Lara is originally from Germany, where she studied Special Educational Needs before moving to England in 2016. She now runs the instagram account What A View Cottage which has over 240,000 followers, who tune in to be inspired by her modern take on rustic style.
Lara has always had a creative streak and the urge to experiment with colours and different layouts made her rearrange the furniture of her childhood bedroom constantly. These days she lives with her husband, their two sons and their fluffy, ginger cat Gizmo in a modern cottage in Wiltshire. She loves to create cosy, lived in spaces with lots of texture and the use of colour. Her specialty is to give rooms that cottage feel with a modern and sometimes unexpected twist and she's not afraid to mix interior styles.
'If you think that sounds expensive, you're wrong!' Lara says. 'I'm proud to have done everything in our home myself and on a budget. Finding cheaper alternatives, thinking of creative solutions, upcycling and DIYing are my go-tos and I always have a long to-do list of projects in my mind. In addition to my love for interiors I've developed a real passion for gardening and you will often find me pottering around our garden with amazing views, slowly adding more colour, charm and personality.'
Latest articles by Lara Winter
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Dark blue walls and big opinions – why designing my 8-year-old son’s room challenged me more than I expectedIt's now a space he actually wants to spend time in
By Lara Winter
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How I make my sweet pea tents (and why you should too) – no complicated carpentry, no fancy tools, just some bamboo canes, string and a bit of patienceThe best part is that it’s surprisingly easy
By Lara Winter
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Little habits that keep our home running smoothly – keeping it organised isn’t about heroic cleaning sessions or magically making everything disappearSmall efforts for big payoffs
By Lara Winter
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More is more, but make it calm – how I’m layering patterns in our dining nook and bedroom without tipping the house into visual overloadIt's less about bravery and more about balance
By Lara Winter
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The 5 design features I consider completely non-negotiable – secrets behind every well-designed home that make everyday life easier and calmerThe quiet, behind-the-scenes decisions that really make or break how a house feels
By Lara Winter
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Why I think in pops not palettes when choosing colours for my home – how I've nailed a 'calm colour' approach and my tips to help you do the sameCreate a peaceful foundation and then layer in colours that make you smile
By Lara Winter
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How I repurpose old things – and my absolute favourite upcycling project so farWhy you really don’t need to buy everything new
By Lara Winter
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The easy and affordable toys that keep my kids busy for hoursPlus, they don't need batteries or create loud noises!
By Lara Winter
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Owning up to the interior design mistakes I've made over the years, so you can avoid them in your decorating journeyBecause nothing teaches you faster than doing it wrong first
By Lara Winter
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I just sanded our dark, wooden floor – here’s what I’ve learned after putting it off for seven years (and yes, I cried)What you should know before tackling this beast of a task
By Lara Winter
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I never (ever!) turn on the big light – these are the ingenious ways I illuminate my home that feel so much softer and warmerHow to light your home if you're as 'big light' averse as me
By Lara Winter
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I love to make big design decisions but I hate to spend money when I don't have to – these are my spend-savvy decorating secretsMy top tips when it comes to transforming our home on a budget
By Lara Winter
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I'm a neat freak who secretly hates cleaning – these are my sanity-saving tricks for keeping my family home tidy, calm, and guest-readyI've had to learn a few tricks along the way and I think they'll help you keep your house in order, too
By Lara Winter
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I think of myself as anti-trend but the 'look-through' decorating trick I keep seeing on Instagram really worksIt's the only interior trend I actually follow (and why you should too)
By Lara Winter
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Design shouldn't be matchy-matchy, and my home is anything but – how I create a cohesive home (even while mixing all the styles)The trick to how I mix it up yet still make everything flow together
By Lara Winter
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How to add pieces to your home that tell your story, and how I ignored all the interior design 'rules' to make a house that felt like meHow I added fun, colour, and a whole lot of personality to my 200-year-old cottage by giving up on following the rules
By Lara Winter
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Will vinyl floor panels look good? I've tried them instead of tiling my bathroom and have a very strong opinionI took the plunge and tried vinyl floor panels on my bathroom floor instead of tiles – this is my honest take on how it went
By Lara Winter

