At Home With Marie @marie_cottagelife_
This week I'm at home with Marie the lovely lady behind the very popular instagram account @marie_cottagelife_ where she shares stunning images of her new build thatched cottage in Dorset. Read on to learn more about Marie, her home, lifestyle, and top tips for home styling.
Tell us about you
My name is Marie and I live with my husband and our two cats in our new build thatched cottage in Dorset. We have two grown up daughters that have flown the nest.
Tell us about your home
Our thatched cottage has three bedrooms and was a new build, when we moved in just over 6 years ago now.
How would you describe your home?
It’s a traditional cottage with beams and beautifully made wooden window frames and high moulded skirting boards.
Its been built to a very high standard with underfloor heating both downstairs and upstairs.So it has a wonderful mix of both traditional and modern design.
I am influenced both by Scandi and British cottage style and design.
Which is your favourite room in the house?
My favourite room is definitely the kitchen, as it’s quite large and has beautiful bifold doors out to our garden. I love looking at the trees in the distance and seeing the different seasons shift the colours of the leaves.
How does your home reflect any passions or interests?
Everything was a blank canvas when we moved in as it was a new build. We haven’t felt the need to change anything as we have liked the neutral palette.
I have found a passion for growing my own cut flowers and we’ve had an extra outbuilding built, where I now create my own flower arrangements. I’ve been selling bouquets and jam jar posies on the gate at the weekends and am thoroughly enjoying making them and seeing people appreciating them.
What are your favourite items in the home?
I think it would have to be the wood burner in the lounge as it just is such a cosy and beautiful feature. The Range in the kitchen is another loved feature and item. It is wonderful to cook on and is perfect for when we have big family gatherings.
When you moved into your house was it the finished article or was it a project?
It was the finished article since it was a new build but we have added the bedroom ceiling cooling fans, extra terrace space, a greenhouse and Potting barn outbuilding with gravelled area. Also lots of trees, borders & raised beds
What renovation and decorating have you done?
We haven’t done any renovations or decorating as such inside the cottage. The usual crack filling and painting to maintain it.
Have you had any DIY or styling disasters?
We’ve had a new carpet upstairs, and in one of the smaller bedrooms the carpet underlay was fitted with the wrong type. This was sorted quickly though.
What is your top home styling tip?
My home styling tip would be to go fairly neutral when moving into a new build home. I am more and more now leaning towards brocante finds and upcycling of furniture.
Is there anything in your home that you couldn’t live without?
I couldn’t live without our beautiful kitchen or the underfloor heating, which we and our cats absolutely adore.
They say that every home tells visitors a story about who lives there. What do you think your home says about you?
It’s a very cosy home that feels welcoming for our family, friends and our two cats. I want people to feel they are having a lovely time here.
The Home Edit
Lived-in or showhome?
Definitely lived in. I have currently got plant trays on the kitchen floor, waiting to go out in the greenhouse.
If you could only paint your walls one colour, which one would it be?
It would be the one we’ve already got which is F&B Pointing - throughout the cottage. It gives a nice flow and calm feeling.
What is your pet hate when it comes to your own or other’s homes?
Unmade beds
Favourite front door colour?
Cream (F&B Dimity).
Carpet or Floorboards?
Both
Kitchen table dining or formal dining room?
Both
High gloss or rustic?
Rustic
Wallpaper or Brick Walls?
Again I love both and it depends on how and where they are used.
Want More?
If you enjoyed being at home with Marie, 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 Marie's instagram account here. It's well worth a look!