After relocating to the Cotswolds, England, to start a new chapter, Rory and India Hunter weren't actively seeking a renovation project... until a former banking hall overlooking Stow-on-the-Wold's storybook market square came up for auction.
Sure, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. But, acting on complete instinct, the couple saw something others might have missed and placed a winning bid that set in motion their first design venture together: The Vaults at Stow.
Where fluorescent lighting and rows of desks once defined the space, there are now three thoughtfully designed, bijoux boutique apartments – each layered with individual color, character, and comfort.
While the Cotswolds are often synonymous with stone cottages and rustic house design, The Vaults takes a distinctly different approach.
'Although many buildings surrounding us are in the very traditional Cotswolds stone style, ours is fronted by a beautiful Georgian façade, setting it apart,' India explains. 'With this in mind, we leaned more into the ‘townhouse’ style of building – anything else would have felt jarring against its architectural features.'
'The original building itself was actually demolished in the '70’s and rebuilt with a Georgian-inspired façade to serve the town as a Bank until it closed in 2022,' she adds of the history of the building.
'It was such a complete blank space, but we had quite a clear vision for it from the outset. We weren’t put off by the mass of concrete or the old bank workers’ washrooms, we could see its potential behind the sad tile squares and fluorescent strip lights.'
'"The Vaults" came from the building's banking history and the fact that we had the original ‘Vault’ and strong room on the ground floor,' India continues. 'Although we were giving the building a new purpose, we still wanted a small reminder of its past. We named each apartment after a piece of old English money: Tuppence, Farthing, and Shilling.'
From the outset, the couple’s intention was to create spaces that felt as considered as a boutique hotel, without losing the warmth and ease of home.
'I had a vision for these apartments, to feel like you could be staying in a gorgeous design-led hotel, with home comforts at the forefront. Games, books, and sumptuous bedding,' she adds. 'I think when you love to travel, you become quite discerning with little luxuries.'
Stepping inside, the apartments each open into a light-filled living room and dining space that instantly feels both enveloping and convivial. 'Each apartment has its own personality, and therefore color scheme, but they are woven together with a red thread, making them feel one and the same.'
'I remember staying in a yellow bedroom at Thyme, here in the Cotswolds, and the desire to create a strong color palette for each individual apartment became something I couldn’t let go of!'
'Shilling feels light and feminine with its pinks and greens. Tuppence feels joyful and cool with its yellows, browns, and blues. And Farthing feels very grown up, with its reds, creams, and blues,' India explains.
'To me, they feel rooted in tradition with architectural features paired with fun and modern twists coming from the beautiful fabrics chosen,' she adds of the aesthetic.
The furnishings in each space strike a careful balance between comfort and character. Crucially, though, it’s the addition of antiques and collected pieces that brings a sense of story to what was once a blank, characterless shell.
'When we purchased the building, there wasn’t much character to enhance, but we hope we created spaces that feel like they encompass whoever stays there with character, color, and style. The antique dressers that we purchased from a local antiques center bring so much joy every time I pop in, I really feel it's worth investing in antique pieces where sometimes ‘original’ character sometimes lacks.'
'We then added fun elements like the rug handcrafted in India and the artwork on the wall, such as the Cecil Beaton print,' she adds.
In keeping with the apartments’ considered approach to small space design, the kitchenettes are compact but thoughtfully executed – designed less for family-scale cooking and more for small breakfast moments.
'Whilst we don’t have full cooking facilities, we do think it's important that there is somewhere for guests to have their morning coffee and croissant comfortably,' says India.
'We offer a small kitchenette in each apartment, which was made bespoke by a local joiner, fitted with brass hardware, deVOL brass taps, and a Thomas Crapper sink. They’re bijoux but perfectly sized to make a delicious coffee, herbal tea, and a piece of toast.'
Speaking of breakfast, perhaps one of the most unexpected features of The Vaults is its al fresco dining spots.
'Each apartment has its own outside space with terraces looking out over Stow and the Cotswolds beyond,' India adds. 'It's a real retreat within the center of a town, and when the sun is out, we hope our guests can enjoy drinks before supper here or their morning coffee soaking in the morning light.'
If the living spaces set the tone, the bedrooms are where the apartments truly come into their own. Designed with rest and retreat in mind, each one centers around a generous bed – an intentional choice that speaks to the couple’s priorities from the outset.
'As you enter the bedrooms, we made sure to include a full super king-sized bed in each apartment, as getting a good night’s sleep is at the top of the list for us wherever we travel,' says India.
That focus on a good night's sleep is carried through in every detail. 'We sourced fabulous mattresses made in the UK using sustainable materials such as wool and cashmere, and linens that are also used in some of the top hotels across the country,' she adds. 'Again, comfort was our number one objective.'
Bespoke joinery, crafted by a local maker, brings both function and finesse, with built-in wardrobes and bedside tables designed to sit seamlessly within the scheme. It’s a refined, hotel-inspired approach, but one that never feels austere.
The bathrooms are, without question, some of the most indulgent moments within each apartment – spaces designed not just for function, but for slowing down and switching off entirely.
In Shilling and Tuppence, freestanding roll-top baths take center stage, positioned to invite long, unhurried soaks.
'The bathrooms are a real feature, and we have had so many lovely compliments from guests who have managed to soak away a few hours in the roll top baths.'
'We wanted to ensure we chose the best fittings so all sanitaryware is Lefroy Brooks and products offered are from ‘Austin Austin’, a family-run business producing organic toiletries in Norfolk. Ottoline wallpapers cover the walls in here, too.'
The combination of heritage fittings, richly patterned wallpaper or soft wall hues, and tactile surfaces creates a layered, cocooning effect that feels both timeless and luxurious across all three schemes.
That same sense of thoughtfulness extends to the more intimate details.
India's favorite not-to-miss moment is the carefully curated selection of books. 'I curated a collection of books for the space, some great Cotswold walks, beautiful art reference books, poetry of Betjeman…something for everyone. As an avid reader myself, I hope everyone would be able to find something they’d be interested in to flick through whilst having their morning coffee in bed.'
It’s a small touch, but one that speaks volumes about the intention behind the design.
Of course, bringing a project like this to life wasn’t without its challenges.
Securing planning approval was one of the more nerve-wracking stages, particularly having already committed to the purchase. 'The entire project was a risk for sure, not knowing if we were going to be granted permission to do what we wanted – that was absolutely nerve-wracking, as we were in too deep having purchased the property already,' India reflects.
'It was mine and Rory’s first project together, after setting up our company together in 2022. I loved working together, spurring each other on in our decision-making and having someone to bounce ideas off. We both have our own disciplines, so we happily took care of the elements we know and love. But working as a team was wonderful and set the scene for our further projects together.'
What began as a characterless, empty banking hall is now a place defined by warmth, personality, and a deep attention to detail – despite its compact footprint – where every decision has been made with the experience of the guest in mind.
For Rory and India, that was always the goal. 'I want everyone to feel like they’ve walked into a home away from home, at ease, in beautiful surroundings with everything they’d need at their fingertips. We really tried hard to think of everything that makes a stay away feel thoughtful and considered.'
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