Designing a Boutique Pub in the Cotswolds: Where It All Begins
I’m currently working on a project to redesign a pub in the Cotswolds and this is very much the beginning of the process. Before any furniture is placed or styling comes together, everything starts with one key question:
How should the space feel?
Because when it comes to hospitality design, it’s not just about how something looks it’s about how people experience it.
Creating a Space That Feels Worth Staying In
One of the main considerations for this project has been how the space reflects the experience guests are paying for.
In this case, the aim is to create something that feels closer to a boutique hotel than a standard pub stay.
That means thinking beyond individual items, and focusing on:
Atmosphere
Cohesion
Comfort
And overall guest experience
Every decision needs to contribute to that feeling.
Working With the Character of the Building
Cotswold properties naturally come with a strong sense of character whether that’s through original features, materials, or the surrounding landscape.
Rather than working against that, the aim is to enhance it.
This often means:
Balancing traditional elements with more modern touches
Introducing warmth through colour and texture
Avoiding anything that feels overly trend-led or out of place
The goal is to create a space that feels timeless and appropriate to its setting.
Starting With Colour
As with many of my projects, this one begins with the colour palette.
Colour sets the foundation for everything else from furniture and fabrics through to lighting and finishing details.
For this project, the palette has been designed to:
Feel warm and inviting
Work with the natural light in each room
Flow throughout the entire building, from bedrooms to shared spaces
This ensures that, while each area has its own identity, everything still feels connected.
Designing Each Space With Purpose
The project spans multiple areas, including:
Guest bedrooms
A private dining space
Bar and lounge areas
Circulation spaces such as hallways and stairs
Each space has its own function, but they all need to feel like part of the same overall experience.
This is where consistency becomes key not repetition, but cohesion.
The Details That Make the Difference
In hospitality spaces especially, it’s often the smaller details that shape the experience.
Things like:
The softness of the lighting
The placement of furniture
The textures used within a room
How practical the space feels to use
These are the elements that might not always be immediately noticed, but they’re what make a space feel considered.
From Concept to Reality
At this stage, much of the work exists as concepts moodboards, colour palettes, and design direction.
But these early decisions are what shape the final outcome.
As the project progresses, the focus will shift towards sourcing, installation, and bringing each space to life.
A Project in Progress
This is just the beginning of the process, but it sets the foundation for everything that follows.
Designing a space like this isn’t about quick changes it’s about building something that feels cohesive, intentional, and aligned with the experience it’s meant to offer.
If you’re interested in following the journey, I’ll be sharing more as the project develops from individual room schemes through to the final result.
And if you’re working on a project of your own, whether residential or commercial, you can explore my interior design services or get in touch to discuss your space.
Stephanie
Lime Grove Interiors
