AN UTTERLY CHARMING BRITISH ABODE YOU CAN VACATION IN
Greetings to all my favorite people. Thank you for stopping by. Today I wanted to take you inside an utterly charming British abode you can vacation in. The home I’m about to show you is listed on one of my favorite vacation rental websites, Unique Home Stays. As the owner of a vacation rental property myself (Stone Hill Cottage), I truly appreciate this website which so beautifully showcases some of the most magnificent homes I have ever seen. From tiny cottages like the one I’ll show you today, to mega manor houses reminiscent of Downton Abbey, this company has it all. And the best part is that they are all on the short term vacation rental market so they can be yours for the night. Plus with the recent devaluation of the British pound, the UK is now much more affordable for Americans!
Meet Filly Island. Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England, Filly Island is smack dab in The Cotswolds where Brad and I spent our honeymoon. What’s so great about The Cotswolds is its proximity to London, making it accessible in about 2 1/2 hours driving time through the enchanting English countryside. The Cotswolds are just chock full of the quintessential English villages you think of when you think England.
The small vacation rental I’m about to show you sits upon a tiny island accessed solely by a humpback bridge. There is something truly quite magical about this petite property.
Filly Island is a tiny triangular of land with a millstream on one side and the gurgling River Churn on the other. Could it get anymore perfect than this?
So come on inside and let’s look around, just leave your wellies by the door.
Stepping inside you enter the sitting room. I love the exposed stone and wonder why more of it wasn’t saved from stucco?
Look how they’ve turned an old tennis racket into a mirrored hook, ingenious!
The sitting room opens up into my favorite part of the cottage, the kooky kitchen which is a melange of industrial and pre-loved finds.
With a giant dose of ingenuity, the owners of this former 1700’s shop have reimagined reclaimed finds, turning them into a quirky yet beguiling interiorscape.
The galvanized rustic upcycled kitchen provides a unique backdrop for fire bucket light shades.
It takes great imagination to conjure the idea of using old wire baskets as kitchen cabinets. LOVE IT!
There is a sweet dining area just perfect for two that houses a unique table configured from some kind of vintage find.
I can just imagine enjoying a bottle of rose and some sharp English cheddar in this enchanting kitchen or on the perfectly perfect porch. Then as evening falls, I’d savor a romantic supper by candlelight.
Stepping back inside and just beyond the kitchen lies the bedroom
Here a vintage pullied airing rack is used for hanging clothes, and a sliding barn door maximises the cosy space.
An iron cartwheel has been reimagined into a statement piece above the British flag bedspread.
The curtains and pillow shams have been fashioned from old Hungarian grain sacks.
And just look at how old wooden crates become a nightstand, reclaimed wood and iron hinges have been crafted into a headboard and a wooden stump into a bedside lamp. What wonderful ways to find new homes for old artifacts.
The other end of the bedroom yet another space-saving barn door opens into the vintage style bathroom.
A strikingly red clawfoot tub with a rainshower overhead brings a touch of whimsy and pop of color to an otherwise white bathroom.
The old washtub sink and wall mounted faucets are like nothing I’ve seen before.
I can’t imagine a more romantic and charming place to spend a few wonderful days exploring The Cotswolds. It’s the perfect combination of rustic-luxe. Brad, if you’re reading this, I think we need to recreate our Cotswold honeymoon one day very soon. Filly Island is calling my name…
So there you have it: AN UTTERLY CHARMING BRITISH ABODE YOU CAN VACATION IN
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All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Unless otherwise credited, all photos are the original property of Celia Becker @ www.AfterOrangeCounty.com and may not be reproduced without specific permission. This post contains an affiliate link.
