Holiday Cottage,
Herefordshire
Brief
Following a very successful project in West Oxford were delighted to be asked by a former client to work with them once again on their holiday home on the edge of the Black Mountains in rural Herefordshire.
Challenges
The existing property was totally derelict, necessitating a comprehensive strip-back and refurbishment, whilst seeking opportunities to exploit the adjoining stone barn and intrinsic site qualities.
Solution
New openings link the key living spaces for better flow inside, whilst the adjacent barn is repurposed as a garden room with a generous oversailing roof - perfect for enjoying the intermittent showers rolling off the Black Mountains.
Sensitive finishes and new alterations are finely balanced with careful conservation of the existing building. Previously failed cement-based finishes within the property were removed and replaced with a carefully specified system of wood fibre breathable insulation and lime plasters. In many rooms, the original stonework - covered over for generations - was revealed to add a bonus layer of texture and character to the spaces.
The material palette is simple - the original stonework is cleaned up and accented with new oak and lime plaster. The end result retains the character of the historic cottage, albeit with a more modern rustic feel.
