GLOUCESTERSHIRE NEW-BUILD
Scandinavian style injects new life into a property rebuilt to fulfil a couple’s dream
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HANNA STENVALL REBUILT A GLOUCESTERSHIRE BUNGALOW AND TRANSFORMED IT WITH A STUNNING SCANDINAVIAN-INSPIRED INTERIOR
Sometimes,if you can’t find the ideal country house, you just have to build one yourself. That’s what happened with Hanna Stenvall and her builder husband, Rob. The couple began looking for a bigger house in 2012. They found a three-bedroom bungalow about half an hour away from their current home. Rob knew the village, having renovated a house there. The bungalow was dated but, being on a beautiful plot, they knew they could turn it into a perfect family home. ‘We fell in love with the location – a lovely village in gorgeous countryside,’ says Hanna.
The family lived in their new home until planning permission to change it came through a year later. ‘We called in an architect to design it and the plan involved knocking much of the house down and extending it,’ says Hanna. The design was also based on gaining access from a new drive at the side of the house, which meant the house would be rebuilt with the front turned 90 degrees to face the drive. This would also make better use of the garden, which originally had been on the other side of the house. Hanna and Rob planned to build a two-storey extension at the rear, with a kitchen/family room that opened up to the south-facing garden.
Once permission was granted, the build took place in two stages. The extension was added first, which the family moved in to and lived in while the bungalow was demolished,
leaving only the ground floor and a few internal walls. ‘At one point we had a ladder in the kitchen and we used it to go into the main bedroom, where we all lived!’ says Hanna.
A roof was built over the first-floor bedrooms and bathrooms. Plumbing, electrics and underfloor heating were installed. The wow factor was a vast glass window in the living room, which replaced a set of patio doors in the bungalow. ‘We took the window up into the roof to maximise the light and the view from the galleried landing,’ says Hanna. A garage was then built with guest accommodation above.
When it came to the interior, Hanna wanted a Nordic look with grey and white furniture, especially Gustavian. ‘I grew up in Sweden, and wanted to create an interior like the house I grew up in,’ she says. ‘For me, it’s all about natural materials such as linen and solid well-made furniture. I love Mora clocks, and I love natural tones and earthy colours. I upholstered the beds myself and also painted the furniture.’
Hanna bought the furniture for her house from Sweden and France. Realising it was a good route for a business, she launched Stenvall Interiors in 2014. ‘Every year we go back to Sweden for family holidays, and I combine that with a buying trip. My passion has always been vintage interiors.’ This is reflected in her own home, which is beautiful, light and calm. ‘Well, as calm as it can be with two boys!’ she says. STENVALL INTERIORS, 07968 763873, STENVALLINTERIORS.COM.