No.12
The once-bland interiors of Rebecca and Chris Pope’s country cottage have had a magical makeover influenced by the nature outside
KITCHEN
The existing cabinetry was painted a beautiful green and a copper gilded worktop was added to the island. Kitchen cabinets in Bancha, Farrow & Ball. Hand-gilded copper resin worktop, Bland Design. Copper handles, The Hairpin Leg Company. Splashback tiles, Ca’ Pietra. Rustic floating shelves, Funky Chunky Furniture
DINING AREA
The window wall opposite the kitchen was painted the same green as the units to connect the two spaces. Round dining table, La Redoute. Dining chairs, Cult Furniture. Floor lamp, Made. Curtains, Modelli Fabrics. Curtain pole, Byron & Byron
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY 1930s detached cottage
ROOMS Open-plan sitting room, kitchen/dining area, office, cloakroom, five bedrooms, three bathrooms
LOCATION Suffolk
SITTING ROOM
A rattan lamp, sisal rug and textured wallpaper bring interest to this space and make it feel cosier. Wallpaper, Graham & Brown. Bespoke sisal rug, The Natural Rug Company. Floor lamp, Made
SITTING ROOM
Adding bespoke storage under the stairs has utilised the awkward space and transformed it into a design feature, providing a stylish backdrop to the sitting room. Grasscloth wallpaper, Osborne & Little. Bespoke cabinetry made by Modern Line; painted in Farrow & Ball’s Cornforth White. Patterned loveseat, Love Your Home
Like many Londoners, Rebecca and Chris Pope took the plunge to relocate from the Big Smoke to the countryside during the pandemic in December 2020. After falling in love with rural Suffolk, the couple finally settled on a 1930s cottage that had been extended over the years, attracted to its Tardis-like quality, abundance of natural light, open-plan living and incredible views of the River Debden.
The 1930s property was a generous size with five bedrooms, perfect for visiting family and friends, but it lacked the personality and warmth Rebecca and Chris craved. Every room was painted white, with grey and beige bathrooms, and the couple had mismatched furniture they had brought with them from their previous home that they felt just wasn’t working in the space.
‘We are surrounded by trees with amazing views of the river, which we find so peaceful – we just wanted to reflect that inside,’ explains Rebecca. ‘I also wanted to dial up the colour. I’ve never been that brave whenever I’ve decorated on my own, but this time I wanted to do something a bit different and push my own boundaries, hence calling in an interior designer to help.’
The couple d
