Today is special to me. So special that it was difficult to settle on a feature for this week's Living Large In Small Spaces. There are so many small homes and cottages, bungalows and studios waiting to be discovered and drooled over, but I think Lavender Cottage was meant to be shared today. It's just that charming.
Welcome to the one-hundredth post in the series
"Living Large in Small Spaces".
Notice that number above? Can you believe I've written 99 LLISS posts -- now 100 -- to inspire my readers on how to live large in small spaces? Me either, but it's true. And that's why today is so important to me. How do I celebrate 100 posts (not to mention the hours of cyber searching and typing) with all of you -- my best friends?
It starts with finding and sharing an endearing cottage and garden.
Located in a tiny hamlet in Yorkshire, Lavender Cottage is the holiday home of artist and designer Helen Charlton and her husband John.
I'm embarrassed to admit it, but in the email I sent to Helen thanking her for allowing me the privilege of sharing her cottage I actually gushed a bit. You see, Lavender Cottage is pretty close to my dream cottage. A lovely English country cottage with the sort of architectural details that inspired the design of our own cottage.
When the Charltons bought the 18th century stone cottage they waited eight months before making any changes. During that time Helen kept a design journal crammed with inspiration and ideas until the contractor, who had worked on their farmhouse renovation (their primary residence), was available. He actually lived in the cottage for five weeks while he completed the remodel.
Dark ceiling beams were stripped and painted. Local sandstone was used for the new chimney breast, and an aga wood-burning stove was installed to keep the cottage cozy on winter nights. Helen's choice of a pink chandelier is a pleasant surprise. I love the painted grandfather clock and the window seat. The beautiful hardwood floors are solid maple.
A color palette of sea-side blue greens, sandy creams and pebble greys was used throughout the cottage.
The contemporary kitchen is beautifully appointed with oak countertops, travertine flooring and a Belfast sink. A bank of windows is the icing on the cake.
A bar was installed to provide dining in the small kitchen.
Careful attention was given to every detail in the cottage.
A delightful wall cupboard holds Emma Bridgewater pottery.
The bedroom -- nestled under the eaves -- is decorated in blue fabric and wallpaper by British company Cabbage and Roses. (This fact alone makes me swoon. I love everything Cabbage and Roses does.)
The antique French bed is simply gorgeous.
Really, this bedroom is perfection.
A pretty chandelier hangs over the bed.
In the bathroom the addition of a tube skylight brings in natural light. By the way, have you noticed how many homeowners are installing the tub fixtures on the side wall rather than at the head of the tub these days? Brilliant, right? Who wants to hit their head on the faucet when they're soaking, or try to find a place for their feet if they turn the other way?
The stunning cottage garden is awash with pink old fashioned roses, honeysuckle and clematis.
And it wouldn't be Lavender Cottage without lavender planted in the garden.
I'm so taken with this precious cottage.
Even though she didn't ask me to, I must give a plug for Helen Charlton and her amazing talents. She is owner of Busy Bee Studio, has taken part in BBC2 TV The Great Interior Design Challenge, and her farmhouse and Lavender Cottage have been featured in some of England's most popular magazines. She's an extraordinary woman and I'm so pleased that I was given the opportunity to introduce you to her and the lovely Lavender Cottage.
Lavender Cottage is available to let on their website:
http://lavendercottagewhitby.co.uk/ If you go there, be sure to spend some time looking at the panormaic virtual tours of the cottage rooms. You'll see so much more than I can show here.
Also, check out Helen's blog here and her beautiful Busy Bee Studio here.
(Thank you, Helen for making my 100th post anniversary so special.)
And now I have a surprise for all my faithful readers. (You didn't think we were done partying did you?) A Joyful Cottage wouldn't exist without you, nor would 100 posts on Living Large In Small Spaces be possible. So, to show my appreciation for your loyalty I'm giving away a one-year subscription (6 issues) to this magazine.
"Give your home a cozy cottage look with Cottages & Bungalows. Enjoy house tours, expert tips, inspiring stories, and beautiful images that empower you to create a cottage lifestyle in any home.
Organize, decorate, restore and maintain!"
Six issues of inspiration can be yours. Just leave me a comment that you'd like to be entered in the drawing. If you're not a blogger or you're a no-reply blogger you'll have to leave your email address so I can reach you if you're the winner. That's it. No following rules or Facebook likes required. I'm putting you on the honor system that you're already a follower and regular reader of A Joyful Cottage because you see value in the content presented here.
I'll announce the Cottage and Bungalow Subscription winner right here next Saturday, April 29.
Good luck!
