A Model for Mixing Whites in a Calm Cotswold Cottage

Someone please tell my husband it’ll be a piece of cake to build a wee stone cottage like this one. Just a few truckloads of ancient stone and bricks, yes? Reclaimed wood (with a perfectly aged patina) from a few European teardowns, right? A crew of artisans who know their way around plaster and limestone and will accept Swedish pancakes as payment, yeah? Fine. Until we someday create something subpar in comparison, this model for mixing whites in a calm Cotswold cottage will inspire! This English country cottage from Anton & K always takes my breath away.

Calm Cotswold Cottage: A Model for Mixing Whites

Warm & Varied Putty Tones

Earthy warm whites, tan, beige, putty and limestone are so rich and harmonious together as reflected in the stone inside and out of this beautiful home.

It’s such an inspiring idea for any interior: let the color story reflect the natural materials playing a starring role.

But can walls be a cool, crisp white with such a color story? Indeed.

Need an idea for a white for this effect? The walls remind me of Super White. Check out THIS about BM White OC-151, THIS covering BM Chantilly Lace, and THIS for choosing a great white.

Greige, Beige & a White Rainbow

It is easy to see how expansive small rooms with sloping ceilings when they are wrapped in calm tone on tone. (Just imagine if this room below was dark and moody rather than airily celestial.)

In addition to modeling the beauty of a mix of whites (off whites, greyed whites, cool and warm whites), it also models big style in a small footprint. Here’s a little cabin tour:

Are the soft, tranquil neutrals singing to you? After sharing a few muted beige and greige moments of glory HERE, I was reminded of the power of a muted mood.

Life can get loud with chaos and saturated with stimulation. For those among us easily overstimulated, there is retreat from the noise.

A Mix of Natural Pale Tones

It’s such a bonus that these homeowners live so spare so we may notice the interplay of whites and neutrals throughout this cottage.

Why do we so often think every surface must be adorned? With free space, it isn’t just restful for the eye, it is an opportunity to dream!

These antique dealers who dwell in the cottage live spare until they discover the perfect object or furniture piece.

Contrast & Quiet Color in a Calm English Cottage

There are always rich opportunities for dramatic contrast where muted tones prevail. For high contrast here, black, charcoal and stained wood draw the eye.

Even more than tonal contrast, textural contrast richly energizes the rooms, creating tension and interest. While there is an absence of anything glossy or reflective (beyond the mirrors), there are nubby things, scrubbed things, rough and smooth, and hard and soft.

Is Pale Limestone Calling?

Good gracious. I could stare at the pale limestone below forever. There’s just something evocative about strong yet soft, timeless yet approachable, luxe yet humble limestone.

Also worth mentioning is the contrast of iron railing in the sea of white. Without competing, it is a beautiful architectural element that refuses to be ornate or fussy.

The Integrity of Natural Texture

Which textures should you consider if you’re skipping color yet going for interest and depth?

I need only think a little about the textured ceilings we inherited with our current home. The texture is what I would consider “faux texture” from drywall mud intended to look like stucco. It is not desirable because artificial textures rarely feel right or authentic. When it’s possible, make sure the materials derive from nature. It’s almost always more expensive and labor intensive, and there’s good reason!

The Magic & Music of Harmonious Neutrals

It’s hard to resist a country cottage where thoughtful layers of ecru, stone, putty, ivory, and alabaster harmonize.

I mean, isn’t this selling the idea of collecting for color!?!

I’m also noticing the harmony of the interiors with the facade…

Hmmmmm. Our facade is rosy muted red brick, and I don’t have a stitch of red inside. Is it time to change our exterior? Hahahaha. Are you curious about the stacked stone below? I don’t often see it in dry stacks this way. (Frequently we see it over-mortared, yes?)

There’s something mood altering when whites are layered in a rustic setting.

White brings a cohesiveness, softens, and can feel so optimistic.

In fact, I wonder how many people who say they must have color at home for their interiors sense that it would be too difficult to live with the vulnerability of layered pale neutrals.

Because I think there’s truly vulnerability (literal and figurative) with such a color palette to which some of us have become accustomed.

Spare Living With Desaturated Hues

Whether it is about storage of objects and treasures so they can be rotated…

or actually purging and downsizing, it can be powerful (and even countercultural!) to live with less for more breathing room.

I seem to need reminders that little can become much, whether it is a beautifully decluttered interior or a palette with minimal pigmentation.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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