Before & After: Bramble Cottage

Sensitive Cottage Extension | Interior Designer Somerset & Cotswolds

There is something deeply special about working on historic cottages. Their character, proportions and patina tell a story - and any alteration must feel respectful rather than imposed.

In this Before & After: Bramble Cottage project, we were appointed to sensitively enhance and extend a charming period property while preserving its architectural heritage and original character.

The brief was clear: create a home that felt generous and comfortable for modern family life - without compromising the integrity of the historic building.

For homeowners across Somerset, Bath, Bristol and the Cotswolds, this balance between old and new is often the greatest design challenge.

Here’s how we approached it.

The Before: Charming but Constrained

Bramble Cottage was rich in character, but like many period homes, it had evolved over time in a way that limited functionality.

The original footprint felt compact and compartmentalised. While cosy, it lacked the openness required for modern family life - particularly around cooking, dining and gathering.

Our clients wanted:

• A spacious kitchen and dining area

• A snug for everyday relaxation

• Better flow between old and new spaces

• A design that felt entirely in keeping with the cottage’s history

• Subtle luxury without obvious modern intrusion

The Extension: Honouring Proportion & Detail

A substantial extension was introduced to house a new kitchen, dining area and snug - spaces designed for gathering, daily rituals and quiet retreat.

When working on extensions across Somerset and the Cotswolds, proportion is everything. An addition must never feel bolted on. It should feel inevitable - as though it had always belonged.

Particular care was taken to ensure that:

• Rooflines aligned harmoniously

• Window proportions reflected the original cottage

• Materials echoed the existing structure

• Architectural detailing remained sympathetic

The goal was not contrast, but continuity.

Seamlessly Connecting Old & New

One of the most important elements of this project was ensuring a seamless transition between the original house and the new extension.

To achieve this, we commissioned bespoke wall panelling designed specifically to flow naturally from the existing hallway into the extended space.

This panelling:

• Mirrors the proportions of the original architecture

• Creates rhythm and visual cohesion

• Softens the scale of the new addition

• Establishes continuity throughout the home

In period homes across Bath and Bristol, I often use bespoke joinery as a bridging tool - helping contemporary spaces feel rooted in history.

The Kitchen & Dining Space: Generous Yet Grounded

The new kitchen and dining area now form the heart of the home.

Designed for everyday family life as well as entertaining, the space feels open and welcoming without losing the intimacy that defines a cottage.

Finishes were carefully selected to honour the age of the building:

• Natural materials with warmth and texture

• Subtle colour tones that feel timeless rather than trend-led

• Hardware and fittings chosen for authenticity

Rather than creating a starkly modern kitchen, we introduced a layer of quiet luxury - understated, refined and deeply comfortable.

This is often what clients across Somerset and the Cotswolds are seeking: elevated interiors that don’t feel flashy or out of place.

The Snug: A Space for Retreat

Alongside the kitchen and dining area, a snug was introduced within the extension - a softer, more intimate room designed for retreat.

In family homes, it’s important to create varied atmospheres. Not every room should feel expansive; some should cocoon and calm.

Through layered lighting, textured fabrics and thoughtful furniture placement, the snug provides exactly that: a pause within the home.

Furnishings & Decorative Storytelling

Antiques, artwork and decorative pieces were thoughtfully sourced to sit comfortably alongside the architecture.

This layered approach ensures the home feels enriched rather than redesigned.

Across my interior design projects in Bristol, Bath and the Cotswolds, I often integrate:

• Antique furniture for authenticity

• Artwork that reflects the landscape or heritage

• Decorative pieces with narrative value

These elements anchor a space and prevent it from feeling newly constructed or overly curated.

Instead, Bramble Cottage now feels evolved - as though generations have contributed to its story.

The After: A Cottage Reimagined for Modern Life

The transformation of Bramble Cottage demonstrates that extending a historic home need not compromise its integrity.

Through careful detailing, bespoke craftsmanship and considered material selection, the house now feels:

• Generous without being oversized

• Comfortable without losing character

• Cohesive from old to new

• Rooted in history yet entirely suited to contemporary living

Most importantly, it feels natural.

As an interior designer working across Somerset and the Cotswolds, my approach is always to design in dialogue with the building - not in opposition to it.

Planning a Cottage Extension in Somerset or the Cotswolds?

Extending a period property requires sensitivity, experience and careful coordination between architecture and interior design.

At Khaya Studio, we work with homeowners in Bristol, Bath, Somerset and the Cotswolds who want:

• End-to-end design management

• Cohesive interiors from concept to completion

• Respect for architectural heritage

• Subtle, refined luxury

• Calm, considered family homes

If you’re planning an extension and want to ensure it feels entirely in keeping with your home’s character, I would love to help.

You can explore more of our portfolio here.

Or get in touch to arrange an initial consultation.

Because the most successful extensions don’t feel new - they feel meant to be.