LOOKING AT THE STARS

One of the highlights of the renovation for the owners is the roof light in the guest bathroom that allows them to look at the stars while in the bath. One of the only other internal structural changes allowed them to open the dining room to the TV room and create a unique and lager space to relax in.

THE SCARY MOMENTS IN LISTED BUILDING RENOVATION

Sometimes there are concerning moments in builds such as this; to complete the renovations, we made some external repairs being very careful to match the materials. One of the external walls had to be propped up and so a deep trench had to be dug next to an external wall to prop it up. It seems like sometimes there is so much destruction and disruption that the client worries we will never be able to put it all back together – but that is where the professionalism of our site managers comes in, knowing the sequence of all events and ensuring everything is done as safely and smoothly as possible.

AWARD WINNING RESULTS

The result is a beautifully renovated building that, apart from the electrics, finishes and furniture, structurally looks like it would have done 200 years ago when it was two lots of two room and the winders. Chris and Ali fell in love with the building when they first saw it, and thought it was magical and we were able to keep and enhance that magic to turn it into a quintessential English countryside retreat. “The Brits real need to go on holiday – I don’t feel that need”.

This project won ‘Highly Commended’ at the Chiltern’s Buildings Design Awards in 2019, with judges making special mention of the development for its ‘rigour and restraint, and for the meticulous care with which the works were carried out.’

‘The farmhouse has retained all of its simple character, telling its long history through the exposed elm timber-frame, multi-phase brick infill, and many internal features that have been carefully conserved.’ Chilterns Buildings Design Awards