At Home With Vanessa @vanessa_inthe_cotswolds
This week we are at home with the wonderful Vanessa. Meet the colourful and fun loving lady behind the very popular instagram account @vanessa_inthe_cotswolds where she shares images of her beautiful stone cottage, her country garden and day to day life. Read on to discover more about Vanessa, her home and family
Tell us a bit about you
Our house is a traditional Cotswold stone cottage in the village of Whiteshill is a village in Stroud, Gloucestershire. The cottage has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sitting room and large kitchen diner. It has a large garden which is our favourite part of the house.
My husband and I were both born and have always lived in Stroud. It’s been named “best place to live in the UK 2021” by The Times, but we’ve always known that.
The area has a wonderful community. It’s known for its art and culture as well as a strong ethical scene.
Tell us about your home
The cottage is a traditional Victorian cottage it would have been a two up, two down but we have extended it.
How would you describe your home?
My home style is eclectic. I love to mix modern and vintage. I love colour and I couldn’t imagine a grey home which I know has been a popular style recently.
Which is your favourite room in the house?
My favourite room is our kitchen diner. It has a big dining table which I spend most of my time at relaxing with a coffee. The room also has a wood burner which makes it really lovely in the winter.
How does your home reflect any passions or interests?
We have a second home in France and I love to visit the vintage markets and brocantes when we are there so interesting vintage pieces often come home.
What are your favourite items in the home?
We have a dresser that was given to us as a present from Steve’s parents when we got married. I have changed the colour of it over the years and love to display my favourite pieces of china on it.
When you moved into your house was it the finished article or was it a project?
It was a total project. We extended adding two extra bedrooms and an upstairs bathroom, as originally it only had one downstairs. We’ve also knocked through from the kitchen to the dining room.
Have you learnt any new DIY skills?
I have learnt to wallpaper which I enjoy.
Have you had any DIY or styling disasters?
I change things so often that nothing is too disastrous as I know it will change again soon.
What is your top home styling tip?
Don’t use “trendy” tiles, it’s difficult to change them and you will go off them in a year.
Is there anything in your home that you couldn’t live without?
Every Country Cottage should have a wood burner. We have one in our sitting room and kitchen. Our cottage is small so they can warm the whole house. I can’t imagine a winters evening without the warmth and glow of a wood burner.
They say that every home tells visitors a story about who lives there. What do you think your home says about you?
I would hope my home says I’m “down to earth”.
The Home Edit
Lived-in look or showhome?
Lived in
If you could only paint your walls one colour, which one would it be?
White
What is your pet hate when it comes to your own or other’s homes?
I love that our cottage is traditional stone but hate to see cottages that expose too much of the stone inside. I think it looks cold and dusty.
Favourite front door colour
Pink!
Carpet or Floorboards
Floorboards
Kitchen table dining or formal dining room?
Kitchen dining
High gloss or rustic?
Rustic
Wallpaper or Brick Walls?
Wallpaper
Want More?
If you enjoyed being at home with Vanessa, 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 visit Vanessa's beautiful instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/vanessa_inthe_cotswolds/