Anyone who has always dreamed of building their own home has clear ideas about style and finish. For Lisa and David Wallace, who built this chic cottage from the ground up in 2020, it was important to create a tranquil and unique home with family life at its core.
Lisa also wanted to bring out as much as possible on the outside, so she used natural materials, including raw wood. Large wrap-around folding doors offer magnificent views of the surrounding landscape and a décor of soft pale greens and neutral tones reflects the colors of nature.
This harmonious oasis of a house, one of the the world’s best houses, promotes relaxation and well-being in every room. We took the tour to find out what gives this home such a serene vibe.
Open kitchen goes with the flow
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
kitchen ideas For this large open space, grey-green paneled cabinets were used to contrast with the white island and tulipwood breakfast bar. Homeowner David made the cabinets himself. The division of space into work area, seating area and dining/breakfast bar creates a sense of flow through the ground floor floor plan. The wooden chairs are old ones that have been refurbished with a fresh coat of paint and reupholstered.
Full height glass wall for light and view
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
The high ceilings are accented with a white panel, while the walls on both sides are painted in the same shade as the kitchen cabinets. Note the full-height glass wall at the gable end, which enhances the feeling that this home is immersed in the natural world.
Social seat in the kitchen
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
The kitchen flows seamlessly into the entrance hall, with porcelain floor tiles and wall paneling providing continuity. The steps consist of wooden sleepers.
Cozy corner in the kitchen
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
If you’re looking for family room ideas, get inspired by this comfortable setup on one side of the kitchen. Light floods the room through the large windows and a wood-burning stove creates a cozy nook – and atmospheric reflections at night. The coffee table, faux rattan chairs and sofa were all purchased in Spain, where the couple used to live.
utility room
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
Utility rooms aren’t just for dogs, but what pooch wouldn’t appreciate this smart space? Utility room ideas include pretty white floor-to-ceiling cabinets for storing awkward appliances like vacuum cleaners and ironing boards, and base cabinets for general storage. A cheerful rug softens the space.
Relaxing living room
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
living room ideas This second living room features calm neutral walls and furniture with the same floor tiles as elsewhere to maintain continuity through the downstairs space. This room doesn’t come close to using the family seat in the kitchen, but it’s a nice retreat in the evenings – especially with the fireplace.
Front entry way
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
who looks for hallway ideas might pinch a few from this room. Staying calm from the start sets the tone for the rest of this relaxing home. A sisal rug, stone floors, and brass pendant lights keep the palette in warm neutral tones, with a few plants here and there to add a sense of bringing the outside in. The inspiration for the color scheme came from the shades of pebbles on a beach.
Treatment room – a therapeutic room
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
Lisa is a Reiki practitioner and her own onsite treatment room was one of the luxuries that came with designing her own home. There is a similar sense of calm in this space as elsewhere in the house, with the same use of natural colors and textures. Again, full-height windows offer views of the garden and a sense of welcoming the outside in.
Primary bedroom
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
bedroom ideas This house is all about rest and relaxation – of course. The whitewashed, wood-clad vaulted ceiling adds the wow factor, while the grey-blue wall at the headboard creates a sense of serenity.
bathroom
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
If you are looking bathroom ideas, this minimalist scheme is a great choice for large or small bathrooms. Concrete look tiles create an industrial backdrop, while a wooden vanity warms up the scheme.
The outside view
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)
The front of the house is constructed of York Stone from a local scrap yard. The door was crafted by David from Accoya wood and given a natural finish. Aluminum windows add a modern touch.
The family is excited about their new home. “We like living here,” says Lisa. “There are no street lights and it is very peaceful. We love the peace and quiet.”