Cottage Renovation

There is no better example than our own home for you to visualise how a 300 year old cottage, that used to be a blacksmith, can be transformed to not only allow its old beauty to shine but also to ensure that it is designed to the current times we live in.

This makeover was a result of eight years living in the cottage and improving it room by room, year by year. The biggest changes of the architectural nature included: master bedroom size increase by moving one of the walls, partial wall removal between the lounge and the dining room to increase the light flow, reinstallation of the fireplace within the guest bedroom, replacement of the heating system, replacement and addition of new radiators, insulation and boarding of the attic spaces to increase thermal qualities and increase storage, installation of Velux windows within one of the attic to allow light and healthy, natural ventilation of that space, replacement of all windows to solid oak windows, full soft and hard landscape for the front and back garden, creation of the back garden summer house and side storage, extension at the back of the house.

The interior’s transformation was extensive too. All flooring was replaced and we opted for natural materials, avoiding man made products as much as it was possible: Yorkshire flagstone, slate tiles, wool and sisal carpets, wool rugs. The entire cottage was repainted in some of the most beautiful Farrow & Ball paints like Purbeck Stone and Wevet on the landing or French Grey and Old White in the study. Both bathrooms and kitchen were completely removed, redesigned and re-installed. The new lighting scheme was introduced everywhere.

I’m especially proud of the handmade and bespoke items that I have designed and majority of them created myself: roman blinds and curtains, bespoke seat pads and shallow buttoned back rest in the dining room, deep buttoned headboard for super king size bed, decorative cushions, upholstery of occasional chairs, creation of the bathroom storage and design of the solid wood dining table, seating benches, storage, shelving and desk in the study and foldable desk in one of the bedrooms. Several items were upcycled and painted in the process like wardrobes, chest of drawers, stools, coffee table, fish tank and chests storage.

Scope of service: full design of the interior, project management, sourcing and supply of all products and materials, design and creation of many handmade and bespoke home items.