What was your design / refurbishment timeframe ?
I would always recommend to clients to do all your planning , design and programming / costs up front before you commence on site as this saves time in the long run . However , when you understand the rules , you can sometimes break them and as this was my own house and I had a good builder I was able to extend the brief as we went along . We ended up completely refurbishing the existing house and added a swimming pool which has proven to be a great addition , however these changes did extend the build time and obviously increased the costs .
What is the ethos of The Cottage ?
More than anything I wanted to enjoy the process and then as a result you ’ ll enjoy the house . With any bespoke build project there are always going to be challenges , but it is how you overcome these challenges that is key .
How did you find the balance between an excellent design-led refurb which also kept to budget ?
People often think that good design has to cost more , but it is possible to have good design but be clever about how you spend money . Try not to compromise on the materiality that you touch , or on what you see . If you want to make savings then do this with the hidden detailing , such as creating a bespoke kitchen by using standard carcasses with bespoke door fronts and unit tops .
Where do you start with interior layout for a home that needs to appeal to a mix of guests ?
Homes first need to be places to live , but they also need to be sociable places , so can you design the spaces so they can transform themselves to welcome guests ? The Cottage has been designed with high ceilings and plenty of light in the new extension which suits the kitchen / dining areas , whilst the old house has low ceilings and beams allowing you to retreat to a cosy living room . It is about creating the best of both worlds . It ’ s also as important to give as much energy to the internal spaces as the external – can your design be inside / outside with outdoor dining and living room creating an amazing sociable space .
What were the common mistakes that you managed to avoid ?
The most common mistake we see is that clients can want to rush the process , this can lead to mistakes and cost overruns . It is important to take the right amount of time that matches the ambition of the project .
Did anything go wrong ?
I didn ’ t design enough storage . I completely underestimated how much wardrobe space two teenage girls might require and how much stuff we acquire as a family over time . My advice would be to think carefully about how much storage you might need and then double it !
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