So inspired by our recent feature in the May 2021 issue of Period Living magazine. The owner, Penny Kennedy, is a wonderful artist and a successful designer, she created a beautiful range of stationery for many years that included cards and wrapping paper.

Penny bought her cottage near the pretty Perthshire town of Aberfeldy at a major crossroads in her life. The property was in quite a run down condition and Penny pulled out all the stops to transform it into the spacious, contemporary home it has become. We have sold our family home recently and bought a cottage on a similar scale, so I am observing every detail extremely carefully, hoping to create a similar sense of space and character in our new home.

I am a mere amateur compared to Penny though, but just having the good fortune of knowing her at all I am hoping to glean a fraction of her gorgeous sense of style to install into our cottage.

The welcoming kitchen diner does not feel at all 'kitchen-y' despite enjoying every modern convenience, the open shelving and abundance of art work on display ensure that it feels more like a comfortable family dining room.

The living room is snug in scale, but perfect for cosying up in front of the fire to read or watch a movie. Penny has added vibrant colours to her neutral backdrop with treasured paintings and fabrics in punchy, colourful patterns by Glasgow based designer Bluebellgray

For informal chats with friends Penny has added this lovely sun-lit porch, beautifully connecting her home to the stunning garden, another outlet for Penny's seemingly boundless creativity.

The icing on the cake though, must be her garden studio. Complete with a useful wood burning stove, it is equally tempting to be in mid-winter as it is with the french doors thrown open on a gorgeous sunny day.

We have a garage a similar scale in our new garden, with a pitched roof, which we will renovate to create a similar space, cannot wait!

Penny has cleverly turned her garage into a self catering apartment. It is so cosy, she also offers B&B.

Find out more at My Mouse Cottage