Never Mind Its 500-Square-Foot Footprint—This Cottage Packs in the Charm With a Church Pew and Plants
A potting shed–chic home for an imaginary gardener.
Olivia Lidbury
Writer
Olivia Lidbury is a freelance writer based in the UK. She has been regularly contributing to Domino since 2021, pitching charming British houses, whimsical apartments and must-see vacation lets. Olivia also regularly writes for a number of national UK titles, such as The Times, and The Sunday Times Style magazine. She lives just outside of London in Kent.
Highlights
- Loves nothing more than snooping around a beautiful home under the pretext of ‘work’, and discovering how people choose to live and embellish their surroundings. She also loves the challenge of fleshing out an idea into a must-know trend.
- Personal interests include exploring restaurants and new openings around Kent and the East Sussex coast.
- Prior to being freelance, Olivia cut her teeth on the fashion desk of The Daily Telegraph, where she worked for eight years. She has also written for the London Evening Standard and vogue.co.uk.
Experience
Having worked for a national newspaper under a very exacting fashion director, Olivia understands the value of good communication and a hard deadline. Stepping away from catwalk and celebrity reportage to go freelance in 2016, she made a gradual switch to interiors and decor, her fashion contacts providing a unique dimension on ideas and access.
Olivia has an affection for craft and of small businesses, and relishes how championing their work can impact their exposure. She is also a cheerleader for shopping sustainably, and spoke at the 2022 ATG (Auction Technology Group) Art & Antiques conference.
Education
After graduating from high school in Manchester, Olivia took an art foundation year, where it was confirmed that her fine art and sculpture skills were questionable. But she found an affinity with photography, and was accepted to study at the London College of Fashion. After a term she had a wobble and switched to the journalism degree—and hasn’t looked back.
Most Successful DIY Hack
As a mid-term stop-gap, I painted the dark blue tiles I inherited in my main bathroom a crisp white. It took about six coats! Two years on, the makeover is still going strong and makes being in the space less oppressive.
Notable Work
- The Brits Do Everything Better, Including Tiny Vacation Rentals Domino
- Upgrade Your Spare Room and Make Your Guests Feel at Home Sunday Times Style
- Why It’s Worth Restoring Original Features Back into Your Home The Telegraph
- Inside Bell Hutley’s West London Basement Flat The Evening Standard
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One nook is meant for game night, another just for reading.
This Family’s London Home Sports a Genius Alternative to Recessed Lighting
All the better to see the kids’ whale-like loft bed.
Playful Touches (Scalloped Stone! Rhubarb Shelves!) Grace Every Room in This English Home
Things start off strong with a sunny yellow entry.
An Emerald Green Shower Is One Highlight of This Tile Designer’s Home
His fireplace surround rivals the bathrooms.
Pattern-on-Pattern Is the Opposite of Childish in This Little Girl’s Bedroom
There’s a method to the maximalist madness.
Brown Tile May Become Your Countertop of Choice After Touring This English Airbnb
Just head up a turret’s winding staircase.
A 5-Year-Old Called the Design Shots on Her All-Yellow London Bedroom
Her mom’s one request? Multifunctionality.
In This London Attic, a Daybed Was Built to Fit the Awkward Sloped Ceiling
Plus, why the designer didn’t paint the tiny space white.