A quaint cottage in England's countryside showcases eclectic global flair.

The owners, avid collectors, have lovingly accumulated an array of treasures from diverse corners of the globe.

Renowned British interior designer James Thurstan Waterworth was appointed to revamp the Bradley Hare in 2019. This charming inn, situated within a 3,000-acre estate, is nestled in the picturesque village of Maiden Bradley, South West England. The property has been under the ownership of the Duke of Somerset since an impressive 1554. Waterworth's wife and fellow designer, Scarlett Supple, often joined him on visits to this idyllic region, which boasts a unique blend of natural beauty and community spirit.

A larger-than-expected farmhouse was rented by the couple outside the village, allowing them to escape London and their busy design practices on weekends. Waterworth's company, Thurstan, had recently completed the Zetter Bloomsbury hotel, while Supple headed Studio Supple. However after four years of trying to renovate this second home, they were struggling with its upkeep due to a rejected renovation plan by the local council. The following year, their family moved into a smaller, 1,722-square-foot house in Maiden Bradley's town center, where they could live more comfortably with their two young children, Bibi and Bertie.

A two-story cottage in England's countryside is comprised of two 19th-century cottages that were merged at some point and subsequently expanded upon. Upon moving Supple notes that the interior spaces had been stripped bare, offering a "blank canvas" for creative expression. To balance their individual tastes, Waterworth and Supple adopted a restrained approach, aiming to create a warm and inviting atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional cottage. In an effort to enhance the ground floor's functionality, they seamlessly integrated a small porch adjacent to the entrance with the adjacent sitting room. The decorating process focused on selecting soothing color palettes, including warm whites, soft mauve hues, and a custom teal shade from Francesca's Paints, now known as Thurstan Blue.

The couple's love for collecting is palpable throughout their quaint cottage, where every room is a treasure trove of eclectic finds. According to Waterworth, the key to making this hodgepodge work lies in its ability to somehow coalesce into a cohesive whole. A pair of antique finials, gifted by his stepmother on his 21st birthday, sits atop the Georgian-style mantel, surrounded by three mismatched armchairs from the same era. The room also boasts an 18th-century Spanish walnut banquet table and a rustic cupboard crafted in the Pyrenees mountains during the 1600s. In a nearby hallway, a cozy den features a Georgian English antique cabinet alongside a mid-20th century West African ceremonial chair and a teak-and-cane chair designed by Pierre Jeanneret. Adorning the walls are two 1950s vases shaped like ostrich eggs in brass holders created by Carl Auböck, while an upright Steinbach piano takes pride of place in one corner – often, Waterworth admits, after a few drinks.

In this charming English countryside cottage, Supple's passion for antique fabrics is evident throughout. The room's windows are framed with a stunning perde, a type of Persian textile known for its vibrant hues, while a midcentury Turkish kilim adds a pop of color draped over the back of an 1850s oak-legged sofa. A unique ottoman combines a late 19th-century hemp sheet with a denim-colored hemp-and-cotton blend from Studio Supple's home collection, which debuted last year and showcases Supple's flair for vintage finds. The collection initially focused on textiles but has since expanded to include cushions, ceramics crafted in collaboration with London-based artist Ho Lai, double-sided bed throws, and reupholstered antique furniture. Upstairs, the primary bedroom features several pieces from the collection, including hand-pleated lampshades and a vintage walnut-dyed hemp sheet in bottle green paired with an acorn-printed bolster cushion on the bed.

The cottage in England's countryside serves as a dynamic space where the family resides and also tests the boundaries of Supple's eclectic collection and Waterworth's innovative designs. Last year marked a significant milestone for the house, solidifying its role as a full-time home for the family. The couple's exposure to unique pieces, such as an early 20th-century embroidered Turkmen caftan spotted at the Zetter Hotel in Bloomsbury in April, has undoubtedly influenced their design approach. A future goal is to consolidate their home and businesses under one roof, potentially requiring a new location. However the Maiden Bradley house will always be cherished for its ability to facilitate experimentation and evolution, as Supple emphasizes: "It's not about achieving perfection; it can continuously adapt."

Stylist: Twig Hutchinson