Welcome to my home
“It was a huge project but worth the pain to create a unique home”
THE PROPERTY
A Grade Ii-listed, 17thcentury farmhouse and stable in Berkhamsted, which have been combined to create a large family home.
VALUE: Bought in 2017 for £895,000. It’s now worth £1.7m.
We found this Grade Ii-listed, 17thcentury farmhouse, with an adjacent stable, in a quiet location on the outskirts of Berkhamstead,’ says Danielle. ‘It was quirky and full of period character and had potential to attach the main house to the stable, creating an open plan living space. We had no way of knowing whether English Heritage would agree the planning permission, so it was a bit of a risky purchase!’
Working with local architect David Cook, the couple drew up plans to link the two buildings. ‘Our first submission had a tiled, pitched roof attached to the gable, but this was turned down because the conservation officer thought light from the roof would be intrusive to the houses behind. It was a massive setback, but our architect had the idea of a simple, stainless-steel roof and structure connecting the buildings, but with clear visual separation between them, and importantly, minimum impact on the original architecture. This time the plans got the go-ahead, which was a huge relief.’
The modern stainless-steel and glass structure that links the main house to the stable houses a large, open-plan kitchen and dining area, connecting to the snug and through to the main living room. ‘Part of our agreement with English Heritage was to honour the history of the building. We retained the original brick floors and stable doors, which are now a beautiful feature. In addition, we exposed the original beams and fitted reclaimed oak floors throughout; they sit perfectly alongside the original features. We have created a completely unique home, one that copes with the demands of modern day living, but that is packed full of period charm and character. We’re so proud of the end result.’
Kitchen
‘The snug area to the side of the extension connects to the kitchen and dining area, where you can sit and relax but still feel part of the action.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES For similar bar chairs, try Preston Gold bar chairs, £199 for two, Beliani
Kitchen
‘The kitchen was self-designed and then built by local joinery company, Adroit Workshops. We chose the grey colour as we felt it worked with the brick.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES Cabinetry spray painted in Ral Anthracite Grey 7016 wood paint, £40 for 2.5ltr, Thorn down. Ice White quartz worktop, £327sq m, Mayfair Granite
Upstairs landing
The natural wooden beaded chandelier hanging on the landing looks striking against the original beams and reclaimed floorboards.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls painted in Skimming Stone estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Try the Luna wooden beaded chandelier, £165, The Pendant Lighting Company
Living room
‘We panelled the whole room and sand-blasted the original beams to leave the natural finish, filling the room with warmth and character.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Caden Cane Grey velvet armchair, £725, Graham and Green. The Eli pure cotton embroidered cushion, £25, M&S, would work here
Bedroom divider
‘Along with the brick floor we had to keep the wooden horse stall dividers in the stable. Some weren’t salvageable, but the rest we refashioned into a wall which separates the bedroom from the en suite.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES For similar barn doors, try Deephaven pine sliding door, £335, Wayfair. The Granary reclaimed wood bench, £220, Rust Collections at Notonthehighstreet.com, is a match
Living room
‘Exposing the original wooden beams has created a beautiful, standout feature.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES For a similar sofa, try the Large Slowcoach sofa in Walnut beaten leather, £2,545, Loaf. Panelling painted in Studio Green estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Bloomingville Yellow tassel cushion, £48.50, Trouva
“We assumed we’d have a huge kitchen in the stable space, but the architect talked us into using part of it as a guest bedroom and bathroom ”
Guest bathroom
A sculpted basin, brushed brass taps and delicate mirror look so pretty here.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Lefroy Brooks La Chapelle basin, £390, Fountain Direct. Crosswater Union mixer tap with wheels in brushed brass, £662, Drench, is similar. Kasbah mirror, £95, Cox and Cox
Guest bathroom
The guest bathroom used to be a large cupboard. A window was added and the beautiful beams were revealed when plasterboard was removed.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Millbrook cast iron bath, £925, The Cast Iron Bath Company; painted in Paean Black estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
Master bedroom
The couple removed a wall which separated the room from a narrow corridor at the back of the house. That space was used to build fitted wardrobes, and the old landing for a en suite.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Emilia deep buttoned king-size bed, £2,355, And So To Bed. Cushion covers in Light Pink, £1.75 each, Ikea
WHAT I’VE LEARNED “I found decision making a challenge. I was scared to get anything wrong, especially when it came to the big expensive items. However, I decided to follow my gut instinct, and that has paid off ”
En suite
‘I wanted to keep this bathroom as rustic as possible. The walls are formed from the stable divider and the original bricks.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Marseille Cyprium copper tub, £3,995, The Cast Iron Bath Company. Red Marl hammam towel, £18, Effortless Trading