RETREAT
Ben and Samwinstanley have combined modern design with a sensitive approach in order to completely transform a run-down cottage in their ideal location into a dream coastal retreat
Idyllic, picture perfect, country chic — there are so many words to describe Ben and Sam Winstanley’s recently renovated cottage, Hummingbird, on the Cornish coast.
Sam’s parents live in Cornwall and the couple had already bought one property, a barn conversion, in the area five years ago with a plan to rent it out and perhaps one day move there themselves.
“We were down staying in Cornwall wtih Sam’s parents when they came back from a day out and told us they had found a lovely beach (Carne Beach) and suggested we should visit,” explains Ben. “On the way we drove through a little village called Veryan Green — it was the most beautiful village and we were left thinking, if we could ever buy something here then we should.”
Fast forward six months and Ben was casually casting his eye around for houses for sale in the area when he came across an early 19th-century cottage in dire need of renovation — overlooking the village green and just a mile from the beach, in the very village they had fallen for months ago.
“Sam wasn’t initially convinced,” says Ben. “She has an eye for interior styles whereas I could see that the basic shell of the house and its location meant anything was possible — I knew it could be great.”
The ramshackle condition of the house, which needed rewiring and had only an old Rayburn and electric radiators to heat it, meant that there was next to no competition for the cottage and, as the cottage wasn’t listed, and Ben and Sam didn’t plan on extending the footprint, all their planned works fell under Permitted Development.
An unexpected find
“I think that when it comes to renovations you always have to be prepared for the unexpected — plan for the worst!” says Ben.wise words in this instance as Ben and Sam quickly discovered the cottage was riddled with asbestos. Everything from the walls to the false ceiling that had been covering up the original beams on the ground floor contained asbestos, causing an initial three-month delay — a necessity that meant they had to put all trades on hold while the site was locked down and the asbestos was removed. A ‘settling period’ was also required before building work could commence.
Ben kept seeing the logo of the builders they eventually chose for the project, Mac Construction, in the local area and although they got several quotes from various local firms, ended up going with them.
“It wasn’t that they had the best quote, because they were all around the same, but we just got a feeling that we could work with them,” says Ben. “They were friendly and had a can-do attitude and a mentality that anything was possible.
‘‘ When it comes to renovations you have to be prepared for the unexpected
THE HOMEOWNERS
Ben and Sam Winstanley PROJECT Cob cottage renovation LOCATION Cornwall
BUILD TIME Jan 2017 - Jan 2018 SIZE 84m2
PLOT COST £300,000
BUILD COST £80,000
VALUE £450,000
“As we would be 200 miles away (the couple live in Milton Keynes) most of the time, we had to be able to trust them and they were on the phone everyday with updates — knowing we could trust them was the most important part of the project.”
Ben and Sam came up with the plans for the house rather than hiring an architect, as the structural amendments only involved the removal of a few internal walls. Simon Ling of Mac Construction acted as project manager and coordinated the other associated trades.
“At one point the cottage may have been two properties, meaning there was a small difference in the floor levels on the ground floor,” explains Ben. “We knew that this was something that would annoy us if we didn’t sort it out, so while the house was in pieces due to the asbestos removal, we decided to put it right, digging out the floor to level it.
“We were making decisions as we went and this was a job we hadn’t planned for — it was like when you are pulling a thread and then the whole thing comes undone. But once it was all in bits, I could see the possibilities. That was the exciting part for me! Sam likes seeing the final result when everything comes together. We make a good team.”
The house had been constructed mainly from cob, along with some stonework, and thankfully the external walls and roof were in sound condition.
“Once we had dug out the ground floor, the builders and structural engineer recommended that we build a 100mm concrete lip around the edge of the floor, to act as a kind of internal foundation, ensuring the stability of the cob walls. Inside the lip, underfloor has been laid.”
The ground floor walls were boarded and plastered (once the dangerous plaster/asbestos mix had been removed) while on the first floor, all the walls had been lime rendered.
“A lime specialist came and raked out the old lime before recoating them with three layers of horsehair and lime render in order to respect the original breathable construction of the building,” says Ben.
The original windows had been removed and replaced with cheap PVCU versions so Ben and Sam took these out and specified new timber sash windows handmade to fit on the front elevation.
“The kitchen and first floor bathroom casement windows, both at the rear of the house, are actually made from a high quality PVCU,” adds Ben. “You can barely tell the difference and we opted for them as they are lower maintenance and being so close to the sea this made sense.”
Incorporating modern features
On the ground floor the space has been remodelled to suit modern living requirements. The nonstructural wall separating the old downstairs WC from the kitchen has been removed, allowing the kitchen to be extended by one and a half metres.
The original staircase, which had had its baluster boarded up (and covered in yet more asbestos) was retained and the spindles revealed and painted, while the false ceiling was taken down and the beams exposed and painted.
On the first floor were two good sized bedrooms, along with one very small bedroom and a tiny bathroom. Ben and Sam decided to sacrifice the single bedroom, removing the wall between it and the bathroom to create a large, luxurious bathroom.
Externally, the cob and stone walls have been repainted in a fresh white finish and the PVCU front door and sidelights removed.
“There was a small lobby between the front door and the door that led into the dining room,” explains Ben.we have taken away that lobby which has increased the space in the dining hall and reused the original studs from the old ‘inner’ front door for the door that now separates the kitchen and utility room.”
At the rear of the house, a retaining wall and fence have created a small, private seating/barbecue space. The once scruffy front garden has been transformed too and now comprises a porcelain paved seating area as well as a planted lawn space, both overlooking the pretty village green that first drew Ben and Sam to the property.
Hummingbird is now let out to lucky Cornish holiday makers (www.cornishgems.com), so
Ben and Sam rarely get the chance to stay there, although they plan on making the house their home in the future.
The basic shell of the house and its location meant anything was possible — we knew it could be great