Textile designer Molly Mahon and her husband Rollo have created a family home and thriving business in a cottage in the Ashdown Forest.

Textile designer Molly Mahon’s woodsman’s cottage is tucked along a wooded lane on the edge of the Ashdown Forest. For many of us it would be a dream to live here, but while the location is idyllic, Molly explains, their lovely cottage was far from dreamy when they relocated here from London eight years ago.

Molly’s fabrics on cushions in the sitting room. She painted the flowers on the cupboard doors

Molly’s fabrics on cushions in the sitting room

The lampshade over the kitchen table is in Molly’s design Pattee. The worktops were made from scaffolding planks

The lampshade over the kitchen table is in Molly’s design Pattee. The worktops were made from scaffolding planks

Most of the soft furnishings in the room have been designed and made by Molly

Most of the soft furnishings in the room have been designed and made by Molly

Molly’s painted flowers on the cupboard doors

Molly’s painted flowers on the cupboard doors

The sofa in the sitting room is covered in Molly’s award-winning Luna fabric

The sofa in the sitting room is covered in Molly’s award-winning Luna fabric

Molly painted the fireplace in Bloomsbury style.

Molly painted the fireplace in Bloomsbury style

Molly painted the fireplace in Bloomsbury style. The painting on the left is by her friend Emma Black

The painting on the left is by her friend Emma Black

Molly and the children painted the stars on to the blue paint on the staircase walls. The wallpaper is Molly’s Lani design

Molly and the children painted the stars on to the blue paint on the staircase walls. The wallpaper is Molly’s Lani design

Daughter Lani’s bedroom. The fabric in the canopy is one of Molly’s hand-block printed cottons, Stars

Daughter Lani’s bedroom. The fabric in the canopy is one of Molly’s hand-block printed cottons, Stars

The wallpaper is Spot and Star

The wallpaper is Spot and Star

Youngest child, Orlando’s bedroom. The wallpaper is Fern. The quilt is also by Molly Mahon

Youngest child, Orlando’s bedroom. The wallpaper is Fern. The quilt is also by Molly Mahon

Molly’s Coral wallpaper in the bathroom

Molly’s Coral wallpaper in the bathroom

Rollo and Molly’s bedroom. All the fabrics and the quilt are by Molly Mahon

Rollo and Molly’s bedroom. All the fabrics and the quilt are by Molly Mahon

Molly’s colourful designs sing out from every corner

Molly’s colourful designs sing out from every corner

In the master bedroom, all the fabrics – quilt, headboard, lampshades, valance, bedding, cushions, chair – and the wallpaper are all from Molly Mahon

In the master bedroom, all the fabrics – quilt, headboard, lampshades, valance, bedding, cushions, chair – and the wallpaper are all from Molly Mahon

Hanging over the dressing table is a painting by Molly’s friend Lottie Cole

Hanging over the dressing table is a painting by Molly’s friend Lottie Cole

Over the bed in the guest bedroom on the far left and far right are two block-printed fabric samples by Barron and Larcher, early 20th century pioneers in fabric design who have been a big influence on Molly’s work

Over the bed in the guest bedroom on the far left and far right are two block-printed fabric samples by Barron and Larcher, early 20th century pioneers in fabric design who have been a big influence on Molly’s work

Molly’s garden studio in what was the garage

Molly’s garden studio in what was the garage

The children have their own wall of paintings in the studio

The children have their own wall of paintings in the studio

Lino cuts and printing blocks on an Indian chest

Lino cuts and printing blocks on an Indian chest

Playing with blocks at her print table

Playing with blocks at her print table

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