This month we are pleased to welcome our latest guest blogger, Dominique @cottagerenovationcwmrhys who has been gradually bringing her Victorian Welsh cottage back to life.
When Dominique and her partner Shaun first saw Cwmrhys Cottage it was love at first sight. Although in a sorry state, the cottage was blessed with a welcoming atmosphere and stunning vistas across the Ceredigion countryside. Their latest project has given their living room a warm comfortable feel and a luxurious finish.
“Hi, Dominique here. Welcome to our cosy country home which we have been gradually renovating since we bought it at auction in 2019, sharing our story on Instagram @cottagerenovationcwmrhys.
Blond Oak parquet from our Art Select collection
When we viewed the property for the first time I was instantly blown away by the far reaching farmland views and its lovely original features, my favourite being the inglenook fireplace in the living room. We looked past all the work that was needed and saw the huge potential in it.
Renovating our first home together has certainly been an adventure but a rewarding one. Taking on a complete renovation was daunting at first but, by tackling it one room at a time, it has meant that we’ve been able to create our dream home.
Our cottage is a period property so our style reflects that. We’ve opted for interiors that complement the original features, including exposed stone walls, beams and feature fireplaces. The modern county style in calming neutral colours and comfortable furnishings has created the warm atmosphere that we were after. Our living room is now the perfect place to snuggle up in front of a roaring fire while the winter winds whistle outside.
When we initially renovated the living room, which started off as three small rooms, we chose a wood effect laminate floor. However, we never felt that this flooring looked quite right in the living room and, after just a couple of years, it was already showing signs of wear. So we decided to change it for a more traditional style.
I’ve always loved parquet flooring and thought this would complement the room perfectly. Our living room is such a high traffic space and needed a floor that could stand the test of time. So we started looking for something that would be hardwearing but still have the look and feel of real wood.
After searching for the perfect flooring, we came across Karndean flooring and I fell in love with Blond Oak parquet from the Art Select range. With a highly authentic look of natural oak flooring, even down to the variation between planks and the textures of the grain, it’s hard to believe this isn’t the real thing. We instantly knew that this would be in keeping with the style of the cottage.
It was the best decision we could have made. It’s the perfect finishing touch. We absolutely adore the result. The floor is now the focal point of the room and creates so much warmth. I haven’t stopped staring at it since it was installed. Nobody can believe it’s not real wood, the effect is so realistic!
I would recommend Karndean to everyone. Not only does it offer a more cost effective option than real wood parquet but it’s hardwearing and is so practical and easy to keep clean, perfect for a busy household.
We can’t wait for Christmas this year, when we’ll be gathering all our family and friends together to enjoy this beautiful space with us. In fact, I’ve already started putting up our Christmas trees!”
If you love Dominique’s style, why not discover more about herringbone?
