If you have ever imagined a dream cottage, tucked just-so into the English countryside, then Clacks Cottage might just be it. With its caramel-coloured Cotswold stone façade and blooming wraparound garden, this 18th-century gem has become the anchor for a former city-dwelling family’s new, slower-paced life.
For homeowner Emma Le Geyt, moving to the countryside wasn’t about escaping, it was about finding a new rhythm and an appreciation for a simpler way of being. ‘I’ve lived in London since my university days and loved it for all its energy and the opportunities it’s given to me,’ she explains, ‘but we craved a less hurried lifestyle and wanted to feel part of a village community.’
From the first viewing, Emma and her husband, Sinclair, were smitten with the sprawling views across open farmland, with the nearby village of Bampton visible on the horizon.
‘The cottage is steeped in history and was originally three smaller dwellings dating back to 1750,’ says Emma. ‘It was in need of some urgent care and attention, but there was no doubt in our minds, from that very first visit, we could create a beautiful home.’
The front of the cottage is original and inside, many characterful features were still in place, including wooden beams, exposed stone walls and fireplaces. A sympathetic extension, added about 18 years ago, had created more living space without compromising any of the historic appeal.
‘Structurally, the cottage was sound, so there was no need for any major renovation work, but inside there were unfinished walls, some boarded over beams and piles of rubble everywhere. We discovered that the cottage had been part-renovated by a builder but was never completed,’ says Emma.
With her many years of experience in interior design, including working with Kelly Hoppen, Clacks Cottage was in safe hands with its new owner. ‘We worked room by room, rejuvenating walls and surfaces and restoring original features,’ explains Emma. ‘Then we painted the walls in a soft white to complement our curated blend of vintage finds and timeless pieces.’
With a limited budget, Emma focused on thoughtful design choices for maximum impact and drew upon materials and craftsmanship typical of the era.
‘Part of my work ethic is to re-use and upcycle where possible, and this ethos was just as important in my own home. The kitchen has solid cabinetry and a lovely granite worktop, so we simply refreshed it by installing new handles and adding softer lighting for a warmer ambience. The Aga was already in place.’
The beamed living room brims with rustic charm, which Emma has cleverly balanced with layered textiles and comfortable seating. Upstairs, the bedrooms reveal a more dramatic transformation.
‘Our daughter Isla’s room was a building site. Once we’d stripped back the ceiling to reveal the original beams, smoothed and painted the walls and added a new carpet, we were able to create a bedroom full of imagination, with plenty of books and toys, and a whimsical wigwam.’
In the main bedroom, Emma has opted for a contrasting wall colour in a darker hue to embrace the low, beamed ceiling and enhance the earthy tones of the Cotswold stone. ‘Everything we’ve done is designed to elevate the beauty of what’s already here, so nothing jars or feels out of place,’ she says.
‘So many vintage pieces I’ve gathered over the years sit beside newer pieces as though they’ve always been together. I often say to my clients, buy the things you love and let your home build up throughout your life and tell your story.’
When Emma and Sinclair first decided to make the move to the Cotswolds, Emma’s one doubt was whether she’d feel isolated, but her local community has proved otherwise.
‘We’ve been welcomed from the day we moved in, and everyone in the village is so neighbourly,’ says Emma. ‘There’s so much going on, including the summer fete, open gardens and even a morris dancing crawl through the village. There’s certainly no time to be lonely but it’s all at a much slower pace.’
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This article originally appeared in Country Homes & Interiors.
