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FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE ADDRESS BOOK``````little house, and it sort of dictates our lifestyle. It leadsyou into the garden to grow the vegetables; it makesyou appreciate nature outside and bring nature inside.It’s just very undemanding and, I think, inspirational.”The first Cabbages fabric was a faded rose print thatharmonised with the natural pallor of the house. “Itwas a great relief to get rid of the old curtains, and tohang up something more gentle and delicious.”Although the walls of the cottage are mostly paintedin muted Farrow & Ball shades, the schemes are notminimal. Each room is filled with cherished curios. “Iwould rather everything is neutral, and I can then havepossessions that can tell the story.” In the snug, whichis Christina’s favourite room, all manner of objectsnarrate the scene, from a jam-packed bookcase tellingof far-flung travels, to farm animal paintings collectedover the years; all cleverly balanced by neutral wallsand airy fabrics to lighten the phrasing of the room.During the winter, the snug fireplace is lit, alongwith all the other fires in the house, and come thefestivities, the toasty rooms are full to the brim withguests. “We have a lot of people staying at Christmas.We’re also very lucky because our grandchildren livenext door,” Christina enthuses. She is clearly lookingforward to creating many more Christmas memories,as the family grow up in this unique halcyon setting. n``````ABOVE Neutralbedroom wallsprovide a crispbackdrop for artworkand mementos. Theornate mirror abovethe bed is vintage.Duvet cover, HatleyCerise Cabbagesrange, available fromJohn Lewis. Bedsidetablecloth, AlderneyRaspberry on linen.RIGHT The guestbedroom is paintedin Babouche fromFarrow & Ball, addinga punchy contrast tothe faded Toile dePoulet blind, byCabbages & Roses.### 34 THE ENGLISH HOMETEH UK DEC15 HOUSE - Strutt.indd 34 14/10/2015 10:05