The Story behind Arch Cottage with Kate Fox Evans

Ever wondered what it would be like to sleep in luxury? Then look no further than our ‘Hotel At Home’ campaign! Every now and then we all need to give our bedding some extra pampering. So why should you limit your Zzz’s, when you can have more with our Soak&Sleep bedding?

To lead by example, we picked Kate Fox Evans (a Soak&Sleep Wholesale Customer) brain to find out what it really takes to run a successful holiday home, where customers rave about the attention to details and amazing service.

Kate’s worked hard to create a ‘home away from home’ environment, so there’s no wonder why most of her holiday stayers say that this is a cottage with great charm and character. Soak&Sleep is lucky to be able to provide her guests with that luxury, fluffy towels and crisp 5* bedding.

If you’ve always been the adventurous type of person, then this stone cottage in the heart of the Forest of Dean village of Blakeney will be perfect as a getaway! With an endless list of things to do, Kate’s Arch Cottage is the place to stay in the Gloucestershire countryside.

So to give your hotel or home a re-decor this summer, scroll on down this blog to find out more about how we can help bring you that hotel luxury, quality experience right at your home.

How do you bring Hotel at Home quality to guests:

Making our Cottage beds more comfortable than guests’ beds at home. We use Crisp white Egyptian cotton bedding from Soak&Sleep. Also, we have tried to create a stylish relaxing atmosphere, blending contemporary practical furniture with retro feature pieces. Including soft thick luxurious white Soak&Sleep towels.

(cc Arch Cottage)

What was the inspiration behind the decor in Arch Cottage?

The 19th-century cottage backdrop has been styled with modern contemporary colours and antique/retro features.
The lounge accents colours of orange and teal were taken respectively from 1) an abstract painting ‘Inspired by James’ on the lounge wall which was painted by the artist after attending a vibrant James gig and 2) 1920s French Godin enamelled cast iron wood burner used as a side table.
The bedroom styling in each room has a vintage piece to contrast with the new beds and modern lighting:

Double room - upcycled 1930s petite wardrobe with Bakelite handle
Twin/Superking - French Victorian chest of drawers with mirror
Single - 1940s Sirrom woven wicker ottoman box used as a bedside table

What are your top tips for someone who wants to set up a holiday home?

Firstly think carefully about the right location - Do you want to use it too? Do you want to be around a wide range of attractions if you want to appeal to a broader range of guests vs a specific one? (e.g. being beside the beach in the summer may be more seasonal than the countryside/forest).
Secondly planning your look - Remember to set a budget and plan the look and feel of your property before starting to shop. This then avoids the need to keep returning things as they don’t look right/ don’t fit/cost too much etc.
Thirdly, maintenance - Think carefully about how easy it is to maintain. Who will do the changeovers? Get to know local tradespeople especially if you are new to the area. They are invaluable for local tips/advice etc. Remember the outdoor space needs more maintenance in the summer than the winter. Things grow - especially the lawn which will need extra mowing!

What are the must-do things in the Forest of Dean?

Explore the myriad of walking and cycling routes. There are many maps of routes available.
Drift on down to Shinrin-Yoku and Float in the Forest.
Go to Blakeney Straits for a picnic by the streams.
If you like swimming and it is summer go to Bathurst open-air Lido pool in Lydney.
Take a walk around Mallards Pike or Puzzlewood.
For a bit more culture try the Forest Sculpture Trail or if you want to learn more about trees - the Cyril Hart Arboretum.
Forest of Dean has been voted the country’s 3rd favourite holiday destination by BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2019.

Thank you, Kate, for answering all these questions! So if you would like to find out more about Kate’s holiday stay at the Arch Cottage, then click HERE to find out more about how you can book your own stay.

Why should you limit this luxury hotel experience to just a special occasion when you can have more with beautiful Soak&Sleep bedding? Discover our luxurious bed linen, perfect pillows and dreamy duvets and create your own serene sleep sanctuary.

We would love to hear more about some of your own personal hotel experience Soak&Sleep bedding stories. So feel free to contact us via any of our social media channels and don’t forget to use the #soakandsleep hashtag!