At Home With Kate @kateshomestyling
This week I'm at home with Kate, the lovely lady behind the very popular home instagram account @kateshomestyling where she shares stunning images of her modern country styled cottage in the Cotswolds. Read on to learn more about Kate, her home, lifestyle, and top tips for home styling
Tell us about you
Me and my partner recently moved to little village called Deddington on the edge of the Cotswolds. It has the most picturesque cottages as well as everything you could need on your doorstep. A lovely delicatessen, hairdressers, florist just to name a few.
We love going for countryside walks in our spare time and I also personally love attending Country shows, almost anything flower or animal related as well as French Brocantes/antique & rustic furniture.
Tell us about your home
We live in a country/modern style cottage in the heart of the village which was converted approximately 10 years ago. It’s certainly got some period features like beams, and rustic country doors. One thing that is quite characteristic is that we have what could be described as an ‘upside down’ cottage; with our kitchen/living area upstairs- it gives it something a little different and we love that about it, means we have so much light that enters into the open plan kitchen/living area.
How would you describe your home?
Most definitely country modern, although there is a bit of a rustic twist, with my styling I love certain rustic features whether that be an antique French wooden shutter or antique chair.
Which is your favourite room in the house?
I’d say the hallway- we're really fortunate to have a really wide large hallway which is one of my favourite places to style. I love that when you come in you instantly feel at home/welcomed upon entry. Immediately it tells a story about us and our home. I always make sure I have a lovely fresh candle lit too so that when people come in they see our lovely home and that it smells beautiful too.
How does your home reflect any passions or interests?
Most definitely the rustic/antique little features reflect my style and how I love to find these sorts of things at the French Brocantes/antique stores and additionally flowers in almost everywhere. Whether it be a faux bouquet, beautiful fresh blooms or plants outside, I have always loved flowers and even drew/painted them as a little girl and so this reflects that 100%.
Harry, my significant other is a huge cricket fan and has also played all his life and so there is also little reflections of that too in our home matching the style including rustic cricket bats etc.
What are your favourite items in the home?
This list could be endless but if I had to narrow it down it would be our sofas and the dining table.
Firstly, our sofas are just so calming, comfortable and beautiful to look at. I absolutely love them.
As for our dining table, we had this made in a country/modern style with chairs and a bench. I love styling different tablescapes through the seasons and hosting guests for dinner.
When you moved into your house was it the finished article or was it a project?
Mainly the finished article, again we were very lucky that we fell in love with it as is. There are some changes we have made and that we still plan to do.
What renovation and decorating have you done?
So far only small amounts really, as we only moved in April and for the most part everything was already perfect, we are however going to add some panelling very soon which I'm super excited for.
Have you had any DIY or styling disasters?
Ah so far not really. Although, I did buy an antique desk as an upcycling project but it didn’t fit through the door (Oops!) So poor Harry had to take the door off to get it through.
What is your top home styling tip?
Would have to say baskets are my favourite thing ever when it comes to home styling, best tip would be whenever you’re trying to hide wires just pop them in a basket.
Is there anything in your home that you couldn’t live without?
I’d probably have to say my oil diffuser or candles. I absolutely love these.
They say that every home tells visitors a story about who lives there. What do you think your home says about you?
I think the home says I'm very tidy and pay attention to the finer details, that I have a rustic country/modern style and love both candles and flowers.
The Home Edit
Llived-in or showhome?
Showhome
If you could only paint your walls one colour, which one would it be?
Stone/neutral colour
What is your pet hate when it comes to your own or other’s homes?
Unmade beds- I could never leave a bed unmade even when I go to a hotel I make the bed!
Favourite front door colour?
Ooh this is a hard one, I love a sage sort of green or pastel colours on a country cottage.
Carpet or Floorboards?
Floorboards
Kitchen table dining or formal dining room?
Love both
High gloss or rustic?
Rustic
Wallpaper or Brick Walls?
Wallpaper
Want More?
If you enjoyed being at home with Kate, you might like to take a look inside other popular home styling accounts on instagram and find out more about the people behind them. You can view more of these "at home with" articles here
Catch up with Kate's instagram account here. It's well worth a look!