Our Pretty Cottage is Calm and Welcoming

Feature Natalie Flaum

Jo Rutt filled her home with her favourite vintage finds and curiosities and converted the loft to create a dreamy new master suite

Styling Charlotte Coward-Williams

Welcome to my home

A bit about me

I’m Jo Rutt. I live with my husband, Simon, and our two children, Harry, 11, and William, 14.

Where I live

Our home is a midterrace cottage in Bushey, which was built in 1906.

What I wanted to change

I was desperate to update the family bathroom. I love the Fired Earth look so much that I renamed their catalogue ‘Jo’s Book of Dreams’!

How I made it my own

I’m drawn to pale, soft blues, earthy greens and muted greys. I have a passion for retro (I own vintage homeware and antique shop, Nickel & Goose) and love to spend my weekends at markets and vintage and antique fairs.

My favourite part

Our bedroom in the loft is my retreat, where I can close the door on the rest of the house. It is so peaceful.

Living area

Jo’s sofas from Next are scattered with pink and berry red cushions from Habitat and Linum. An original fireplace has been updated with a surround painted in Farrow & Ball’s All White to match the walls. The two painted side cupboards either side of the fireplace are from Kempton Antique Market and Home and Colonial and the antique mirror was an eBay find.