FULL OF HEART AND HISTORY
A SENSE OF THE SEASONS
With its beautifully exposed stone walls and characterful charm throughout , this house understandably comes into its own during the winter months . You appreciate its thick set walls and heavy stone flag roof , providing cocooning comfort and warmth . “ Summer is my favourite season though ,” says Steph . “ Sunlight inspires me most and the summer light in the house makes our stone walls glow and come to life . I love the abundance of cottage flowers in the garden - cow parsley , lupins , alliums , foxgloves and cosmos . I ’ m big on decorating with the seasons and look forward to filling the house with these freshly picked flowers as they each come into season . I ’ ve planted lots of bulbs too that I ’ m so excited to see come spring .”
Come rain or shine , Steph tells us they spend most of their time around the dining table . “ This spot feels like the heart of our home . For crafts , meals , board games , birthdays and homework , now that my eldest has started school . Our Chester Stone
table sits in front of our log burning stove so it ’ s a really cosy place to gather . I love that it can extend out to 280cm to comfortably fit our extra family members round when they visit too .
“ Practical , well-built furniture is so important in a home , and having the right furniture in the right place . Like our Farmhouse Painted shoe bench next to the front door that we can perch on whilst pulling shoes off and then put them tidily away .”
What else creates that unmistakable feeling of home for the Gowlands ? “ I think just being comfortable and feeling relaxed . The five senses have a lot to do with making a house a home for me . Hearing giggles and music , feeling soft wools and velvets or hard quality woods , or simply smelling a beautiful candle burning .”
See more of Steph ' s beautiful home on Instagram at @ stephgowla .
Winchcombe Smoked Oak chest 238.003 , £ 895 | LSA Mia vase / lantern H25.5cm 928.667 , £ 25
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