It’s Really Hard to Believe This “English Country Cottage” Is Actually a Rental Home in Arizona
Sometimes fate forces the future to arrive quicker than you’d think. At least that’s what happened for Ashton and Peps. The couple, who had been doing long distance, knew that one day they’d move in together, but they weren’t in a rush. Ashton, content creator, photographer, and founder of Vielle Collective, a small vintage shop, simply told Peps that when the time was right, she dreamed of a small home in the historic district of downtown Mesa, Arizona.

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A casual scroll through local rental listings proved fruitless and over budget, so Ashton doubled down, thinking it was best to wait it out. Or so she thought.
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“The very next morning, our good friend texted asking if we’d be interested in a one-bedroom, one-bath rental in a historic neighborhood in downtown Mesa,” Ashton explains. “We couldn’t believe this opportunity presented itself in the manner it did!”
A day later the couple put down a deposit, and it’s been three years since. The home was built in 1940 and retained some of its charm, but Ashton admits that it “felt overshadowed by generic renter finishes.” Luckily, though, she saw through the updates and transformed the home into a cozy oasis.
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Resources
PAINT & COLORS
- Entryway — Behr “Cottage White”
- Living Room — Sherwin Williams “Tres Naturale”
- Kitchen — Behr “Wax Sculpture”
- Kitchen Door — Behr “Ombré Blue”
- Bedroom — Behr “Wax Sculpture”
- Bedroom Doors — Benjamin Moore “Winter Lake”
- Bathroom — Behr “Cottage White”
ENTRYWAY
- Chris Loves Julia Grey & White Marble Peel & Stick Floor Tile — Wall Pops
- Narrow Console Table — Amazon
- Coat Rack — Estate Sale
- Mirror — Estate Sale
- Linen Gauze Curtains — Etsy
- Light Fixture — Tulip Shades
LIVING ROOM
- Neva Sofa — Six Penny
- Throw Cushions — Projektityyny
- Woven Quilt — Sézane
- Dorothy Wall Sconce — Ballard Designs
- Ticking Stripe Curtains — Hand Sewn
- Ethan Allen Ottoman — Thrift Store
- Hand-Woven Jute Rug — Amazon
- Hand-Braided Jute Rug — Etsy
- Dixon Oval Linen Pendant Light — Etsy
- Marble Mantel — Antique Store
- Pine Hutch — Facebook Marketplace
- Stillwater Floral Quilt — Schoolhouse
- ‘Perfect Pair’ Print — Coco Shalom
- ‘Get Off Your High Horse’ Print — Coco Shalom
- English Pine Wooden Chair — Estate Sale
- Twinky Cordless Wall Sconce — Pooky Lights
- Petal Lamp — Olliella
- Red Plaid Sofa — Facebook Marketplace
- Peak Stitch Pillow Shams — Schoolhouse
- Lewis Double Toggle Switchplate — Rejuvenation
BREAKFAST NOOK
- Dual Drop Leaf Dining Table — The Home Depot
- Ceramic Pendant — deVOL Kitchen
- Unlacquered Brass Hooks — Antique Store
- Inside-Mount Cafe Set — Rejuvenation
- Unlacquered Brass Pinch Clips — Rejuvenation
- Cafe Curtains — Hand Sewn
- Maple Wood Dining Chairs — Antique Store
- Havenhurst Handmade Jute Rug — Lulu And Georgia
KITCHEN
- Kitchen Hutch — Antique Store
- Ceramic Striped Flushmount — West Elm
- Porcelain Jean Pendant — Huey Lightshop
- Outside-Mount Cafe Set — Rejuvenation
- Unlacquered Brass Pinch Clips — Rejuvenation
- Carrara Marble Peel ^ Stick Backsplash Wall Tile — Home Depot
- White Linen Ruffle Shade — Etsy
- Cherry Jute Rug — Etsy
- Lewis Single Toggle Switchplate — Rejuvenation
- Butcher Block Contact Paper — Amazon
- Antique Brass Cabinet Handles — Amazon
BEDROOM
- Havenhurst Handmade Jute Rug — Lulu and Georgia
- Lewis Single Toggle Switchplate — Rejuvenation
- Tufjord Bed Frame — IKEA
- Stand 22” Ceiling Fan with Natural Rattan Shade — Wayfair
- Drexel Dresser/Credenza — Etsy
- Wicker Cabinet — Estate Sale
- Oak Wood Side Table — Estate Sale
- Block Print Roman Shades — Etsy
- Custom Designed Limited-Edition Cushion — Etsy
- Rhubarb Gingham 100% Linen Duvet Cover — Piglet In Bed
- Washed Flax Linen Bed Skirt — Amazon
- Quilted Cushion Cover — Etsy
BATHROOM
- Gingham Shower Curtain — Schoolhouse
- Lewis Single Toggle Switchplate — Rejuvenation
- Chris Loves Julia Grey & White Marble Peel & Stick Floor Tile — Wall Pops
- Custom Sink Skirt — Etsy
- Single Chukka Wall Fixture — Pooky Lights
- Classic Cotton Bath Mat — Schoolhouse
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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