Interiors Inspo From Ellen DeGeneres’ Cotswolds Home

Want to make your home worthy of the UK celebrity set? Here’s how to get the look of Ellen DeGeneres’ former home in the Cotswolds.

Get The Look: Ellen DeGeneres’ Cotswolds Home

In news that has rocked the nation – or rather a small contingent of us obsessed with which celebrities are moving in and out of the Cotswolds and where – Ellen DeGeneres recently announced that she is selling her sprawling Cotswolds Estate for a sizable £22.5 million. While she’s only relocating 30 minutes up the road (to make more room for her wife Portia’s horses), she’s leaving behind an impressive estate equipped with a courtyard, indoor pool and its very own private party room.

Before the move, she made some major renovations to Kitesbridge Farm which places its design somewhere perfectly between rural English rertreat and LA pad. As stars from both sides of the pond are increasingly flocking to the bucolic paradise, it seems that we have entered a period of true Cotswolds mania. But how do you design a home that’s fit for the Cotswolds celeb set? We take a look inside Ellen DeGeneres’ renovated estate to see how you too can get the look. 

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Dressing Room Island

Just as no man is an island, no open-plan kitchen is complete without one. In recent years the island has become a main-stay of respectable middle-class kitchens across the country. But who says it has to be contained to cooking alone? 

Increasingly cropping up in different rooms of the home, Ellen has introduced an island into none other than her dressing room. Where dressing rooms were once nothing more than a glorified term for a walk-in wardrobe, they are increasingly becoming personal sanctuaries to which people can retreat and experiment.

In Ellen’s home she has gone a step beyond the cushioned chairs and built-in wardrobes by introducing a clothes-island: the perfect solution to buying even more clothes that you don’t really need. If your wallspace is already choker-block with storage – or in Ellen’s case a gold-framed painting – why not make use of the remaining floorspace? It also helps to add a sense of dimension to the room, breaking up the otherwise sad empty patch of floor.

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Philipp Nagel, director of Neatsmith explains that this shift in attitude towards dressing rooms is driven by a new recognition that storage doesn’t just have to be practical but can be a space to be enjoyed. ‘Must haves for the ultimate walk-in wardrobe are a central island unit with glass tops to display jewellery and other accessories, and seating which is also on the increase, signifying the amount of time now being spent in these rooms,’ he explains. 

He’s also noticed that clients increasingly want their items on display, transforming dressing rooms into performative spaces where you can imagine yourself on your very own personal runway or in a private boutique. Often asked to recreate images of hotel dressing rooms or designer stores in his products, he explains that he will often incorporate minibars and coffee stations too.  

Private Bar

When it comes to minibars, Ellen’s Cotswolds house has taken the humble trolley of gin and whiskey to the next level with her very own private-bar-slash-party-room. With its wood-beamed ceiling and complimentary counters, Ellen’s bar is giving a combination of proper English pub and old school saloon. The mismatched vintage stools and ambient overhead lighting add a layer of charm to the overall effect.

Fare Inc. – Image credit: Claire Menary– Vincent Terrace Bar HR

Founder and CEO of interior design studio Jolie, Franky Rousell, explains that when she’s designing a home bar it’s the thoughtful touches that make all the difference: ‘Lamps on the bar top cast an inviting glow, while little downlit wall lights above shelves put carefully curated wares on display. Textured or handmade ceramic tiles can bounce the light around subtly, creating a warm, layered look that nods to the quiet luxury of a residential/members club.’

She adds that, when storing glassware ‘think about adding either a back-lit glassware cabinet or an overhead gantry with glasses hanging within easy reach. And for a fun sensory touch, keep a vinyl player nearby, or even built in, which brings a Tokyo “listening bar” feel, perfect for setting the mood with your favourite records.’

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Tassel Furniture 

There’s something incredibly old-fashioned about the thought of a tassled armchair – the kind of superfluous item that feels out-of-place in the increasingly minimalist properties of the present day. But if you too are a fan of flounce and fringe then you’re in luck, as Ellen’s estate has officially confirmed that passementerie (to use the proper term) is officially back on trend. And she’s not alone. ‘Right now, I am loving the look of a tassel fringe on the underside of bar stools: a playful touch that softens the scene and adds unexpected character,’ says Rousell.

As Laura Hammett, the creative director of the eponymous design studio, describes, ‘Passementerie is one of those beautiful, often understated details that instantly elevates a piece of furniture. It speaks to a sense of timelessness and craftsmanship, adding a layer of richness and texture that softens a space. Whether it’s a subtle braid or a more decorative fringe, these finishing touches create a sense of considered luxury that draws the eye without overwhelming the room.’

Subtle statement rugs

Who needs the hassle of immovable rigid carpets, when you can more flexibly add texture to your flooring with a giant rug? As Jodie Hatton, design manager of heritage carpet company Brintons, explains: ‘A rug gives you the freedom to define a space without committing to a full-room installation, which can be especially helpful for those who love to refresh their interiors with the seasons […] As they are not fixed, it is easier to experiment with bolder and more expressive designs that add character to a room.’

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Pairing statement Persian designs, with minimal colours in shades of greige, Ellen’s rugs successfully add intrigue without overwhelming the neutral-toned space. ‘Similar to how dark walls can transform a small room or a patterned wallpaper can bring interest to otherwise dull space, a patterned rug is an inspired way to make a feature of a room,’ says Hatton. ‘By selecting a rug with a striking pattern in a neutral shade that contrasts with the surrounding decor, the eye is immediately drawn to the rug, elevating its importance in the space.’

Aida Light Beige rug – Agnella by Brintons

Sometimes only placed across half of the room, Ellen’s rugs successfully delineate the space to create cosy crannies. Unafraid to place them everywhere from the bathroom to beneath the dining table, they work with the wooden beams and consistent colour palette to add a sense of uniformed harmony to the home.

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Wood, Wicker And Rattan

With her wood and beige colouring, Ellen’s home celebrates an organic aesthetic and natural materials. Creating coffee tables from large slabs of oak – that look like they’ve been chopped straight from the trunk of a tree – and surrounded by historic wooden beams, her rattan lamps perfectly complement the aesthetic. Evolved from the dull boho look of years prior, invest in sustainable rattan lighting that is sculpted, or even pigmented, to add some edge to your home. 

Get the look at soane.co.uk