Cath Kidston, a renowned name in the design and decorating world, has spent over 30 years creating a unique and quintessentially English look. Her love for flowers, particularly pelargoniums, has become a hallmark of her style. Recently, author Jenny Rose-Innes met with Kidston at her London shop and then visited her home in the Cotswolds to discuss interiors, gardens, and plants.
A Life of Design
Kidston, now 66, has been involved in design and retail for most of her life. As a child, she played shop, loved art projects, and had her own garden patch. Her family’s love for houses, decorating, and gardening likely provided her with more education than her formal schooling. Kidston set up her print and product company in 1993, which grew over the next 20 years.
After stepping away from the company, Kidston founded a print design company, Joy of Print, and later created a body-care brand, C.Atherley. The brand is named after her maternal grandmother and celebrates the women gardeners in her family. C.Atherley’s fragrances are made in the UK, using plants grown by Kidston, and are literally created from “greenhouse to bottle.”
A Cotswold Home
Kidston’s home, a farmhouse in the Cotswolds, sits at the head of a “magical valley.” The 18th-century extension features a smart front and rambling sides. Kidston and her husband, Hugh, were lucky to find the property 14 years ago, with its original fireplaces and floors still intact. She has tried to keep the interiors “timeless,” with most of their personal touch coming from the pictures and furniture they’ve gathered over the years.
The house features a mix of antique and modern pieces, including a pair of antique Dutch panels and a cast-bronze branch over the fireplace by Daniel Chadwick. The sofa is one of a pair from Howard & Sons, London, in its original cover. Kidston notes that the house is “dark in the centre hall and the dining room,” but we are lucky to have a
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Kidston’s love for nature is evident throughout the house, with plants and flowers brought in to make the space feel “awake.” She has a soft spot for flower pictures and has collected them over the years, including a pair of Rory McEwen tulip prints. Kidston also prefers to keep chintz upstairs in the bedrooms, opting for a more subdued look downstairs.
Design Advice
When it comes to incorporating nature-inspired pieces, Kidston thinks that bringing flowers into a home can sometimes look “pretty garish,” requiring thought about what works well together.
Kidston’s home is a reflection of her eclectic style and her love for nature. With its mix of antique and modern pieces, the house is a celebration of her ability to create a space that is both beautiful and timeless. Kidston has always been drawn to the beauty of flowers and plants, and her home showcases this beauty.
Her ability to create a sense of calm and serenity in her home is also reflected in her approach to optimising her bedroom for a good night’s sleep. By bringing the outdoors in and creating a sense of timelessness, Kidston has created a home that is truly special.
