Heritage and Cottage-Style Features by David Domoney

3 July 2020

Cottages & Cobblestones

Heritage and cottage-style houses have always been 'sought after' properties and none more so than those with meadow gardens. Add a rustic looking pathway leading to where visitors are greeted by a solid door that opens into a homely and cosy interior.....

There are a few touches that will streamline the design and reinforce that traditional cottage feel.
 

 

Pathways and Plants

Front gardens are so important as they are the face of the property, and you want first impressions to be positive. There’s no better greeting than colourful flowers and foliage to welcome guests to your humble abode as they walk down the garden path.

 

 

The rustic, yet timeless appearance of Cobblesett will enhance the exterior of the home, and there is sure to be a colour to suit as it is available in three different blends. Oceania has grey and blue hues for a darker finish, compared to the red and orange tones of Sunset Rouge that gives a brick-like effect. Harlequin is a marvellous medium that joins the grey-blue stones with a tinge of red to create an enchanting purple undertone.
 

 

Curved pathways are an enchanting addition to a cottage garden, so complement the paved path with the soft textures of some classic cottage flowers such as Delphiniums that will be a great addition for some added height in the back of a border. The blue-purple flowers are densely packed on upright stems, giving quite the impact. On the other hand, hardy geraniums will add the finishing touch to the front of a border and can be found in colours ranging from white to dark purple.

 

 

Inside Out

Whether you are looking for a cobbled drive or courtyard space, Pavestone’s Tudor Cobbles are a stunning option for your outdoor spaces. The hand cut cobbles with a riven face are sure to add some character to your space in a compact and efficient size. The grey finish of Denby is a wonderful contemporary option, and the sandy hues of Oxford sew together red, brown, and orange shades to create a charming patchwork effect.

 

 

However, paving isn’t exclusively for outdoors, in fact bringing it inside can have a striking effect. To create a seamless design, a really impressive option is to use the same or similar floor that has been used outside.

The Tudor Cobbles will flow seamlessly into the flagstones of Tudor Antique paving, which have a tumbled, aged appearance. Looking great in a kitchen, hall or lounge area finished with a warm rug and furnishings, the hand-crafted natural stone will result in a smooth, polished and homely feel.

 

 

Climbers & Cobblestones

Making your way through the house and into the garden to be welcomed by some classic cottage climbers is a fantastic way of continuing the design of the front exterior and interior of your home. Cottage walling is a great method of creating sections in the garden which will create the illusion of more space because each separate space has a function, whether that is a nook to relax in or an outdoor dining area as a social hub. The rumbled, soft-rounded edges of the stone provide the perfect partition between areas in the garden, or to use as a backdrop in your borders.

 

 

Although the walling itself adds character, give it the finishing touch by growing a charming climber on it such as honeysuckle. Honeysuckle ‘Heaven Scent’ is a beautifully fragranced climber with yellow and white flowers in summer and autumn that the pollinators will also appreciate. Another aromatic win is star jasmine with the fragrant white, star-shaped flowers that bloom in spring. Not only are their flowers delightful, but they are evergreen, providing colour all year round as their foliage turns red in winter.

 

Honeysuckle 'Heaven Scent'	Star Jasmine

 

Go Wild

One of the biggest beauties about cottage gardens is the freedom because there are no boundaries, plant salad crops within your borders or cabbage among your flower beds, don’t stick to the rules. In a cottage garden, anything goes. A mixture of colours, plants and textures simply adds to the cottage impact. Bring a touch of wild to the garden by creating a wildflower meadow which can also be enjoyed by birds and insects, as well as being a great choice if a low-maintenance garden is desired.

 

 

Ready-made wildflower meadow mixes can be bought, or seeds can be purchased separately to create a bespoke mixture to suit the soil type and colours and varieties that are desired. Common wildflower plants include field scabious, ox-eye daisy, common yarrow and bird’s-foot trefoil.

 

 

Period properties have a huge amount of character, and you can make your mark by adding your personal preferences to the paving and planting to give it an updated facelift, whilst still sticking to the heritage and traditional cottage feel.

 

There are many more videos featured here for you to explore.

David Domoney, TV gardener, horticultural expert and Pavestone brand ambassador blogs monthly on the Pavestone website on all things landscaping related. We look forward to seeing you back again next month.

 

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