A home away from home at Ollerton, Deal from Keepers Cottages

If you’re wondering where to stay in Deal then look no further than this thoughtfully decorated Georgian house – a home away from home in the heart of the British seaside town. Ollerton was converted from two flats by the current owners and sensitively restored last year to create a series of cosy spaces that seamlessly flow from one another.

The colour palette is like something dreamt up by Farrow & Ball, but somehow, if it’s possible, even more tasteful and quietly considered, thanks to the earthy tones of Atelier Ellis paints (I believe). Here, you can tell every detail has been deliberated over and made with intention and care, from the handmade ceramics you drink your tea from to the soft blankets you can cosy up in. Hunker down here and you won’t want to go anywhere, except maybe a blustery walk on the nearby beach.

[Ad – this was a press stay, hosted by Ollerton and Keepers Cottages. You can get 10% off a stay in Ollerton by using the code ‘CATE10’]

Set in Deal’s conservation area, Ollerton is a double fronted Georgian house with a layout that, put simply, just works. The owners have kept the intimacy of each room while making sure they all connect visually to one another, so you get light-filled views from one space to another. From the original entrance and reinstated central stairwell, you have two living rooms, each with a different feel, and an open-plan kitchen dining room with green views looking onto the walled garden. Upstairs there are four bedrooms and two bathrooms, sleeping eight, including a sumptuous suite with a mezzanine level in the eaves.

I liked how you could use the different spaces according to the time of the day – starting the day in the light-filled kitchen and the rustic wooden dining table, moving to the more formal green living room at the rear of the house, then winding down in the cosier sitting room to watch a film in the evening.

But really, Ollerton is an exercise in the careful use of minimal colour and pattern. Here colour has been used deftly in small doses, from the muddy taupe of the sitting room to the buttery yellow of one of the bedrooms. The walls are mostly painted in warm neutrals, with pattern reserved for textiles and accessories. I think this helps create an instantly calming space where no one thing is overpowering everything else, not to mention a space that can appeal to whoever walks through the door and comes to stay. It also lends focus to certain items, such as the Studio Ashby fabric covered coffee table.

The furniture was mostly sourced locally from some of Deal’s wonderful independent shops – indeed, everyone seemed to know Ollerton as we went around the shops and suggested it was the place to stay! I particularly loved the unique artworks and the mix of old and new finds, making for a comfy, homely setting.

The honesty and simplicity of the spaces also brought focus to the little details or moments that might otherwise pass you by – such as the dappled light falling through a window, the texture of the exposed floorboards or the glow of a vintage lamp. These little details all help to create a tactile space that you just want to spend time in.

If you’ve made it this far down the post, well done – as you can tell, I got a bit snap happy! But it was really hard not to, when every room looked so beautiful. The best home away from home is the one where you come back bursting with ideas, wanting to change everything about your home. I got so much design inspiration from one weekend away, and found myself lifting up mugs to see who made them, searching cushions for labels and making a mental note to buy more vintage furniture. I love unique stays that feel homely and intimate – like you’re getting a window into someone’s world. Safe to say I wanted to stay at Ollerton’s and never leave!

I will also be sharing a travel guide to Deal – so do keep an eye out for that.