See the cosy cottage where we’d love to spend Christmas
Guests are always guaranteed a warm welcome at Marie and Simon Nichols’ charmingly renovated cottage
‘Christmas is all about gathering family together and singing carols, snuggling up in front of the fire and watching a festive movie’
Think of a traditional Christmas and chances are you’ll conjure up images of roaring fires, cosy living spaces and a kitchen that’s perfect for rustling up tasty treats the whole family can enjoy. It’s no wonder, then, that Marie and Simon’s renovated cottage in the Kent countryside comes into its own during the festive season. With its exposed beams, woodburning stove and chic Scandi-style décor, it’s got us dreaming of tucking into mince pies and a glass of mulled wine. ‘I’m a traditional girl at heart,’ says Marie. ‘For me Christmas is all about gathering family together and singing carols, snuggling up in front of the fire and watching a festive movie.’
The Christmas deadline loomed large for the couple when they first bought the run-down cottage in the summer of 2012, as they planned to have most of the ground floor completed in six months. Like many large renovation projects, however, the house had other ideas and it ended up taking more than two years. ‘I remember posting a picture on Instagram of a tiny Christmas tree sat in the middle of the building site with a caption along the lines of, “We may not have central heating or hot water, but we have a Christmas tree!”’
Despite Marie and Simon both working and spending a lot of time in London, they’re not really city people and prefer open space and green fields to the hustle and bustle of the capital. As seasoned renovators, they spent a year searching for the perfect character home until they stumbled across this place. Located in the neighbouring village to where Marie had grown up, the couple could see past its dreadful state, instantly falling for the three-storey property.
Restoring its original character while also updating the interior to make it suitable for modern living was key to the couple’s vision, although Marie admits that at times it felt like they’d bitten off more than they could chew. ‘The house hadn’t been touched for about 40 years so there was no central heating or hot water, which meant we had to boil the kettle just to wash up,’ she says. ‘We were also expecting our first child when we started the work, and living in a building site for well over a year was far from ideal. There were times I couldn’t even put the baby down because everywhere was covered in building dust.’
Over time, the couple exposed the vaulted ceilings, timber beams and stunning inglenook fireplaces that had been boarded over, and brought the original features and floorboards back to life. The ground floor layout was updated, turning three rooms at the back of the house into an open-plan kitchen-diner with large windows and French doors out to the garden. The bathroom was also moved upstairs into what had previously been wasted attic space over the kitchen.
The majority of walls and ceilings in the house are now painted off-white, which Marie feels enhances the sense of space in the house. ‘I love using strong colour in my work, but due to the age of the cottage and all the lovely texture and tones of the original wood, it just wouldn’t feel right here,’ she explains. Instead the couple have added drama with furniture and accessories in rich dark greys and blacks to offset the neutral tones. ‘We’ve stayed true to the character of the property, but also tried to mix our love of contemporary design with the more rustic features.’
Top of Marie’s Christmas day wishlist is to be surrounded by family, so creating a cosy and welcoming space is key. She decorates the house with an understated mix of decorations in paper, wood and felt, teamed with natural foliage that the family collects while out walking the dog. ‘When I was a child, my Mum was always making and crafting with us, be it Christmas decorations, gifts and cards, or baking cookies and decorating the Christmas cake.’ It’s a tradition that Marie is keen to continue with her boys. ‘As soon as December arrives we start getting festive,’ she says.
‘I like to surround myself with pieces that mean something to me, that bring back a memory or raise a smile. In years to come, I hope I’m still decorating the tree with ornaments we made with the boys when they were young.’