A lovingly restored slate quarryman’s cottage in the heart of England’s beautiful Lake District
Internationally renowned interior designer Katharine Pooley is delighted to announce the completion of Little Nut Cottage, a lovingly restored slate quarryman’s cottage available for booking in the idyllic English village of Elterwater and beside its namesake; Lake Elter Water (The Lake of the Swan), situated at the foot of the Great and little Langdale valley.
The dramatic mountains were once the site of gunpowder mines and slate quarries in use from the Napoleonic Wars until the early 20th century.
Katharine was impressed by the prettiness of the stonework and the topography’s beautiful depth of colour when she first visited Elterwater in 2016. She had her heart set on buying one of these unusual properties. When the opportunity arose in 2019, to own one of the original quarryman cottages, Katharine leapt at the chance.
Nestled against the magnificent backdrop of the Langdale Pikes, this painstaking two-year restoration project has proven a labour of love. Every detail and finish has been chosen to be sympathetic to the building’s original fabric and location, whilst updating it to suit modern family living.
The craftsmanship of local labourers, stonemasons, garden designers and artisans was central to Katharine’s vision. She selected her favourite British suppliers and creatives for the furnishings; soft toned rugs from Sinclair Till, furniture pieces from Soane London and numerous bespoke furniture makers punctuate the space, while fabrics sourced from Colefax and Fowler, Holland & Sherry, Pierre Frey and C&C Milano create a layered and cosy feel.
The cottage also features eye-catching lighting from Paulo Moschino at Nicholas Haslam, Jonathan Browning and Hector Finch, and artwork from favourite local artists including landscapes from Heaton Cooper and Harry Brioche as a reflection of the very personal interior that developed gradually over time.
On the ground floor, Katharine has ensured all practical needs are met in the boot room and custom built kitchen by English joiner Humphrey Munson. The expansive boot room is painted in soft grey blue and well-ordered with details including bespoke oak welly rods and personalized dog lead holders.
The light grey kitchen overlooks the front of the property with every detail being beautifully considered, from the embroidered roman blinds by Victoria Bain to the burnished bronze ironmongery. Well-equipped for any budding cook, the kitchen features an incredible array of natural wood, ceramic and marble chopping boards; selection of spices; and crockery by Marie Daage.
Adjacent to the kitchen, the cozy red and blue accented open-plan living room features a limestone and oak fireplace with pretty recessed herringbone tiles and a cream log-burning stove, whilst the centerpiece of the dining room is a limed oak table from Rick Baker, finished by Halstock, sculptural chairs from Chaplins and a faceted glass pendant overhead from Jonathan Browning.
On the second floor, Katharine has set the Master Bedroom in a soft blue tone which creates a memorably inviting retreat, with a simple oak framed four poster bed set against an installation of hand sculpted porcelain flowers by Artisan Studios.
Pretty touches include the hand-embroidered detailing to the linen curtain edges which draw the eye beautifully. The Master Bathroom has been furnished with a hand-painted roll top bath from Holloways of Ludlow. Set against exquisitely detailed mosaic tiles from Waterworks and positioned below a vivid green river scene painted by Richard Cook, it is the perfect place for tranquility and reflection.
The second bedroom, for Katharine’s two sons, is warm and snug in shades of vibrant orange, a collection of straw hats decorate one wall and wooden wall sculptures are an unexpected fun detail.
Behind the cottage, a terraced garden was established on the hillside and planted with laurel and lilac. Featuring a hot tub, lounge sitting area, barbeque grill and dining areas, this is the perfect place to relax and admire the majestic surrounding landscape.
Available for booking
Boasting a range of fantastic amenities and attractions in a highly desirable location, Little Nut Cottage is available to book for self-catered luxurious accommodation for groups of up to 4 throughout the year.
The cottage is perfectly placed to tour the famous lakes, traditional towns, villages and hamlets, suitable for both the more experienced nature lover or novices. Guests may also visit the nearby restaurants and bars to relax and unwind.
For more details, please visit littlenutcottage.co.uk
