Interiors journalist Kathy Hurst of @rocking_the_cotswolds has written for prestigious titles such as 25 Beautiful Homes and Ideal Home for over a decade. Currently renovating property and working on her novel, she takes time out to walk us through her home, a beautiful Cotswold estate that is full of simple, yet elegant country character.
Kathy, you have that enviable country living style that doesn’t feel too traditional - it’s not easy to do! When done well, it delivers such an elegant, calming home.
Thank you! More than anything, I want our home to feel inviting – somewhere we can spend time together as a family or relax with friends over a meal or glass of wine. It’s something of a haven for us: I often look at what we’ve created here and can’t believe it is ours. On a sunny day, with the doors open and the children playing in the garden, there’s nowhere I’d rather be.
The kitchen is very much the heart of our home – somewhere we prepare dinner, entertain, or where the children come to do their homework. They’ll often perch on the island and eat breakfast, or chat with me as I’m preparing food. I searched high and low for the right bar stools and was delighted to find these at Cox & Cox.
“I find that taking inspiration from natural tones helps to blur the transition between inside and out.”
Our colour scheme is quite restrained. I’ve opted for soft greys and chalky whites, with accents of greens, blues and pinks. It feels in keeping with the countryside location, and I find that taking inspiration from natural tones helps create blur the transition between inside and out. It was the setting which first attracted us to this property: the peace and quiet, the birdsong and rural views.
Our Cox & Cox Lounge Set, tucked away against a Cotswold stone wall, is perhaps our most frequently used spot – somewhere I can sit with a cup of tea or read a book. It’s so versatile and has a lovely, understated look which can be styled in both a traditional or more contemporary way.
We extended and renovated throughout, with not even a square centimetre left untouched. It’s given us the opportunity to create a space that is exactly as we would want it and which feels, in some way, a reflection of us. Perhaps the most cherished addition is the outbuilding, now known as Baba’s Barn, which my dad helped to build in the year before he died. Now he’s no longer here, it’s wonderful to look out every day on something he made with his own hands.
If you’re feeling inspired by Kathy’s style take a look at our Outdoor pages.
Interior Design by @rocking_the_cotswolds