At Home With Paula @green_gables_cottage
This week I'm at home with Paula, the creative, country loving lady behind the popular instagram account @green_gables_cottage where she shares wonderful images of her beautiful home. Read on to learn more about Paula, her home, lifestyle, family and her top tip for home styling.
Tell us about you
I am a (reasonably) young professional who lives with my fiancée in Rutland which is England’s smallest county, tucked away next to Leicestershire. We moved here 12 months ago for a better quality of life, and it really has been!
The area is rural and absolutely beautiful, we are surrounded by fields and the views from the cottage are what I have dreamt of my whole life.
Tell us about your home
Our new old home is a Victorian railway cottage, situated between 2 villages. As part of a little row of cottages we have neighbours on both sides which has formed this really sweet little community. We were overjoyed to meet them and find out that we all really like similar things! We now have dinners together and meet up whenever we can.
How would you describe your home?
My style has changed over the years, I have gone from a new build to a 1930’s semi and now this rustic delight. My current passion is traditional country living. I’ve swapped heels for wellies and I am loving it! I am not keen on fussy design or patterns so its rustic without being too farmhouse chic (I hope!).
Which is your favourite room in the house?
Downstairs we have an open plan kitchen, dining & living room. I love the space and that’s what appealed to us when we bought the house. It’s so light and airy and the sun beams in the back windows right through the house.
How does your home reflect any passions or interests?
I think it shows my love of curating nice things new and old. I tend to pick up a lot from charity shops or antique places where I can. I love old things and their history.
What are your favourite items in the home?
Can it be the dog?! Probably, some of the ornaments like the old Victorian books I found at a market stacked on the living room shelves or the small second hand brass coal scuttle that my dad got me when he noticed my love of fireplaces.
The front door is also a beauty, I designed it and had it made as one of the first jobs when we moved it. She is solid wood with a beautiful grey green finish and brass hardware. She more often than not has a decorative wreath adorning her front.
When you moved into your house was it the finished article or was it a project?
It was definitely liveable, unlike the last one that needed a complete refit. We were exhausted after an eighteen month renovation so this seemed ideal. There were big jobs to do though, the back garden was just a long strip of muddy land and the kitchen had seen better days. The whole place needed a refresh and some more thoughtful storage as it really is a tiny home.
What renovation and decorating have you done?
I have laid turf for the first time, that was a heavy job, really tiring, Who knew that grass was so heavy? We built an octogen shed, but I was mainly a spectator. Of course a standard shed wasn’t for me. We ripped out the kitchen here ourselves but had a fitter for the new one. My mancub is pretty handy with wiring so all lights and sockets have been installed by us. I regularly upcycle furniture, my latest being an Edwardian drinks cabinet, another wonderful charity shop find. We have had shutters fitted throughout which has really improved the aesthetic of the rooms.
Have you had any DIY or styling disasters?
I have certainly rushed and bought things when I have first moved house in a bid to make it feel homely. Then I haven't liked the item or it didn’t fit and we’ve had to sell it on. Our current sofa was an impulse buy, its lovely to look at but not that comfortable at all! Lesson learned.
What is your top home styling tip?
When moving home or changing a style I think the temptation is to rush in and get everything that you want, however I would really suggest living in a space first and seeing what suits and feels comfortable.
Is there anything in your home that you couldn’t live without?
A nice kitchen. I love cooking and eating and having guests and I just don’t want to create beautiful meals in an ugly space! Also a comfy living room, we tried a drawing room for a while and stiff firm chairs are really not conducive to relaxing I must say.
They say that every home tells visitors a story about who lives there. What do you think your home says about you?
An extremely tidy treasure collector who likes to travel and who loves to bring outside in. Peaceful and calm the house is like a charming hug that snuggles you in and takes good care of you.
The Home Edit
Lived-in or showhome?
Lived in
If you could only paint your walls one colour, which one would it be?
Egyptian cotton-Dulux
What is your pet hate when it comes to your own or other’s homes?
Mirrored furniture, sorry guys. In general, gloss finish its matte all the way for me
Favourite front door colour?
Mine! French Grey by Farrow & Ball
Carpet or Floorboards?
Floorboards
Kitchen table dining or formal dining room?
Ooh both!
High gloss or rustic?
Rustic definitely
Wallpaper or Brick Walls?
Brick walls are beautiful!
Want More?
If you enjoyed being at home with Paula, 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 see more of these "at home with" articles here
You can catch up with Paula's instagram account here. It's well worth a look!