How to make a very new extension feel like part of a very old house
A calming palette ensures a new extension by Osborn Interiors blends seamlessly with the Cotswolds cottage it has transformed.
When interior designer Bee Osborn bought a derelict two-up-two-down 15th-century cottage in Oxfordshire, she knew immediately that she’d need to add an extension to accommodate her three daughters when they came to stay.
Attached to the rear of the house, the addition doubled the property’s footprint, creating a large, open-plan living area and kitchen with a principal bedroom above.
The lack of arms on the large, bespoke L-shaped sofa creates extra perching space when required and the sofa is covered in a hard-wearing performance fabric called Freeport by Thibault. ‘I love using these types of fabrics as it means that any spillages can be spot cleaned or the whole covers whipped off and sent for professional cleaning.’
The walls are clad in timber from a local yard and painted in Alfie’s Tail, a pale taupe by Fenwick & Tilbrook. ‘I wanted the space to look rustic and informal to sit comfortably with the older part of the cottage, so I deliberately chose not to have a regular shadow gap between the planks,’ explains Bee.
The artwork was sourced by Art Untamed, an art advisory run by her daughter, Hettie. Each work was chosen to create a ‘tonal symphony’ of her favourite hues. ‘I don’t go in for lots of colours and liken my palette to the bark of a London Plane tree with all its mottled olive greens, greys, browns and creams. It results in rooms that are calm — everything gets on well together — and yet never boring.’
Almost all the furniture was designed in-house, including the cubed ottomans, which fit under the table when not needed. In the corner is a round table by Robert Langford with a lamp from British lighting manufacturer Porta Romana.
This feature originally appeared in the June 3, 2026, issue of Country Life. Click here for more information on how to subscribe.'
