INTERIORS BY INGRID
Oak Cottage — Interior Design near Knutsford
A Cheshire country home combining bespoke furniture, artisan lighting and richly layered natural materials.
Oak Cottage sits in the countryside just outside Knutsford, Cheshire. Its interiors bring together architectural detailing, tactile finishes and carefully considered lighting to create a warm, welcoming home.
The design connects the dining room, study, master bedroom and hallways across three floors. Wide oak floorboards, a coordinated palette and bespoke pieces give the spaces continuity while allowing each room its own character.
Ingrid combined furniture and lighting crafted by artisans in continental Europe with smart home automation, balancing traditional craftsmanship with everyday convenience.
A Dining Room for Relaxed Entertaining
The dining room was designed to capture the feeling of a leisurely Sunday lunch: comfortable, welcoming and quietly luxurious.
A substantial dark timber table and sideboard are softened by upholstered chairs and relaxed fabrics. Wide oak floorboards, wall panelling and full-length curtains bring warmth and texture, while sculptural lighting creates an intimate atmosphere.
Crittall-style glazed doors connect the room to the hallway, framing views between the spaces and introducing a crisp architectural detail.
A Bespoke Eight-Metre Chandelier
The stairwell centres on an eight-metre chandelier, created through Ingrid's collaboration with a lighting manufacturer. Each bronze element was hammered by hand, and every glass piece individually handblown by an artisan in Europe.
Suspended through the stairwell, the fitting draws the eye between floors and brings sculptural interest to the space. An antiqued mirror wall reflects the glass and bronze, creating a greater sense of depth beside the plastered-in balustrade.
Oak stair treads and discreet step lighting complete the composition, balancing the chandelier's presence with warm materials and clean architectural lines.
Hallways with Warmth & Texture
With no natural light in the hallways, Ingrid developed a layered lighting scheme to create a welcoming atmosphere across all three floors.
Concealed ceiling lighting washes the walls, revealing the texture of an exquisite handwoven wallcovering. Carefully placed wall lights add softer pools of illumination, while slim consoles and understated artwork bring interest without overwhelming the narrow spaces.
A consistent palette and considered architectural detailing connect the landings and corridors, making the journey between rooms part of the experience of the home.
A Study with Personal Meaning
The study's colour scheme began with an antique desk and chair that once belonged to the client's late mother.
Bespoke furniture and cabinetry complement these treasured pieces, creating a practical space with a personal history. Warm timber and rust-coloured textiles connect the inherited furniture with the new scheme.
A comfortable reading corner and softly layered lighting make the room a welcoming place for both work and quiet relaxation.
A Serene Master Bedroom
The master bedroom was designed as a calm, luxurious retreat, with a soft neutral palette and an emphasis on texture.
Velvets, cottons and chenilles create depth and comfort, complemented by an upholstered bed, architectural wall panelling and generous curtains. Hanging bedside lights and concealed cornice lighting provide a gentle evening glow.
A separate seating area with upholstered chairs and stone-top tables offers a peaceful place to read or unwind.
A Home Connected by Craftsmanship
Oak Cottage balances the pleasure of gathering with quieter places to work and unwind. The dining room welcomes long Sunday lunches, the study gives treasured family furniture a new setting, and the master bedroom offers a calm retreat.
Warm materials and thoughtful detailing connect these different moods, creating a home that feels cohesive, comfortable and personal.
Behind the Transformation
The windowless hallways presented the project's clearest design challenge: bringing depth and atmosphere to a narrow space across three floors.
Ingrid collaborated with a lighting manufacturer on an eight-metre chandelier, with hand-hammered bronze elements and individually handblown glass. An antiqued mirror wall reflects the fitting and visually expands the stairwell, while concealed lighting reveals the handwoven wallcovering and defines the architecture.
In the study, the approach began with preservation rather than replacement. The client's inherited desk and chair informed the colours and bespoke cabinetry, allowing their personal significance to remain central to the room.