For as long as I’ve been married to Hubby (which is a very long time), we’ve joked talked about living in England, at least for a few years.  We’ve vacationed in England several times, always feeling like we’re visiting home away from home.
Inspired by a recent series of posts by Mona of Providence  Ltd. Deisgn on her virtual cottage plans [here, here and here], I decided to create a virtual cottage in the Cotswolds for my files.  You never know what opportunity waits around the bend.

{Providence Ltd. Interior Design}

I had the good fortune to visit the Cotswold area in 1995 with two of my closest friends.  For me it is one of the most beautiful areas of England.

The area is served by the market towns of Moreton-in-Marsh, Chipping Campden (a personal favorite), Stow-on-the-Wold and Winchcombe, and the larger villages of Broadway, Blockley and Burton-on-the-Water, all of which provide good shopping and other amenities for everyday needs.

I fell in love with Chipping Campden and that is where I’ll find my “virtual” cottage.  It will be exactly as I imagine…

Maybe it will be on one of the waterways through town,

or have a fabulous vista.

I imagine the entry to be slightly smaller than the one below, but with a Dutch door, lantern and room enough for a table to throw mail and keys on.

I will probably go with a neutral palate in the country but I’ll have plenty of warm, colorful throws and seasonal pillows to brighten the space.

{House Beautiful}

My Cotswolds cottage will have a stone fireplace (above) or something like this (below)…

{Griege}

As you walk out of the living room you’ll pass through a hallway to the kitchen, along the way you’ll undoubtedly encounter the occasional antique table with a few old pieces on display…

{source: Tone on Tone} If you love Swedish antiques and accessories, a visit to Tone on Tone is essential. 

Loi writes a very entertaining blog as well.

The kitchen will serve double duty as a place to cook as well as dine.  The chandelier will give it some casual formality.

…and off the kitchen there will be a little sun room, with a banquet where you can enjoy a quiet corner to read the paper and sip some tea…oh yes, there’s tea, plenty of tea.

{Heather Bullard}

There will be trays doing double duty to keep the smallish kitchen orderly.

{tumblr}

The master bedroom will have a reading corner (above), I know I’ll enjoy the sun streaming in the French doors with a good book and cup of tea and a throw, it will be very cozy.

…and since this IS my home away from home, I’ll need lots of bookcases to house the books I’ll get to read so the wall of our bed will provide the headboard and bookcase storage.

This is the guest bedroom, please join us for regular visits!

I know the grandchild(ren) will be visiting us so I will make sure we have plenty of sleeping space for her (and more?).

With spare time a great soaking tub will be a necessity.

Hubby and I will have to share a single sink, but that’s okay, we’ll be on vacation.

The guest bathroom will be on the smaller size as well.

I’ll have to have a garden bench…English cottage gardens are my favorite.

There will be a mudroom where I can store the great French mirror I picked up at a sale…

{Atelier de Campagne}

…as well as some storage for vases and cache pots ready for flower arrangements.

{Providence Ltd. Interior Design}

Do you think it’s premature to pack my bags?

If you were to buy/build a home away from home, where would it be? 

Speaking of luggage and such…I’m visiting my long time friend, Linda on Bainbridge Island, Washington.  This post is being published without me (I placed it in the queue) but I will not have access to a computer until my return on Tuesday.  If you comment, thank you so much, I’ll reply Tuesday.  Have a wonderful weekend.  I hope to have some great pictures and stories to share about this pretty spot on the Pacific Northwest.