I guess I have about 1000 new pics from the last two months with 5 houses still to shoot! We have everything from thatched stone cottages to contemporary single storey homes. But the latest house was this fantastic manor house, completed only this spring if you can believe it - and so I thought I would share straight away. The new landscaping is wonderful and the house has already started to settle and 'breathe', which is one of the advantages of using lovely natural materials. I hope you like it.
The front elevation is a classic Border Oak manor house design - two gables, double storey porch, jettied overhangs, end chimney etc etc.
The rear elevation is particularly lovely - with three even sized gables and the bay window and garden room creating interest and projection - and softening the length of the house.
Lots of large windows help make the interior light and connect to the garden beyond.
Lots more windows - but still proportional to the design
Oh and I have a new favourite feature - can you see that the porch has no door? It is an enclosed lobby, or vestibule, before you get to the actual front door.
A great place for wellies, logs, deliveries, carol singers, unwanted house guests.........
The mix of brick and oak also works here - the special brick we use and the mortar mix are just right to add texture without looking too twee.
And the clients have used brick internally too to break up the amount of oak
The garden room has no internal divide so the light floods into the kitchen and it makes one vast family space, leading onto the new lawn.
beyond this split door is the utility room and boot room
The landing is HUGE - but light and practical too. Can you see that the walk way os wider than average? It helps makes sense of the scale and anything less would have looked mean.
Sweet box room over the vestibule.
And if you were a kid, can you think of anything better than a hidden platform accessed by a ladder. My children will be very jealous. under the platform is a walk in wadrobe/cupboard and ensuite.
Some rooms are vaulted and others have flat ceilings so the loft can also be used for accommodation. Too many vaulted rooms might actually dilute the feature so a mix is good and also adds architectural interest as you move through the space.
and finally a shower large enough for a rugby team (well a junior rugby team, not full sized obviously)
I really really like this house, it feels spacious but not all all pretentious or unnecessary. It has a fun, lighthearted and family orientated feel (they have a juke box in the kitchen - so must throw excellent parties) and it is already looking as if it has always been there.
They were a great family to work for and this somehow translates into the finished product I feel. The craftsmanship, construction work and materials are all spot on - as is the design - so all in all a great home for really great clients - we all hope they will be very very happy there.
