Book excerpt: An intimate look at the interiors and lifestyles of young creatives who have taken their studios, practices, and creativity to the calm of the English countryside The countryside has always been a breath of fresh air for those trapped in the urban jungle. With a greater appetite for “authentic” experiences, working practices, and creative inspiration, metropolitan talents are setting up studios far from the madding crowd. Combining a more relaxed lifestyle with budding entrepreneurship, and capturing it all on social media, a new generation of young creatives is redefining "country living.” Creative Living Country celebrates this new approach to a quintessentially British shelter: the country cottage, as envisioned by a new breed of artists and creatives—from photographers to textile designers, from ceramicists to musicians—who make their homes, work, and lifestyle away from the city lights. Looking at twenty-five houses across the United Kingdom, Chloe Grimshaw and Luke White provide a glimpse into a broad range of truly original country homes. From the hills of the Lake District to the moors of Scotland, the unique landscapes that make up the British experience take on new meaning in the hands of these creative pioneers and provide inspiration for all of us, no matter where we live.