Cottage's rustic comforts

HOME-BUYERS searching for a lovely English-style cottage in Bahrain should head down to Tubli.

This fabulous one storey home is located close to newly-developed supermarkets and the Al Anwar Discount Store. It also happens to be only five minutes away from a number of fast food restaurants including the Yum Yum Tree and McDonalds.

The architecture of the dwelling is also something to boast about. 'English cottage style' is defined as being comfortable. Basically its design is meant to bring the outside in through the use of flowers, stone and windows that open onto gardens or views. Stone, for example, has been used as part of the interior dŽcor, keeping true to the cottage feel.

With room to plant exotic wild flowers and trees outside and around the walls of the gated premises, behind its massive doors lies a tiled courtyard with plenty of room for entertaining guests on lounge chairs or a patio set.

The semi-furnished house is made up of Victorian finishings, tiled and parquet flooring and dark wood railings.

The focal point within is the stone wall in the spacious tiled living room. The dining room is covered in parquet flooring and so is the open planned kitchen area.

It features a marble-top breakfast bar, customised cabinets and state-of-the-art appliances. The ground floor also includes a guest bathroom and a storage room.

A staircase snakes up to the first floor, boasting a sizable family room and three bedrooms.

The master bedroom contains a built-in closet, enough room for a seating area and an en suite bathroom with standing shower.

The other two bedrooms also feature built-in closets and share a bathroom with a standing shower.

All rooms on the first floor are laid out with parquet flooring. Spot lights and chandeliers create intimate pools of light, making the hand-rubbed wood carvings gleam. Split air conditioning is available and there is an intercom on both floors.

The house also features a double car garage, an outside kitchen and a maid's quarters.

A tip to keep the cottage-style alive within the interior - opt for furniture made up of carved wood with Victorian lines.

All colours used should appear 'worn down' and muted; a faded gold, pea green, pale blue, faded rose.

The mix of furniture styles and periods may include some Asian influences, wicker pieces and an occasional French or Italian antique. Pieces should look as though they've been collected for generations, not bought off a showroom floor.

Collectibles should be displayed in abundance and 'pleasantly cluttered'. Use fresh or dried flowers to grace rooms along with bowls of fruit.

An old British bulldog, although currently living in the dwelling, is not included in the price!