Step inside the enchanting world of Lucy Mantle, known fondly online as Her Country Living. Nestled in a beautiful thatched cottage in Wiltshire with her husband Jon and daughter Tabitha, Lucy weaves together the quiet magic of the countryside with real-life moments.
Whether she’s in her beloved garden, cooking, or sharing thoughtful reflections, her content feels like an invitation to slow down and enjoy simple beauty. We caught up with Lucy to talk about her interiors inspirations and the moments she most enjoys on the sofa.
Every home has a story, we’d love to know about yours. Can you tell us a little bit about your cottage?
Our cottage is very old, thatched and made with flint, brick and stone. It is tucked away from the busyness of life, surrounded by nature, deep in the Wiltshire countryside.
My cottage has a timeless feel to it with old wooden beams, very uneven walls, and lots of outdoor space that feels like it’s part of the house. Each season seems to write a new chapter here, from the first fire in autumn when the weather changes and things get cold, to the first rose opening in spring. It’s a real joy to live here.
View this post on Instagram
Have you completed any renovations or projects to make the cottage feel your own?
We’ve changed the cottage an awful lot since we bought it three years ago, but it really feels like we’ve done more restoring than renovating.
From taking out all our old original windows and giving them a new lease of life, to removing rendering across the front to expose the original brick and stonework. We’ve exposed beautiful old fireplaces, renovated the kitchen and bathroom and decorated every inch of the cottage in soft calming colours mixed with nature and floral beauty!
Overall, the cottage blends old wooden shelves and cupboards with well-loved vintage pieces sourced from India, alongside newer finds like our gorgeous sofas — all coming together to make the space feel truly ours.
Importantly, we wanted to honour the cottage and it’s character, while weaving in our own story.
What is your favourite room or space in your home and why?
The sitting room is the heart of the cottage, and where most of our memories have been made. It’s where the fire warms us on chilly evenings, where books gather on side tables, toys across the floor and where cups of tea seem to taste a little warmer and feel so much cosier than anywhere else.
There’s truly something grounding about sinking into the living room at the end of the day. It’s also where I’m writing this from, as it’s a calm, tranquil place that lets my creativity flow
When it comes to interiors, what are you inspired by?
I have forever been drawn to nature and the outdoors, the peace and abundance of life and colour it brings just inspires me at every turn.
From the soft earthy tones that we’ve used on our walls, to rougher and softer textures that feel organic, like the exposed brickwork round the fire, or dried flowers from my garden adorning the walls, the decoration throughout echo the garden outside.
I also love mixing the old with the new. As a child, I grew up in a home filled with antiques, history, culture, baking and whimsical décor, so that influence is always there. I’d say my style is quite unique, and while it took me a while to embrace that difference, I’m so glad I did.
For me, a cottage should feel homely – somewhere you want to be and feel safe. That sense of comfort often comes through layered, slightly chaotic interiors that breathe and tell a story. Our own home has evolved slowly over time, rather than being pulled together all at once.
You’ve recently opted for the Aldingbourne sofa in our RHS Carolina Maria Applebee fabric, what was it that drew you to this collection, and the design?
It was the timelessness of it, the way it feels rooted in tradition yet so welcoming for modern life and our home. The RHS fabric stood out to me instantly; it felt like bringing the garden inside! I grow almost all the plants and vegetables in the fabric, and adore how it looks in the home. It’s beautifully detailed, but not overpowering, and it complements the cottage’s gentle character perfectly.
The cosiness and softness of the sofa itself was also really important to us. Whilst it’s lovely to have an attractive sofa, I firmly believe it needs to be comfortable and work for the family too. I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) which means I’m often in pain and my joints pop and click out of joint easily, and I can hand on heart say, having these deep, supportive and cosy sofas has been transformative in my life, healing me and helping me really relax of an evening.
How do you enjoy spending time on the sofa? Please describe to us your perfect sofa moment!
For me, it’s snuggling up under a giant fluffy blanket with a cat, hot tea and maybe a little bit of chocolate, a candle glowing nearby, and a book in hand! I’m part of a book club so I’ve always got something to read, and being a busy Mum with my own business can sometimes feel daunting, especially when I’m trying to find time for myself in it all. Whilst I wouldn’t change it for the world, having that hour or two in the evening to just ‘rest’ and ‘reset’ with a good book on such a cosy beautiful sofa really helps.
But don’t get me wrong, there are also times where sharing the space is wonderful, I love nothing more than my family gathered around, with tea and chatter, the dogs both happily dozing at our feet (or trying to jump on the sofa), whilst my daughter plays. As the seasons change and we move towards winter, I’m really excited for sharing this space over Christmas and seeing it come alive with festive decor, a tree and fairy lights. I just know it’ll be magical.
You can take a closer look at our collaboration with Lucy on Instagram, or subscribe to Her Country Living on YouTube to go behind the scenes of Lucy’s countryside cottage.