days till I can be in mine. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  29. I fell in love....it´s such a charming cottage <3.The stream with the swans and the little bridge,oh my goodness.Our house is about 200 years old and we have the same tiny windows,but in that cottage is so much light....Thanks for sharing.Have a great week.
    Hugs
    Caroline

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