Not as rustic as Farmhouse and more layered than pared back Scandi, Cotswold style epitomises the modern country look and easy living vibe.
We visited Beth Sandland at her Cotswold home to find out how she designed a beautiful modern country home that could effortlessly cope with the challenges of her busy family life with two small boys and a boisterous dog.
Join us for a tour of Beth’s home and discover how she created a look that’s both timelessly elegant and highly practical.
Relaxed and homely, Beth’s living room perfectly reflects the laid back Cotswold lifestyle. Shades of soft white blend with natural wood tones, subtle patterns and a warm blue velvet oversized sofa.
Beth explained: “Originally we were thinking of laying a herringbone floor throughout the whole house and we looked at lots of different designs. But at our Karndean design consultation we were shown the Washed Character Oak from the Knight Tile Gluedown range and we loved its warm colouring and gorgeous knotty wood texture. We discovered that we could get the herringbone pattern we wanted with the larger plank but with a slightly wider feel that’s less busy. While the floor is still a huge detail in this room it’s not overwhelming.”
Originally a garage, Beth and her husband knew that this space could be a family hub at the heart of their home. Beth dreamt of a kitchen where she could cook while the children were playing, where the dog would be welcome and with plenty of space to entertain guests.
Beth told us: “It was always my dream to have that classic Cotswold stone floor but realistically I knew this would be impractical and cold underfoot. We thought about installing the same herringbone floor as the rest of the house but our design consultant showed us the Indiana tile from the Karndean LooseLay range and I simply fell in love with it. It’s the perfect combination of the aesthetic I wanted and the convenience we need. The result is a realistic floor that’s really forgiving and so easy to keep clean.”
By opting for neutral colour schemes and durable materials in the boys’ playroom and bedrooms, Beth has given Ziggy and Oslo practical yet fun spaces that will grow with them.
Beth said: “Having a floor that’s so easy to keep clean was key for the boy’s playroom and bedrooms but I also wanted a surface that would be kind to tiny feet. I’ve added soft rugs and play areas that can be updated as they get bigger and their interests change.”
In the dual aspect master bedroom, Beth has opted for a cosy pale green on the walls and combined this with her signature look of light wood tones and layered textures.
The windows in this room face east and west, washing the room in cool light, but the warm tones of Washed Character Oak counterbalance this coolness. Beth has also added layered rugs and a snug armchair for extra cosiness.
Beth added: “My goal was to create a hotel-like space. You know when you arrive at a hotel and the bedroom is so beautiful and you can just flop onto the bed? I wanted that feeling.”
By choosing a warm neutral floor and taking this from room to room, Beth has given her home a cohesive welcoming feel and ensured that their home will remain a beautiful sanctuary for many years to come.
You can follow Beth’s family story on Instagram @bethsandland. To get this look in your home, explore our flexible herringbone designs.
