THE GUEST-BEDROOM GARAGE

BUDGET £20,000 approximately

This self-contained barn next to the Cotswold home of interiors writer Kathy Hurst (@rocking_ the_cotswolds) looks as though it has always been there, but is in fact a new structure, built to replace a dilapidated shed. It houses a double garage with a charging point for an electric car below, and a studio room for visiting guests above, with a bathroom and kitchenette.

The structure is made from concrete blocks, clad with Cotswold stone on the front and cedar on the sides and back. It was built by Hurst’s father and brother, and her husband, which saved on labour costs. She also kept to a tight budget by using prefabricated roof timbers and shopping around for the doors, which came from Jeld-wen. ‘We splashed out on things like the lead work around the dormers, the roof tiles and the bespoke iron staircase at the side leading up to the studio,’ says Hurst, ‘but they’re things that, for me, really help create the look we wanted. My dad did the lion’s share of the work on it shortly before he died, so it has such an emotional resonance for me. I hope he’d be very happy to see how nicely it sits here now.’

Clockwise from left Hurst outside Baba’s barn – named after her father; the studio apartment above the garages; the bespoke iron staircase; the old shed, which they replaced