COTTAGE RENOVATION
Winter WARMER
With its rustic character and cosy interior, Karen and Adam Griggs’ former worker’s cottage comes into its own at Christmas
Ashbourne kitchen units painted in Indigo, Howarth Timber. Worktops, Worktop Express. Knox shelf brackets, Dowsing & Reynolds. Astini sink, Taps UK. Crockery, Habitat. Cakes made by Cake Girl, York. Rustic serviette holders, Old Forge York Forest Crafts
WHY WE LOVE KAREN’S COTTAGE
Karen Griggs faced a huge learning curve when she and Adam renovated a series of outbuildings at their family home near York. After ‘parting company’ with the first builder, Karen decided it was easier to manage it herself - and what better way to achieve exactly what she wanted than to be as hands on as possible? Before long she was climbing onto the roof, laying bricks and learning new skills from a team of tradespeople who were happy to share their knowledge and make sure everything was done to her exacting standards.
Karen’s main focus was the renovation and extension of a former worker’s cottage, which had previously been a village pub, a post office, an antique shop and a printing press for choral music. Through her previous job as a healthcare nurse, Karen knows the positive impact beautiful surroundings can have on people’s lives, and she set out to create a home full of interesting textures, colourful textiles, beautiful smells and visual delights that would lift the spirits of visitors.