Country Home Design Photos
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McLean QuinlanNestled into a hillside, this timber-framed family home enjoys uninterrupted views out across the countryside of the North Downs. A newly built property, it is an elegant fusion of traditional crafts and materials with contemporary design.
Our clients had a vision for a modern sustainable house with practical yet beautiful interiors, a home with character that quietly celebrates the details. For example, where uniformity might have prevailed, over 1000 handmade pegs were used in the construction of the timber frame.
The building consists of three interlinked structures enclosed by a flint wall. The house takes inspiration from the local vernacular, with flint, black timber, clay tiles and roof pitches referencing the historic buildings in the area.
The structure was manufactured offsite using highly insulated preassembled panels sourced from sustainably managed forests. Once assembled onsite, walls were finished with natural clay plaster for a calming indoor living environment.
Timber is a constant presence throughout the house. At the heart of the building is a green oak timber-framed barn that creates a warm and inviting hub that seamlessly connects the living, kitchen and ancillary spaces. Daylight filters through the intricate timber framework, softly illuminating the clay plaster walls.
Along the south-facing wall floor-to-ceiling glass panels provide sweeping views of the landscape and open on to the terrace.
A second barn-like volume staggered half a level below the main living area is home to additional living space, a study, gym and the bedrooms.
The house was designed to be entirely off-grid for short periods if required, with the inclusion of Tesla powerpack batteries. Alongside underfloor heating throughout, a mechanical heat recovery system, LED lighting and home automation, the house is highly insulated, is zero VOC and plastic use was minimised on the project.
Outside, a rainwater harvesting system irrigates the garden and fields and woodland below the house have been rewilded.
VESP ArchitectsA neutral palette of white walls and ceilings allow the timber structure, herringbone timber floor, and beautifully crafted timber joinery in the room to take centre stage. The kitchen island and units behind are all faced in fluted Oak panels. A brass kick plate at floor level provides a highlight of colour and visual break between the wooden floor and kitchen doors.
Countryside KitchensA tired old cramped kitchen was transformed into an open, light space incorporating the oak framed garden room as the dining area. This opened up the kitchen enabling Shona to cleverly design smart storage by removing the wall cabinets and old extractor resulting in the area being flooded with natural light.
Sustainable KitchensA country kitchen in rural Pembrokeshire with breathtaking views and plenty of character. Under the striking low beamed ceiling, the Shaker cabinets are designed in an L-shape run with a large central freestanding island.
The kitchen revolves around the generously proportioned Ash island acting as a prep table, a place to perch and plenty of storage.
In keeping with the farmhouse aesthetic, the walk in pantry houses jams and jars with everything on show.
Round the corner lies the utility space with an additional sink and white good appliances with a boot room on entry to the property for muddy wellies and raincoats.
Hill Farm Furniture LtdThe beauty of hand-painted, handmade kitchens is that they can be easily added to. This client already had a Hill Farm Furniture kitchen and when they decided to make the area bigger, they asked us back. We redesigned the layout of the kitchen, taking into account their growing family's needs. Bespoke cabinets in a fresh new colour with new Broughton of Leicester door and drawer handles, new appliances and taps created a brand new cosy and homely kitchen. And we didn't stop there, designing, manufacturing and installing bespoke vanity units in the cottage's new ensuite and bathroom.
Country Home Design Photos
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