Scandinavian Style in the Cotswolds
Jess (@one__more__thing) is full of design knowledge. Not only is she a senior interior designer but also tackled a huge renovation project that most would run away from. The result of Jess and her boyfriend’s hard work and her natural eye for design is an idyllic two-bedroom cottage that is nestled within the Cotswolds. It exudes natural beauty and a calm vibe that has many people swooning. We had a chat about her renovating experience, how to successfully create a high-end look on a small budget and lots more.
Tell me about your interior design journey and how you started in interior design.
I studied interior design and decoration for three years at Southampton University. After graduating I moved back to Cornwall (which is where I grew up) and worked in a few of the local interior shops. I then moved to Bristol to be with my boyfriend and worked with Mandarin Stone scoping their products for client projects. During this time I also applied to work at IKEA designing their room sets, which was the most intense interview process I have ever experienced! I got down to the last two, but fate intervened as I was offered the job as a junior interior designer in the studio I still work for now. Fast forward seven years and I am now a senior interior designer. I work for four days a week dressing show homes across the country for companies such as Barratt Homes and Crest Nicholson and more recently working with a private client. The other day is spent sourcing and buying accessories for our designs which is fun and a little different to the norm.
How would you describe your design style?
Our home at the moment has a rustic meets Scandinavian style, which was purposefully chosen to suit the cottage we live in and the surrounding Cotswolds. I think your style should adapt depending on the house you are living in, so as much as I adore modern and minimalist looks it just wouldn’t suit the house and the lifestyle we currently have, and who knows maybe I will achieve that in a future home. Neutral tones are a must for me and this is perhaps inspired by my job. I have to remain incredibly conscious of the current colour, fabric and pattern trends so at home I prefer to keep things muted and timeless.
What advice would you give to a first-time buyer who is also taking on a huge renovation project as you did?
The house we bought was the first one we viewed and people often recommend against doing that but we just knew it was right for us, so I would say always go with your gut instinct. You will just know if its the house for you, even if the electrics are sparking and the interior walls are soaking wet like they were for us!
I’d also say if possible try to find a mentor, so for us, this was definitely my boyfriends Dad who is a site manager and has an in depth knowledge of the building industry. He taught us how to tile, tank, pull ceilings down, well basically taught us everything we know. He did all the work we weren’t skilled enough to carry out ourselves.The renovation was very much a team effort, myself and Ryan’s Mum getting stuck in as much as possible also. I absolutely loved this about the project and could not have done it without them. We now feel equipped with knowledge and skills and inspired for the next project!
Finally, I would say that if you are buying as a couple, then you both need to 100% be ready and up for getting messy, as sometimes things will get tough but this mutual understanding of what you are going through and shall eventually achieve will pull you through!
What were the most important design elements that you wanted to achieve in your home, both aesthetically and practically?
I wanted the house to feel as light as possible because of the low ceilings and to also have a natural feeling throughout to match the history and character of the cottage. It was important to me to have a few high-quality products and items scattered throughout the house such as the butler and shower fixing because you can successfully fill a room with cost-effective furniture, but if you install one incredibly nice item then it will elevate the entire aesthetic.
Practically, when hunting for a house we wanted things like a garage, a spare bedroom for guests and a study area, but fitting all of these things into a small cottage was a challenge. So we have utilised the space we have as much as possible, for example by fitting a desk underneath the stairs and positioning an armchair in this location that doubles up as more seating in the living room or rotates to become a desk chair when we need it. Our dining room is also a hallway which works perfectly well for us and not changing this layout meant that we could spend our budget elsewhere.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced while renovating an old home and how did you overcome them?
I think the hardest part was having no family nearby to pop round to for comfort and to get away from the dust. Living and working in a renovation is like living in a building site, and you can cope but there were times when it became a bit too much. If I ever bought again, it would preferably be near family so that we could stay with them whilst the major renovation work was completed or I would renovate one room at a time, but in the cottage, we had no choice but to do it all at the same time.
To ease this stress we created a little sanctuary in our bedroom upstairs which became a dust-free area. We also bought an old Volvo to help lessen the number of trips to the dump and to free up time for more important things on the list.
Another challenge was getting used to working on a smaller budget than I am used to dealing with while at work. I’m used sourcing and ordering the furniture for a room all the same time, but after such a huge renovation you are lucky if you can afford to buy one cushion a month!
And of course, what were the biggest accomplishments?
The thing I am most proud of is the ceiling that we took off in the master bedroom, it was such a hidden gem! It was the last part of the renovation to do and was the cherry on top of the cake. It was hard work but it is such a rewarding space to be in, especially because of the low ceiling elsewhere.
What is your favourite room and why?
It depends if its a favourite room for the furniture or architecture! The master bedroom with the pitched beamed ceiling is my favourite architectural feature in the whole house, but for furniture, it has to be the living room. It is such a calming, cosy and inviting space, I wanted to have a masculine country style and I think that this comes across quite successfully.
As an interior designer, what advice would you give to someone who has an idea of what they want a space to be like, but doesn’t know where to start?
Start by choosing the biggest finish first, for example, a particular wallpaper or flooring. Then steadily scale down, so pick the sofa, curtains and armchair and ensure they work well with the larger finish. After this, you can then pick the cushions and accessories which will elevate the larger finishes. If you are refreshing a room, use the existing furniture as your starting point instead.
Pinterest is wonderful for inspiration but I find Instagram far better because you will find spaces that are far more similar to your own in shape and character. I love Georgian houses with their high ceilings and charm but the furniture placed in this kind of space will never work in my low ceiling cottage, so be reasonable with the images you use as inspiration. Finally, remember that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a stylish look. Stay savvy, start making lists of affordable finds and ask people where they got things from.
What are the five things I could do to update my house on a budget?
Paint can do wonders and can transform a space
Changing your tiles, splashback or worktops can be incredible effective too
Just shop your own home, don’t think you need to spend money to update your house
Upcycle what you already have or look on Facebook Marketplace for affordable items
Look in places you wouldn’t expect such as Screwfix for doors and give it a glow up!
Tell us about your favourite...
Design Trend: Dried flowers and flanged or frayed cushions!
Materials: Wood (I’m very picky with the shade) and anything with a good or natural texture
Interior Shops: House Doctor, go to Top Drawer in London to discover LOADS of great smaller brands, Swoon Editions, Habitat, French Connection and Zara Home
Who are your favourite accounts to follow right now and why?
Abigail Ahern (@abigailahern) - she is so talented in a maximalism kind of way. The styling videos she does in her home are so informative and inspiring
West of Main Design (@westofmain) - an interior design studio based in Ontario. Their designs are effortless, opulent but still look so homely
Studio Ashby (@studioashby) - just wonderfully colourful in every way!
Eleni (@studioparadissi) - such beautiful art and what a home!
What’s next for you?
My dream one day would potentially be to work for myself but for now I love working within a team and my experiences at work definitely comes through in the design of our home. We want to do another renovation, even if it’s not to the same extent of this project, and who knows whether that will be in the Cotswolds or nearer to family in Cornwall!
All photographs were provided by Jess and if you want to see more of her beautiful home, you can do so here.