Day: July 19, 2025

Cozy Appeal of Farmhouse-Style BedroomsCozy Appeal of Farmhouse-Style Bedrooms

The farmhouse style bedroom blends the warmth of rustic charm with the calm simplicity of modern design. With its cozy textures, vintage-inspired accents, and soft color palettes, this aesthetic brings an inviting and restful energy perfect for any home retreat. Two key elements that truly define this style are farmhouse bedding and a farmhouse chest of drawers.

Farmhouse Bedding: Comfort with Character

Farmhouse bedding is all about natural materials, soft hues, and lived-in appeal. Picture crisp linens in whites, ivories, or muted sage, layered with quilted coverlets or cozy waffle weaves for texture. Classic checks, stripes, or subtle florals in soothing tones—think dusty blush, sage green, or navy—add visual interest without overwhelming.

Look for duvet covers with piping or ruffled edges, and layer with knit throws or wool blankets to enhance warmth. Decorative pillows with plaids, ticking stripes, or homespun fabrics bring a sense of layered comfort. Whether it’s a crisp Euro sham behind classic pillar pillows or a cluster of cushions at the foot of the bed, farmhouse bedding turns your sleeping space into a cozy, stylish sanctuary.

Farmhouse Chest of Drawers: Rustic Elegance Meets Utility

A farmhouse chest of drawers anchors the bedroom with charm and functionality. Often crafted from reclaimed or distressed wood, these pieces boast visible grain, knots, and soft patinas that tell a story. They usually feature classic silhouettes—straight or slightly curved profiles—accented by farmhouse touches like beadboard panels, plank-style drawer fronts, or chunky wooden knobs and cup-pull hardware in matte black or oil-rubbed bronze.

A five- or six-drawer chest in warm honey oak, natural pine, or painted white is ideal. Use the top to display seasonal accessories: a vase of fresh wildflowers, a stack of favorite books, or a woven tray holding candles and trinkets. The ample storage ensures you have room for linens, sweaters, or seasonal apparel while keeping the space organized and charming.

Styling Tips for a Farmhouse Retreat

Layer Softly: Start with a neutral base—say, a white linen quilt—and add texture with a chunky knit throw and plaid pillows.

Choose Natural Finishes: Wood tones in bedding accents, bedside tables, and drawers should feel lived-in and slightly weathered.

Go for Cozy Accents: An upholstered bench, linen window panels, and jute rugs help ground the space in farmhouse comfort.

Anchor with Greenery: Bring in potted eucalyptus, dried lavender bundles, or a vase of foraged blooms for freshness and a touch of nature.

Opt for Warm Lighting: Table lamps with neutral linen shades or Edison-bulb sconces mimic antique fixtures and enhance the cozy, welcoming glow.

Why It Works

The key to farmhouse style is balance: organic materials meet refined details, rustic textures blend with soft fabrics, and personal touches bring depth. A farmhouse bedding set adds visual comfort and softness, while a chest of drawers offers both form and function—creating a space filled with warmth, order, and a touch of nostalgia.

Your Farmhouse Bedroom Upgrade

Elevate your bedroom with thoughtfully chosen farmhouse pieces that blend heritage and modern living. With the right bedding and a charming chest of drawers, your sanctuary will feel like a peaceful countryside escape every day. For a beautifully curated selection that captures this timeless aesthetic, visit Gabby today. Discover the perfect pieces to bring farmhouse elegance home at gabby.com.

Limited company buy-to-let mortgage deals improve as rates fallLimited company buy-to-let mortgage deals improve as rates fall

Professional landlords using limited companies to hold rental properties are seeing new opportunities this summer, as buy-to-let mortgage rates fall and lenders become more competitive in the specialist lending space.

With the number of

limited company buy to let

landlords at a record high—more than 320,000 according to Companies House—lenders are ramping up offerings tailored to this growing market. For investors focused on long-term portfolio growth and tax efficiency, now could be an ideal time to refinance or expand.

Specialist lenders lead the charge

While high street banks remain cautious, specialist

buy to let mortgage

lenders such as Paragon, Precise Mortgages, Landbay and Fleet Mortgages are actively targeting limited company borrowers. Many now offer five-year fixed rates below 5.5%, with flexible criteria around portfolio size, rental stress testing, and property type.

According to Moneyfacts, the average limited company buy-to-let fixed rate in July 2025 is 5.58%—down from 5.92% in April. Some deals are now available at rates closer to 5%, especially for landlords borrowing at 65% loan-to-value (LTV) or lower.

Daniel Lee, principal at Total Landlord Mortgages, said:

“We’re seeing increased lender appetite for limited company borrowers. Lenders recognise this is the structure of choice for tax-savvy landlords, and competition is pushing rates and fees down.”

Tax efficiency keeps company route attractive

Since the restriction of mortgage interest relief for individual landlords in 2020, limited company structures have become the go-to option for portfolio landlords. Profits taxed through a company are subject to corporation tax—currently 25%—rather than personal income tax rates of up to 45%. Mortgage interest is also fully deductible as a business expense.

For higher-rate taxpayers, this can make a significant difference. While company borrowing often comes with slightly higher rates and fees, the net savings from tax relief frequently outweigh those costs—especially on larger portfolios or high-value properties.

Property tax consultant Rita Armitage explained:

“The limited company route still makes financial sense for most higher-rate landlords. Even with the corporation tax increase, the ability to offset mortgage interest and control how profits are drawn is a big advantage.”

What landlords need to watch

Although limited company borrowing offers clear long-term benefits, it also comes with added complexity. Legal and accounting fees, additional administrative work, and tighter underwriting mean landlords must do their due diligence.

Lenders assess limited company applicants differently, often looking at personal guarantees, director income, and the property portfolio’s overall health. But some are relaxing requirements—for example, allowing top-slicing or ignoring minor historical credit blips.

According to Zoopla, rental yields remain strong—averaging 6.2% for company landlords, particularly in regions like the North West, South Wales, and Yorkshire. With inflation falling and interest rates likely to be cut later in the year, many landlords are now locking into five-year fixes to future-proof their business plans.

Looking ahead

For landlords operating via limited companies, falling mortgage rates and stronger lender competition offer a rare window of opportunity. With rental demand high and yields outperforming inflation, strategic investors who act now could set themselves up for long-term stability and tax-efficient growth.

Check the latest

buy to let mortgage rates

here.