Inside a 16th-Century Suffolk Cottage: How Lizzie Best Turned History into a Timeless Home

Cozy cottage bedroom with a brass bed, patchwork quilt, and pillows, featuring rustic decor, framed paintings on the wall, a small bedside table with a lamp and flowers, wooden beams, and a white door with a brown bag and checked cloth hanging.

Step inside the enchanting world of Lizzie Best, owner of The Primitive Home, and discover how a neglected Tudor-era cottage became a warm, soulful sanctuary filled with history, character, and charm.

Photography and Interior Designs by Lizzie Best

Love at First Sight (and Second Thoughts)

Some homes capture your heart instantly. For Lizzie Best, it was a 16th-century cottage tucked away on the Norfolk-Suffolk border. “Each time we drove past, I would declare that ‘one day I will live in that house!’” she recalls.

When the property finally came up for sale, Lizzie and her partner Steve jumped at the chance—but reality hit hard during the viewing. “I hated it! It was unloved, dark, damp, and needed a lot of love,” Lizzie admits.

But what began as a daunting renovation project soon became the couple’s greatest adventure.

Breathing Life Back into a Tudor Treasure

Moving in back in 2015, Lizzie and Steve quickly realized their dream home needed serious attention. Damp issues, water ingress, and tired interiors demanded a complete overhaul. The couple rolled up their sleeves and embraced the DIY life.

Key Restoration Highlights:

cute holiday entrance with old wood benc and bench and sage freen walls

Exterior Revival: A full makeover, including new windows, fresh paint, and even a porch rebuild.
Structural Changes: Upstairs walls came down, an en suite and cloakroom were added, and the bathroom is mid-revamp.
Tudor Secrets Uncovered: Original pargetting (ornamental plasterwork) and curious protective amulets—including a woven woman’s shoe and two tiny leather children’s shoes—were discovered hidden within the chimney.

“It’s amazing how skilful you become when you don’t have the budget for someone else to carry out the renovations,” Lizzie laughs.

A Calm and Neutral Palette for Modern Living

A cozy cottage living room with exposed wooden ceiling beams, a white sofa with pillows and a sheepskin throw, a potted plant on a wooden table, a window with curtains, a brick fireplace, and a floral painting on the wall.

During lockdown, Lizzie found herself craving a soothing, uncluttered space. “Beams can make a room feel busy, so I decided to drench everything in neutral tones,” she explains. This pared-back approach allows the cottage’s historic features to shine without overwhelming the senses.

The result? A harmonious blend of rustic Tudor bones with a light, airy aesthetic that feels both timeless and contemporary.

See how to master a neutral color scheme.

The Primitive Home: A Passion Project Turned Business

A cozy cottage living room with exposed wooden ceiling beams, a white sofa with pillows a wooden primitive corner table, a brick fireplace.

Lizzie’s love for interiors evolved into The Primitive Home, a curated collection of antique and vintage treasures, alongside handmade linen bows. “Our cottage has become a huge part of my brand,” says Lizzie.

Her sourcing philosophy is simple:

Natural Materials: Wood, linen, and stone for warmth and texture.
Timeless Design: Pieces that outlast fleeting trends.
Stories in Every Piece: From Victorian pine drawers to Georgian dressers, antique rugs to oil paintings—each object adds soul to the space.

“I adore old rugs and oil paintings—the more wear, the better. They’re such an easy way to inject character,” Lizzie shares.

How to Decorate a Neutral Living Room

Living with Character and Comfort

A cozy cottage kitchen with dining table is viewed through a doorway, featuring six chairs, a large woven pendant light, dish-filled cabinets, and a cat sitting on the table beside a vase of dried flowers.

While the interiors have a serene, curated look, Lizzie insists the home is designed for real life. “We’re outdoorsy and busy. Shoes-off, ultra-tidy just isn’t us,” she says.

Instead, the cottage embraces:

Durable Floors: Perfect for muddy paws and boots.
Old Rugs: Practical, forgiving, and beautiful.
Sink-Into Sofas: The ultimate spot for fireside lounging after a long countryside walk.

What’s Next for Lizzie and Steve?

After nine years, countless DIY weekends, and an Instagram community cheering them on, Lizzie and Steve are preparing to hand over the keys to someone new. “This cottage will always hold the biggest piece of our hearts,” Lizzie reflects. “Our first home together, and the home that taught us so many new skills.”

But for now, this Suffolk cottage stands as a testament to the power of passion, patience, and preserving history with heart.

Get inspired by more rustic farmhouse interiors.

Key Takeaways for Your Own Home

cottage hallway with primative home decor exposed reclaimed wood beams, stone flooring and Christmas tree

Honor the Original: Retain historic features where possible—they tell the story of your home.
Choose Timeless Over Trendy: Invest in pieces that feel authentic and enduring.
Balance Beauty with Practicality: A home should work for your lifestyle, not the other way around.

A cozy cottage bedroom with striped linnen bedfing, a wooden nightstand holding a white lamp, a vase of orange tulips, a small painting on the wall, and a rustic white wooden door with black hinges on a wooden floor.

Follow Lizzie on Instagram @cottage.on.the.corner for more inspiration, and explore her curated finds at The Primitive Home.

Explore more English country decor ideas.

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