Living Large In Small Spaces - Oxford Cottage

This week's featured small space is a completely renovated 1860 stone cottage in Oxfordfordshire.





Welcome to the sixty-fourth post in the series
"Living Large in Small Spaces".



The stone cottage owned by Caroline and Anthony Borgman was voted Best Cottage in Period Living Readers’ Awards 2010.

Throughout the cottage the couple, who did much of the reno work themselves, has maintained the character of the original structure with its Cotswold stone.







An area in the entrance hall serves as the dining room. Space under the stairs is utilized for cabinetry.







Bespoke base kitchen cabinets were custom made, and painted and distressed by Caroline. Anthony built the wall cupboards.






Caroline, who works in the fashion industry, has created a warm, cozy, enchanting interior. Her choice of a mostly neutral color palette with subtle touches of color ensures the cottage is bright and cheerful.



The couple found antique pine doors to replace the more modern pine doors that had been installed by previous owners in the 1990's.




The tiny master bedroom is big on charm.






Their daughter's bedroom is little girl perfect.



I expect to see Peter Pan float through the window of this charming room.






I'm crazy about this bathroom and seriously want those towels.







I don't know about you, but I'm in love with this darling cottage. Do you feel inspired?

Source: Period Living

Join me next Saturday for another post in the special series

 Living Large in Small Spaces

See more home tours and small living ideas in the 
Living Large In Small Spaces Series here.




49 comments

  1. Yes, I'm feeling very inspired, my darling Nancy !!!
    This charming cottage, even if restored, has preserved its ancient characteristics and it's so that a restoration has to be, it has to be respectful of the history of the building, isn't it ?
    I live in a house of the XVIth century and believe me, we've added only the comforts we need today and put it in order inside, of course, but all the rest is original, seen outside it's as it has always been, we've just removed the plaster to let her huge stones 'going out'.

    Thanking you for sharing this BEAUTY in another wonderful post, I wish you all the best for the weekend coming,
    sending love,
    Dany

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  2. Oh that is cottage perfect! I was editing photos on a cottage tea I am doing this week and your post caught my eye! I am off to see the progress on your home! Happy New Year!

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  3. just when i think i found the perfect cottage on your saturday posts, you post another that i drool over. this, being the latest. in awe. what a treasure. in the first picture i spy a silver telephone.

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  4. I love those bath towels, too, Nancy. My favorite thing, though, is the butterflies on the curtains in their daughter's room...so sweet!

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    Replies
    1. The butterflies are hair decorations that she clipped on to the curtains. Cute idea.

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  5. Nancy your description of "darling cottage" is perfect! The extraordinary beauty and charm of Cotswold stone, space is planned and utilized perfectly and the small family framed gallery wall is precious.
    Happy Saturday.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  6. I'm enchanted! It's so pretty! Thanks, Nancy.
    Wishing you a beautiful weekend,
    Linda at BeautifulIdeas

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  7. What a beauty this one is! Loved the tour! xo

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  8. Love, love, love it- from the exposed stone wall to the claw foot tub! xo Diana

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  9. You had me with all the natural stone! Yes, this one is charming for sure.

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  10. Oh the roses... I love the touch of roses all throughout this bright, cheery, and darling little cottage! Such old fashioned charm carried throughout the entire decor scheme of this sweet place... t'would be a wonderful place to call home! Another gem you've found Nancy! You are good at this!

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  11. Oh so sweet and pretty. Love this one Nancy. That claw tube swooning!!! Have a beautiful week end.
    Kris

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  12. What a charming little cottage, Nancy! Everything is done to perfection and just darling! Thank you, as always, for sharing such a cutie!! Blessings, Cindy

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  13. Very pretty. Big on Charm for sure.
    betsy

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  14. One more . . . Oh My . . .
    Did you notice the pale blue, soft pink stone ware way up high in the cozy kitchen . . .
    And all the delicate roses, china cups, soft colors . . .
    Blue velvet chair in the little girls room.
    Oh the charm of it all, I just loved this cottage.

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  15. Perfect. Keep finding these lovely stone cottages to share with us!

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  16. You've done it again! You have shared a cottage from which I am taking away SO many ideas, Nancy! Like I've said before (I'm keeping track) - first it was that Spanish Cottage, then the French cottage, then you recently shared another English dwelling, now this one. I REALLY am inspired because the bright white and the white beams leading upstairs is exactly what we will be doing with our loft bedroom! My husband recently made me a faux mantle for the great room with this exact color scheme and texture, using a thick beam. This exact look throughout the cottage is what we are aiming for and the details in the wood, the texture of the wood and paint color are SPOT ON. And I agree; those towels are darling!

    Happy Sunday dear, dear friend!

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  17. The exterior says it all about what is inside!! Love stone cottages. I was just watching an HGTV show on people buying castles in Europe. All the outsides look like this sweet cottage but I would take this over a castle anyday!

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  18. I'm greedy and wish there were more pictures of this darling cottage.

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  19. Hi deae friend , es una casa realmente hermosa , muy vintage ,,espero que tenga un bendecido domingo
    Cariños

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    1. Gracias Amigo. Estoy feliz de haberlo detenido por.

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  20. Oh, I adore stone cottages! This one is so sweet and cozy! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. My pleasure, Anne. It's a joy to share homes like these, which I love so much.

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  21. Another great cottage. Two favorite, The sitting room and the bathroom. Between those to rooms I would only get reading and quilting done. I felt relaxed just looking at that tub. Have a perfectly wonderful day. Debbie

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  22. Oh I really love this one, Nancy. It really is darling!

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  23. Nancy what a darling cottage inside and out... Something about a stone cottage always gets me! I love stone walls they add so much body to the cottage home, what about that sweet cabinet between the two windows in the kitchen, and that bathroom is so cute, small like in the movie the holiday, but that would not stop me from taking a long soak in a cozy room of beauty.

    Thank tou for another inspiring post, hope to see more of your cottage life soon.

    I am off to see or catch up on post I may have missed here.
    Also off to complete my new art pieces from oyster shells, it's a French cottage culinary thing I am after.

    See you soon.

    Ps. I am off in the studio this week creating pottery more for my cottage, and soon more for sharing.
    Will return soon dear, have an inspiring January.

    Xx
    Dore

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  24. OH oh, oh!! Nancy,
    I too feel his presence when I create something of soulful beauty, it just takes your thoughts to how fortunate we are to be creative creatures and be doing something pleasing at the same time. I love how he takes over in us and gives us the spirit and drive to connect to him through our quiet time we spend creating along side of him the powerful creator.

    Your twine weaving amazes me! I am so interested in this art, a costly one I am sure!
    I have been looking for a rag rug yet better then just rags, one that I know would hold up to a few washing sand facings. Oh to be able to purchase an area rug of yours for my front room floor would be heavenly. Do you make a sale them on an etsy? If not you should fine hand woven work is an art form lost to the mass market. You rug on the loom with the tone of taupe grey and black is so tones now I am looking for in a rug. I saw on google a wonderful loom rug pieced together like a patch work quilt in a rag blue and it too was amazing.
    Your cottage must be filling up with a folkart craft lost to the lesser quality made ones out there. You have an art form I hope you stick with, and the beauty in your work will measure up to none out there you can buy on the mass market...,to have such hand crafted beauty as yours would be divine.

    I could see your property with a small she'd like studio shop where only rugs fill its space, a small business where crafted rugs are sold. I know I would be putting my orders in for sure.

    Hope to see more postings with your weaved twine rugs.
    Xx
    Dore

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  25. I don't know how you keep coming up with all these darling cottages but I sure enjoy them!

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  26. Such a beautiful cottage and I agree, those towels are gorgeous!! xx

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  27. I love the kitchen.
    I also like your new photo of you. :-)
    Happy New Year,
    Carla

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  28. I know I've said others were my favorite, but this one really is. I feel like I've stepped in an English novel, M.C. Beaton, for one. I want to live here and live that small Cotsworld life.

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  29. I love the stone walls and the fireplace. That's what 'makes' it an Oxfordshire cottage!

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    1. You're right. And it's what makes it one of my favorites.

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  30. So, so sweet...I can't begin to say what I love the most. Well, everything!! Thank you so much for bringing us another treasure of a home! :)

    Jane x

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  31. Hi Nancy, my hear goes pitter patter when looking at this very fresh looking cottage. The stone walls are amazing! Thank you for sharing I always find inspiration your posts. Have a wonderful week. xx Jo

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  32. Love, Love that cozy dining area under the stairs! What a beautiful cottage. Thanks for sharing :)

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  33. So cozy Nancy. I especially love the stone, both inside and out, and the color of the kitchen cabinets. I can see why it was voted "Best Cottage". Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a great week.

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  34. Starting with the heart on the front door, this cottage oozes with charm.

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  35. Love your photos. Your blog is great!
    Happy that i found you.
    Nice greetings from austria your new follower
    Kuni

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    Replies
    1. I love making new friends! Thank you for visiting and introducing yourself. I'm off to visit your blog now. xo

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  36. Another charming cottage that looks so cozy and welcoming. I love every single room!

    Thanks for sharing, Nancy!

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  37. This cottage is absolutely gushing with charm. I especially love how the stone wall continues to the inside. They must be thick to insure good insulation, or maybe in 1860 that wasn't thought about as much as it is today. They may have been more concerned with a roof over their heads and a bigger fire going in the winter. There are so many little details here and there that make this cottage so unique, one that I love is the way the cabinets and doorways are cutout with the angle of the ceiling. This is the kind of cottage that is found in day-dreams and fairy-tales. Just another reason why I love your beautiful blog:)
    Keep Smiling.
    Your blogging sister,
    Connie :)

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  38. Oh, be still my heart. Oh sigh. Oh my. How delightful.

    Thank you for sharing this home, with us.

    And yes, oh those towels!!!! ,-))))

    And, I love how doors and closet/cabinet, "adjust" to the ceiling slope, upstairs.

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    1. Yes, slant of the doors to fit the ceiling slope gives the cottage so much character. Thanks for stopping by. xo

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  39. I love this cottage and it has been an inspiration for me since I found it on the internet!

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  40. I'm in love with it too, but then again, any cottage in Oxford has that potential. England just always seems to know how to do it right if one has the resources to. this cottage is perfect in every way! Love it!

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