Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Cosy Garden ‘Cottage’ That’s Full of Natural Light
A beautiful oak building provides the perfect self-contained living space
The idea of building an annexe in the garden is an appealing one, particularly for homeowners who have elderly relatives or grown-up children, or who want a home office away from the main building. But can you build one that provides a pleasing view from the house?
That’s just what the team at Prime Oak did when they constructed this beautiful one-bed home for a relative who’d had a hip replacement.
That’s just what the team at Prime Oak did when they constructed this beautiful one-bed home for a relative who’d had a hip replacement.
The one-bed building is made from oak, with vertical timber boarding on the façade, sturdy oak supports inside, and reclaimed tiles on the roof.
“We hired a construction team to build the foundations,” Penny says. “Then we built the structure on top.”
The stable-style front door has a porch in front, which provides shelter from the weather when entering. Wall lights either side of the door can be switched on from inside.
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“We hired a construction team to build the foundations,” Penny says. “Then we built the structure on top.”
The stable-style front door has a porch in front, which provides shelter from the weather when entering. Wall lights either side of the door can be switched on from inside.
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The roof on the front section of the annexe is pitched, with exposed beams backed by painted tongue-and-groove boarding. “With a one-bed annexe like this, the ceiling can be kept at a height of 4m,” Penny says. “This means it can be built under Permitted Development regulations.”
The back section, where the kitchen is located, has a flat roof.
Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball.
The back section, where the kitchen is located, has a flat roof.
Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball.
French windows look out to the garden from the living area, and have been painted to match the front door and windows elsewhere.
Along the horizontal beam, the team have positioned LED spotlights. “There’s a groove on the top of the beam to allow the cables to run along,” Penny explains.
Along the horizontal beam, the team have positioned LED spotlights. “There’s a groove on the top of the beam to allow the cables to run along,” Penny explains.
The Shaker-style kitchen has been neatly planned to incorporate plenty of storage. “There’s a fridge inside one of the cupboards,” Penny says, “and a standard-sized oven in the breakfast bar.”
An undermounted sink is located in front of the window, and is slotted into a granite worktop.
Oven, AEG. Kitchen units, Venables Oak. Units painted in Railings and Elephant’s Breath, both Farrow & Ball.
An undermounted sink is located in front of the window, and is slotted into a granite worktop.
Oven, AEG. Kitchen units, Venables Oak. Units painted in Railings and Elephant’s Breath, both Farrow & Ball.
The breakfast bar has a curved design, which was chosen for its looks and practicality, as the lack of sharp edges makes it more ergonomic.
The team fitted a streamlined induction hob into the breakfast bar and positioned an extractor hood above it.
The bedroom is 4 x 4m and has a view of the garden through a four-paned window – there are two fixed panes and two that open.
Penny and the team designed fitted wardrobes and drawers along the wall opposite the bed. The space above the wardrobe can also be used for extra storage.
Penny and the team designed fitted wardrobes and drawers along the wall opposite the bed. The space above the wardrobe can also be used for extra storage.
To save space, the team incorporated a recess for the radiator. They also fitted a sliding door that leads into the en suite. “The lights come on in the bathroom when the door opens,” Penny says.
The floor and shower area of the en suite are covered with reclaimed slate roof tiles. To the right is a walk-in shower, which worked well for Penny’s grandmother, as she didn’t need to step up into it.
Tell us…
Would you consider building an annexe like this one? What would you use it for? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
Would you consider building an annexe like this one? What would you use it for? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? The designer’s grandmother
Location Worcestershire
Size 5.6m x 10.5m
Designer Penny Whitlock of Prime Oak
Photos by David Peters
This beautiful wooden building, designed by the team at Prime Oak is a garden annexe with a distinctly cottage-like aesthetic. Director Penny Whitlock’s grandmother, moved in shortly after it was built.
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