Cottages, farmsteads and farmhouses: three types of country houses to enjoy all year round | Insights | Corradi English (2024)

Insights

Cottages, farmsteads and farmhouses: three types of country houses to enjoy all year round | Insights | Corradi English (1)

Cottages, farmsteads and farmhousesare three historic snapshots of well-defined rural atmospheres, three postcards of bucolic landscapes surrounded by greenery, threetypes of country housesthat we'd all like to escape to sooner or later.
What's the secret behind these houses, which every day challenge the passage of time and have in many cases becomeenchanting resorts and charming homes, so much so that many people feel drawn to them?
The answer lies in the connection between nature and the work of man.

The cottage, icon of the English countryside (but not only)

The cottage is thetypical English country house. A characteristic element of the Anglo-Saxon landscape and part of the Scandinavian and Alpine regions, it can be made of stone or wood. It is usually surrounded by a small plot of land, originally used by the farmer who lived there, and then later transformed into a courtyard/garden.
In fact, the wordcottagecomes fromcotter, a peasant farmer. Since the Middle Ages the cottage included some typically agricultural items such as a barn and a stable, as well as a fenced courtyard. In subsequent centuries cottages were also built for other categories of workers, thus becoming anindependent residencewidespread in several European and American countries.

Hundreds of cottages around the world have been transformed into holiday homes or tourist accommodations, recalling the atmospheres of the past while offering all the comforts of modern life.
In accordance with the desire topreserve historical authenticity, the renovations of old cottages are best done by recovering all those characteristic elements of these structures that had been abandoned over time, such as purlins, columns and wooden joists.
Like the interiors, often the subject of aconservative restorationthat includes the floors (essential for the authenticity of the building), the walls and sometimes the most striking furnishings (fireplaces, large wooden tables, stone sinks and so on), thesurrounding garden becomes an element of value for the cottage, almost a certificate of recognisability.
Of course, the choice of plants and furnishings must be coordinated with the area. In Britain a cottage should be immersed in a lushEnglish garden, which fades gently into the landscape of the humid British countryside, while at other latitudes different types of greenery will prevail.

The farmsteads of the south, from rural hamlets to charming mansions

The farmstead is agrouping of rural buildings all bound to the economy of the estate, built between 1500 and 1600 and typical of southern Italy and other Mediterranean countries (paradoresin Spain,relaisandchateauxin France) or in Latin America (haciendas).
The Italian version, called amasseria, comes from the wordmasserizie(agricultural tools, furniture, furnishings, food depots) that in the past were preserved in large stone buildings where farmers, shepherds, farmers and workers lived.
Some farmsteadsowned by noble familieswere surrounded by defensive walls and constituted small self-sufficient hamlets that a number of families could live in.
The architectural structure of a farmsteadfollows the usual scheme of the farmwith Mediterranean style agricultural courtyard: a single central space used as a courtyard and farmyard, surrounded by several buildings used as residences or to store tools or provide shelter to animals.
Often abandoned and left in ruins, since the 1990s much effort has been put into restoring these ancient buildings, converting them into agricultural tourism facilities and B&Bs. This has also made it possible topreserve the great traditionsthat these monuments represent.
Here the design of a garden requires special attention, especially with regard to water supply. Indeed, your best choices are botanical species used to a dry climate,native varieties and succulent, bulbous plants.
There must be adequate shaded areas, and if possible a small swimming pool or a water feature for guests to cool off.

The farmhouse, isolated and happy

The farmhouse escapes stringent architectural definitions and, unlike the cottage and farmstead,is not bound to a particular geographical area, but has a decisive characteristic that makes it identifiable:it always stands in isolation, in the countryside, in the hills or in the mountains. It shouldn't be confused with the dairy farm (stable with attached small building to make butter and cheese) but is very similar to a grange (agglomeration of isolated rustic buildings), particularly widespread in Tuscany.
Like cottages and farmsteads, farmhouses are oftenimmersed in captivating, pastoral landscapes, where time seems to have stopped.
The fame of these rustic buildings has grown significantly in the last three decades as some celebrities have chosen renovated farmhouses as their refuge.

A common value: the garden

The thing that cottages, farmsteads and farmhouses have in common in the collective imagination is aclose connection with the surrounding environment.Respect for the surrounding landscape and natureis an essential rule for maintaining or creating a green space. For this reason, native species and plants that adapt well to the climatic conditions of the area should always be preferred.
A good landscaper orgarden designerwill try to evoke the atmospheres of past times without sacrificing the comforts of the 21st century.
The garden surrounding cottages, farmsteads and farmhouses becomes an integral part of the setting and must follow the rhythms that nature suggests. Therefore, ashaded areafor resting, reading and relaxing is a must, with apergolaor gazebo that doesn't detract from the architecture of the building. By making the most of the outdoor spaces the garden will be able to reach its full potential.
This new living area can be covered withclimbing plantsfor an even more pleasant, natural effect.

Living outdoors offers some significant benefits. It's possible to enjoy greenery all year long. It takes courage, of course, but thousands of rural buildings survive far from the city. And just maybe one of them is waiting for you...

Cottages, farmsteads and farmhouses: three types of country houses to enjoy all year round | Insights | Corradi English (2024)

FAQs

What is an English cottage called? ›

A cottage, during England's feudal period, was the holding by a cottager (known as a cotter or bordar) of a small house with enough garden to feed a family and in return for the cottage, the cottager had to provide some form of service to the manorial lord.

What is the difference between a cottage and a house? ›

The definition of a cottage is a small house that is typically situated in the countryside. There is therefore no complex definition. However, houses are usually only one floor and may have features only found in cottages such as wooden beams, thatched roofs and are often used for summer retreats or vacation homes.

What is a cottage style home? ›

Cottages are known for their distinct architectural style. They are small homes, intended to house a single family. Cottages are typically asymmetrical, one to one-and-a-half story dwellings with low-pitched gable roofs and small covered porches.

What makes a cottage a cottage? ›

A cottage was originally a word to describe a small home with low ceilings. Usually found in the villages dotted around the country, these homes differed according to the area they were in. Most would make use of local stone and timber creating a unique look that often came to define parts of the country.

What is a typical English country cottage? ›

An English cottage is a traditional countryside dwelling, often with a cozy floor plan. You'll find charming details that look like they've been plucked right out of storybook and traditional building materials, like thatched roofs, stone, brick, and wood. There's often a chimney that is the centerpiece of the home.

What are cottage houses called? ›

They were known as cotters, and their homes as cottages (both came from the Latin word “cotagium”). These simple, single-story dwellings were usually made of stone or wood, with thatched roofs and a prominent chimney.

Is cottage the same as farmhouse? ›

Cottagecore is traditionally a less spacious floor plan than modern farmhouse, which makes sense if you think of a cottage as cozy and a farmhouse as traditionally more spacious.

Are cottages cheaper than houses? ›

Short answer: It can be. That said, like a custom home there's an endless number of options that can go into building your dream custom cottage. Where you decide to draw the line on those options will likely determine your end cost.

What is the difference between cottage and farmhouse? ›

Cottage furniture is more feminine than farmhouse and utilizes soft colors. Cottage style incorporates more colors than farmhouse that sticks to a neutral palette that's soothing and calm. Its comfy and the furniture will feature more frill and more decoration.

What is a modern cottage look? ›

One aesthetic that makes it easy to invite country, cozy living into your space is the modern cottage style. Full of natural materials, earthy colors, and vintage vibes, this aesthetic is calming and comfortable to make any home feel fresh and relaxed.

What are the disadvantages of cottage homes? ›

Long-term cottage living might not work for large families or anyone who requires a lot of space. Cottages are often limited to certain areas. You may not be able to build (or buy) a cottage in an urban area or even a suburban area. Lastly, the cottage aesthetic may not appeal to all prospective home buyers.

What is a country cottage? ›

a small house in the country, esp one used for holidays. my dream of a little country cottage.

How many rooms are usually in a cottage? ›

Small cottage house plans may have just one or two rooms, while a larger cottage may have three or four rooms, including bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas. Despite their typically smaller size, cottage-style homes can be designed to feel spacious and inviting.

How many bedrooms does a cottage have? ›

Cottages are generally homes with under 2,000 square feet – and often much less than that. They have from one to three bedrooms. The living room or hearth room is typically the center of the home with a fireplace as the main feature.

What kind of roof do cottages have? ›

The cottage roof was often thatched, made from dry fibers woven together to create a roof that protected the home from the elements as well as rodents and pests. As time went on, the roof styles for a cottage home evolved to include cedar shake and slate tiles.

What is another name for a cottage? ›

What is another word for cottage?
cabinlodge
chaletcot
hutshack
retreatvilla
abodebach
45 more rows

What is the difference between a cottage and a house in England? ›

Size and Scale: Cottages are generally smaller and more intimate compared to the average house. They typically feature one to two storeys, making them quaint and cosy. Roof and Chimney: A classic cottage often has a steep, gabled roof, sometimes thatched, adding to its rustic appeal.

What are old English houses called? ›

If you mean old as in centuries old the answer is 'Stately Homes', usually owned by the English gentry, (or passed on to the National Trust). Many of these Stately Homes are open to visitors at certain times of the year.

Why do English cottages have names? ›

Naming ones House is an old British custom which began with the gentry naming their manors, halls, and castles. The custom gradually spread to the masses and everyday folk began naming their homes as well. Traditionally the house name is based on who the house was 'tied' to or located at.

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