Castles and Cottages The Old Millhouse

Castles and Cottages The Old Millhouse is a wonderful former Victorian flour mill that was transformed into a delightful cottage.

Castles and Cottages The Old Millhouse

The 1862 old mill had been abandoned for over 4o years when it was remodeled into two separate weekend homes in the 1960’s. The new owners spent a few years transforming it into a single family home.

I adore how they showcased the original waterwheel and gears as a central artistic feature in what is now the study.

The Kitchen

The cozy kitchen is truly a showstopper with its well-planned layout and exposed brick. That is a kitchen feature here at Storybook Cottage I truly love.

Favorite ideas:

• A rail-mounted ladder to reach the upper cabinets.
• Cabinetry finish in Farrow and Ball’s Oval Room Blue. 
• An island on wheels for ease of cleaning and more space available when needed.
• A built plate rack for charming storage.

I do like the idea of a designated feature in the kitchen. This converted Victorian-era range is a perfect fit for the time period of the home. I have my eye on a La Cornue stove.

The Dining Space

The attached dining area is so light and bright.

Favorite ideas:

• Ample, yet comfortable seating, to include one long bench.
• French doors that bring the outside in.
• Incorporating antique lighting fixtures.
• A deep windowsill for seasonal displays or growing herbs.

The Living Room

The cozy living room is eclectic design at its best. Modern lighting works well against the old wooden beams.

Favorite ideas:

• Using high and low price points to create a welcoming space. The Ikea sofa looks great with the antique carpet.
• A sideboard holds books instead of dishes. It allows space to showcase art above.
• Plush pillows made from remnants of old fabric.

Another angle of the room. A portion of the floor was cut out to reveal former working gears. This is a good way to work with, not against, existing structural features.

We personally opted to paint the wooden ceiling beams here at Storybook Cottage and are still thrilled with the choice almost four years later. It’s truly a matter of taste for each individual.

The Staircase

What a light and bright space. The collection of maps provides wonderful interest.

In our home, I am constantly tapping the corners of the picture frames in our stairwell to straighten them. I think the constant movement shifts them or perhaps my family does it to make me crazy. (smile)

Favorite ideas:

• I do wish we had opted to paint the handrail of our staircase instead of leaving it in its natural state. It would be a massive job to strip the lacquer, sand, and paint the dark oak. Since our time here is limited I probably won’t take it on.

I actually want a single story for our next home.

The Bathroom

I like nothing better than a white bathroom. It looks SO clean.

Favorite ideas:

• Built-in storage.
• Tongue and groove paneling.

We are finished our own bathroom remodel! I can’t wait to share it with you. Unfortunately, we have had constant rain and overcast conditions recently which doesn’t make for great photos. The weather will be much of the same this entire week. Boo mother nature. BOO!

You can see more photos of this enchanting home HERE.

Happy Monday!

Laura