Wild & whimsical

An undeniable sense of comfort and warmth fills the sitting room of this quintessential Cotswolds cottage. With the crackling fire, twinkling lights and tantalising aroma of handmade mince pies, it is the perfect place for interior designer James Mackie and gardener, author and illustrator Arthur Parkinson to host friends for a small get-together before heading off on their separate ways to celebrate Christmas.

Despite its humble origins as an estate worker’s home, the 17th-century cottage, tucked down a tiny country lane, has a great sense of character. “It has real soul. It feels like it throws its arms around you,” says James, who bought the cottage in 2016, searching for a weekend escape from his demanding role heading up the Impressionist and Modern Art department at Sotheby’s. It was the spiral staircase crafted from Cotswold stone with its amazing patina that first captured his eye. “My heart leapt and that was the moment I knew,” he recalls.

As with many older buildings, there were pressing matters that needed addressing. Electricals were reworked, interiors painted throughout, and a staircase was installed at the far end of the house to replace a metal ladder. After the initial work was completed, however, James took a break from renovations. “I encourage clients to live for three to four seasons in a house before they start to bash it about. It’s so useful to actually work a house out. So, I did that, then started a big renovation in 2019.”

After leaving Sotheby’s at the start of 2020, James could no longer resist the call of the country and left London permanently, setting up his own interior design studio that summer. Arthur moved in later that

same year, instantly as enamoured with the cottage as James was. “It’s so beautiful from the outside,” he says. “It looks like a little Beatrix Potter watercolour.”

A desire for spaces to entertain, inspired several of the changes to the layout of the cottage. The main entrance was moved fro