KENT OAK-FRAMED HOUSE
English tradition meets Swedish chic in Sophia and Andrew Wadsworthõs stunning self-build
Combining the best of their heritages, this couple have created a fusion of English tradition and Scandi simplicity in their self-build
Looking at Sophia and Andrew Wadsworth’s beautiful home, it’s hard to believe what the plot of land looked like when they first bought it. A car park, an unsightly electricity pylon and buildings for a riding school took up much of the 5.5 acre site – then the couple plonked three old mobile homes into the mix! ‘We had sold our house in East Sussex the previous year and had been renting,’ says Sophia. ‘We knew exactly what we were looking for in a plot and were willing to cast our net wide to find land with a perfect view.’ Determination and patience paid off and they secured the property in Kent in 2006.
The plot included a cottage and outbuildings and was sold with planning permission for a house. ‘The stable buildings were ugly and there was no garden as such, but the surroundings were stunning,’ says Sophia. It took almost a year for the couple to get the planning permission altered so they could build the oakframed house they wanted. And, as they finally took up residence in the mobile homes ready for work to commence, unforeseen delays with the builders saw them shiver through one of the coldest winters in memory. ‘We lived in the mobile homes for a year and a half – nothing happened on site for the first eight months,’ says Sophia. ‘The frame was put up in just four days, but the overall build took 10 months.’
Luckily, the two-storey, barn-style house in brick and Kentish weatherboarding, with an adjoining single storey extension that replaced the old stable block, was worth the wait. ‘Oakwrights, the oak-frame building company, helped us make the most of the permissions and finalise a design the planning department would approve. We were all very happy in the end as it’s an original design that fits into the landscape beautifully,’ says Sophia.
When it came to the interiors, Sophia, who is half-swedish, applied the thinking behind Scandinavian design to make the most of the available natural light. ‘I like a neutral interior; I find it very calming,’ she says. ‘Here, I think it really showcases the beauty of the mellow oak beams. The wood is a key part of the building and I didn’t want to drown it out.’ She went for a mix of French and Scandinavian furniture and dressed the windows with shutters.
With the car park and electricity pylon gone, the view is all the more beautiful and the couple have created a mix of formal and relaxed gardens outside. It is a large plot, so they invested in a vast underground rainwater harvester to help with the watering. And there are further changes planned for both house and garden in the near future. ‘We are about to convert the three-bay garage into a guest annexe,’ says Sophia. ‘It will also provide space for a study, shower room and laundry room.’
But no work will be taking place over Christmas this year. This is family time and Sophia creates a cosy mood in the house with candlelight, fresh flowers and the baubles she has collected over the years – some English, some Scandinavian. ‘We have a name for it,’ she says. ‘It is what we affectionately refer to as a “Swenglish Christmas”. We like to uphold all the Christmas traditions from both cultures and that’s what makes it really special for us.’
❝THE OPEN-PLAN LAYOUT REALLY WORKS FOR US. WE LOVE TO COOK AND ENTERTAIN, FILLING THE HOUSE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS ❞
❝I LIKE A NEUTRAL INTERIOR – I FIND IT VERY CALMING AND I THINK IT REALLY SHOWCASES THE BEAUTY OF THE MELLOW OAK BEAMS❞