Situated in the idyllic village of Elterwater, interior designer Katharine Pooley’s recently refurbished, luxurious self-catered home is available for booking.
In the heart of the Lake District lies the sleepy village of Elterwater. The village is flanked by bracken-clad heathland and nestled against the magnificent backdrop of the Langdale Pikes. The serenity of the landscape is relatively recent; these dramatic mountains were once the site of gunpowder mines and slate quarries in use from the Napoleonic Wars until the early 20th century.
Peace is now the order of the day and with its slow pace and picturesque topography, Elterwater has become a much-loved destination for walking holidays. When interior designer Katharine Pooley visited the idyllic village back in 2016, she was much impressed by the archaic stonework and the beautiful green landscape. She had her heart set on buying one of the original, unorthodox quarryman cottages there; when the opportunity arose, she leapt at the chance.
Over the past two years, Pooley and her team underwent a painstaking restoration project of one of these cottages which has proven to be a true labour of love. Titled "Little Nut Cottage", every detail and finish chosen rooted in the building’s original fabric and locale gets updated to suit modern family living.
The craftsmanship of local labourers, stonemasons, garden designers and artisans is central to the designer’s original vision for the two-bedroom cottage. These include soft-toned rugs from Sinclair Till, lighting and furniture pieces from Soane London, as well as fabrics from the likes of Colefax and Fowler, C&C Milano.
The small scale renovation requires every nook and cranny to be utilised to maximise functionality and provide storage. On the ground floor are a beautiful kitchen and a utility/boot room that ensures all practical needs are met. The kitchen opens into an open-plan living and dining room with a feature fireplace and log burning wood burning stove creating the perfect cosy atmosphere on cooler evenings.
On the second floor, the master bedroom is set in a soft blue tone, creating a welcoming ambience, with a simple oak-framed four-poster bed sets against an installation of hand-sculpted porcelain flowers by Artisan Studios.
The second bedroom, designed with Pooley’s two sons in mind, is warm and snug in shades of vibrant orange, where a collection of straw hats hung on one wall and wooden wall sculptures injects a dash of fun into the space.
Behind the cottage, a terraced garden blooming with laurel and lilac is established on the hillside. Featuring a hot tub, lounge sitting area, barbeque grill and dining areas, it is the perfect place to wind down and indulge in the majestic surrounding landscape.
Little Nut Cottage is easily the prettiest of country boltholes, and the best bit is you can stay and experience this exquisitely designed home first hand. The property is now available to book for accommodation for groups of up to 4 throughout the year. Residents can make the most of the famous lakes, traditional towns, villages and hamlets in the vicinity, as well the F&B destinations nearby.
littlenutcottage.co.uk
