My English Cottage

I have been dreaming about this cottage ever since I can remember.  This is my cottage.  In their heart of hearts every girl has a dream house, and this is mine.  It's not big or fancy, modern or hip.  Rather, my cottage is cozy, charming, quaint, and "idyllic".   All the things a dream house is made of.

I have imagined every detail right down to the floral cafe curtains in the kitchen.  I've drank tea by the fire, napped on the sofa, and made soup on the little stove in the kitchen.  It's a home to raise kids, have pets in the yard,  wisteria on the fence, and white twinkle lights across the fireplace. 

Care to come inside? (you can double click on any of the photos to make them larger)

This is the entryway.  Hang your sweater and leave your boots by the door. 

This is the living room.  The style is quintessential English cottage.  It's darling.
 

My favorite piece is the blue velvet ottoman.  How adorable is that?

The furniture is soft and squishy - with lots of pillows.  Curl up by the fire and relax.  The kettle is on. I'll have earl gray with honey and cream.  What will you have?
 

Welcome to the kitchen - my favorite room in the house! I love small kitchens.  They always smell of something yummy baking in the oven.  Chocolate chip cookies perhaps?  And what's a small kitchen without a small, round table.  So cute.  Do you like the acorn garland hanging from the fireplace?  How about the blue checkerboard plates on the mantel?  And don't you love how the cabinet knobs are painted the same color as the cabinets? Little touches that make the kitchen the heart of this home.  Love, love, love....

Before going upstairs I must show you the den.  This is the perfect spot to sit and read, or write in a journal.  The door leads to the backyard.  It's the same style as the front door.  I love the little windows. 

This is the master bedroom.  Because the room is small, the fire keeps it warm so it's always cozy.  It's the perfect place to be on chilly nights.  I love the style of the bed along with the mismatched pieces of furniture.  I also love all the table lamps.  Lamplight is much more romantic than the brightness of ceiling lights. 

This is the bathroom.  Bubble bath anyone? I love everything about this house right down to the teeny, tiny, little bathtub.

My dream house is in the quaint English village of Shere, in Surrey England.  Have you recognized it yet?  

A few years ago I saw the movie The Holiday and low and behold....there was my cottage.  It had come to life right before my very eyes.  Just as I had imagined it.  And it was as lovely and charming as I had dreamed. 

The Holiday quickly became one of my favorite movies.  It stars Kate Winselt and Cameron Diaz in a story about two women who, both trying to escape their lives, switch houses for the Christmas holiday.  Kate's character Iris, lives in England and Cameron's character Amanda, lives in Los Angeles.  While both living out of their element they quickly discover that anything can happen.  Anything being Jude Law and Jack Black.  I watch this movie all the time whenever I am in need of a good chick flick. 

But the real star of this movie is Iris's English cottage.  After I saw the movie I had to go online and research it. I was SHOCKED to find that this house is not real.  It was constructed in a matter of weeks (made of fiberglass) just for the movie and after shooting wrapped it was torn down.  *SIGH*.

I couldn't believe what I was reading so I checked several sources and they all said the same thing. How sad.  Yes, there were pictures but I couldn't bring myself to post them : - (

Couldn't you imagine Christmas in this cottage?  I would have an old fashioned tree with strings of popcorn and cranberries hanging from the branches.  It reminds me of a Currier & Ives photograph.

I found a wonderful website called www.picturesofengland.com and found some beautiful pictures of Surrey which was in fact where some of the movie was shot.  If I lived in my dream house here are some of things I would see....

Taking a stroll down the road....

Passing through the park to pick some bluebells....

throwing a coin in the fountain.  Make a wish.

Visiting neighbors on my way to the village....

for some shopping...

browsing....

and eating.

A leisurely walk home....

to see the sunset....

while the church bells chime.  This is my idea of a perfect day. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a place so picturesque? 

Although I must admit there really IS no place like home, but if I had a second choice, this would be it. 

I heart England, where my English cottage awaits me.