tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54902954990136454432024-03-12T19:02:45.060-07:00from little acorns.........all things house, home and oakmerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-3009285705895575092014-04-23T15:17:00.002-07:002014-04-23T15:17:58.742-07:00more of the cottage renovationHere are the latest pics of the Victorian cottage we are restoring in Pembridge.<br />
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This was the exterior back wall - now a huge opening to the new extension - all the brick work has been plastered and painted - an RSJ was inserted to create such a wide opening, but it was important that the new section was part of the kitchen and not just an addition.<br />
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the photo on the left is the old kitchen, soon to be new kitchen. The photo on the right is the new bit, with roof lights flooding the old and new space with light.<br />
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leading from the kitchen is the stairs which have been stripped and painted. The walls of the landing were de-plastered, insulated & re-plastered.</div>
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the second bedroom has also been re-plastered and all the woodwork painted. The bathroom (right) has a new stud wall, but other than that is still a 'work in progress'.</div>
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The main bedroom is lovely- very sunny and quite generous. I love the windows and window detail - Border Oak at our finest, if I do say so myself! We did consider saving the floor boards but they were too patched and so carpet is the way forward.<br />
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Window detail downstairs before painting - the moulding and beading a very delicious.</div>
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The new oak lean to extension will have French doors to the garden..........<br />
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and this is what you will find just beyond the garden..........(not Gabriel - the church!) We have replaced the rotten B&Q fencing panels with woven oak panels and there is a handcrafted oak gate to fill the gap.<br />
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Side of the extension is weatherboarded and painted</div>
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Stairs from the extension, towards the front door - you should get a view from the front door straight to the church beyond.<br />
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The Cottage has a pretty remarkable location - you can literally see the pub, medieval market hall, the village shop, the school, the church and rolling fields from the windows and are just a few footsteps from a network of really great footpaths, but yet away from the main road.<br />
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Sitting room is pretty much complete - just a few bits to do. And the view from the front door to the new bit gives you a glimpse of the oak frame.<br />
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The garden is now ready for planting<br />
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The porch is complete - apart from the under boarding<br />
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So the externals are virtually complete - lighting, landscaping and a few odds and sods to complete<br />
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And now the tiles are down in the hall, kitchen and extension - looking amazing for not much money (about £15 a square metre)<br />
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The carpenters are back today to fit the French Doors and finish the T&G boarding, hang the internal doors, add bits of skirting etc. The Kitchen comes in May and Bathroom is already delivered. Probably a month or so of work to do and so I think I will leave the updates now until the completed reveal......complete with before and after pics!</div>
merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-55753117168934610572014-03-31T12:51:00.003-07:002014-03-31T12:51:54.902-07:00The end result<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So the NEC Homebuilding Show is over for another year. Here are some pics of our stand - a 4.5m x 10m hand crafted, cruck framed barn style structure full of lovely pictures, old fashioned printing press posters (my new obsession) rustic/industrial lights and possibly the best sofas ever.<div>
<br />We also re erected the garden room originally exhibited at RHS Chelsea - both the garden structure and barn are now for sale - £5000 for the garden building (would normally be in excess of £10,000 and has oak joinery) and £15,000 for the barn (would usually be £30,000). And we also have last years stand for sale - a gorgeous one and half storey oak barn (5m x 10m) which is a bargain at £15,000 (worth about £40,000!!) Clearance Bargains of an extraordinary nature - for more details contact Border Oak.</div>
merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-9511648850341813452014-03-19T06:51:00.001-07:002014-03-19T06:51:12.732-07:00IT'S SHOWTIME!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This will be a super quick blog post........we are crazy busy getting ready for the National Homebuilding & Renovating Show at the NEC next week. If you haven't got tickets yet please call the office for free e tickets 01568 708 752.</div>
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Anyway, we have a completely new stand thus year which is both thrilling and nerve-wracking. So many things to order and plan for a frame that you haven't seen.......</div>
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We have had a few ideas and hope to meet as many of you there as possible to chat about self build and how Border Oak might be able to help.</div>
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One of our more frivolous/fun ideas includes making posters of the delicious quotes about Border Oak from the TV shows that have featured our houses recently - Grand Designs, Restoration Man and Building the Dream</div>
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And printing new postcards and new brochures</div>
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We have new designs to showcase, new products and new photos to display as well as a lot of new furniture to share.....come and flop on our gorgeous new sofas if your legs get a little weary.</div>
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And a quick cottage update......new windows are in<br />
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Extension is being weatherboarded<br />
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Garden walls and steps have been built and lime rendered<br />
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The interior has now been insulated and also plaster boarded<br />
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A timber stud wall has been erected to take a radiator (rads a right nuisance I have discovered - underfloor heating is miles easier!)<br />
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And the windows have all been glazed and completed<br />
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Next week the extension is glazed and uncovered<br />
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And I had better start thinking of planting the garden.......maybe after the show though??<br />
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If Border Oak were to keep the cottage and offer it for holiday lets would any of you be keen to hire it? It is within a few metres of an award winning shop and tea room and so hot croissants and fancy coffee would literally be on your doorstep, if that helps persuade you? Would love to know if there was interest in a holiday let such as this as it might mean changing the plans for furniture etc. <br />
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But anyway - see you at the show!!merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-13648571724961692122014-03-02T06:50:00.000-08:002014-03-02T06:50:00.645-08:00another cottage updateSo work is cracking on with the Victorian Cottage renovation - it is getting to the exciting part now.<br />
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So not much has changed in the sitting room - although the electricians and plumber have no started 'chasing out' to hide all the wires and pipes. We are complete re wiring and have installed central heating, new boiler (there wasn't one) and connected to mains gas. Boring jobs but essential.<br />
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The new extension has a screed floor now, which is level with the existing floor - so feels a part of the old kitchen, not so much an 'add on'. We made the opening as wide as possible (hence the red steel) so that it gave a feeling of being all one room.<br />
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The DeVol kitchen (www.devolkitchens.co.uk) has been ordered and will run along the old brick wall (where the yellow cable is) and in an 'L' shape across the back. We have kept it simple and streamlined which means we don't have any wall cupboards and therefore have limited storage and so will look our for an old battered cupboard/armoire to go in the new bit to hold glasses, plates etc etc. I am having a deep shelf along the entire width of the brick wall and three reclaimed metal factory lights as feature lighting.<br />
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The bathroom is taking shape - we have shortened the window so the loo can sit underneath without exposing yourself to church goers. And the big immersion heater cupboard is out so there is room for a bath. The basin will stay in this location (above)<br />
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The porch - this photo was taken before the roof was tiled - makes a huge difference to the look of the house but also the feel of it. So simple and yet so effective, and it looks as if it has always been there.<br />
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The extension is now tiled and with three roof lights so the next stage is fitting the joinery.<br />
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The external landscaping is also coming on - this is what you will see from the new extension and the upstairs (and others will see it from the back) and so will hopefully become a little sun trap and also good for wildlife and generally prettier. I'm thinking viburnum, white cosmos, Japanese amenomes, buxus, olive trees etc. The location of the cottage is wonderful - beyond the orange netting is the church yard and a little path to Pembridge's fantastic shop and tea room. And from the front steps you are literally stumbling distance from the New Inn..........</div>
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New front door - I was thinking of painting this very dark, inky brown or dark grey but for now it is the Border Oak pale greeny/grey. Might get brave and experiment once it has been fitted.<br />
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And here are the beautiful replacement windows - exquisitely detailed with curved and lipped mouldings - ready for glass and Border Oak's blacksmith made hinges. The windows have been hand made locally by Border Oak's wonderful joiner and have been painted in situ (all of these windows are different because the windows they replace are all different. We couldn't use 'of the shelf'). The other clever thing (and I can't take the credit for this) is that we are getting the glass fitted before the windows are installed so that we don't have to use scaffolding - less expensive and easier too. Like I say - I can't take the credit for ideas like this as the project manager, Mark, is doing all the brain work on this job - but that is exactly why the Border Oak project managers are so valuable to any project - they bring so much experience, knowledge, practical skills and forward planning, and much of this you won't even know they have done for you. I know for a fact that I couldn't do all the creative stuff without someone taking control of the actual work.<br />
More updates to follow but also some planning news, show news, brochure news and new project news coming soon.merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-4291116281744290872014-02-10T10:12:00.002-08:002014-02-10T10:12:33.475-08:00cottage renovation update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Work has been racing ahead on the cottage renovation this week</div>
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Upstairs is now completely cleared and ready for electrics, radiators, patch plastering, carpets etc (but the windows need to be fitted first)</div>
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The windows are being made by hand and then painted at Border Oak before being installed next week, if the weather holds</div>
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I was going to retain the floor boards (painted white) but most of them are patched and also there are a few holes.......so we are now going for seagrass upstairs.<br />
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the base for the extension was installed last week, in between the showers/storms and to be able to do this we had to install new drains and also move the electric metre (both of which are a bit of a nuisance and also expensive - but hey ho it needed doing)<br />
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And then on Friday I popped round to measure up a fence.........and opened the front door to discover this! A great big hole in the wall (don't panic - it is supposed to be there).<br />
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The amount of light that now floods through is incredible - when I took these pics it was a dark,dank day but the new kitchen space is remarkably bright.<br />
It also makes a huge difference to see the church beyond straight from the front door<br />
Everything feels so much larger too.<br />
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So, the sink will be where the yellow tubing is - the cooker will sit on the wall with the concrete blocks<br />
It is a really great space now, and so much easier to see how the space will work as an actual house. Before you had to go into the sitting room to be able to get to the back door via the corridor like kitchen. Now we have a hallway leading to a generous kitchen which looks onto the garden and the church, with full length glass and an independent sitting room.<br />
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So this is from the sink area to the stairs<br />
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The garden and the church beyond - just thinking of some landscaping ideas at the moment<br />
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Upstairs the old water cylinder cupboard has come out giving us some more room to play with<br />
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And then this afternoon I drop in to see what else I needed to organise and saw that the extension was pretty much up! It looks brilliant and it is quite exciting to see the volume of the space that will be created by something so simple.<br />
It is also exciting to see that oak framing really does go with everything!<br />
New windows next week and then the fun can begin inside.<br />
Better crack on with bathrooms and kitchens and flooring and lighting and paint colours.........<br />
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<br /><br />merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-60543236206245650292014-01-13T02:11:00.001-08:002014-01-13T02:11:20.274-08:00a few pics of the officeAs well as the Victorian cottage renovation in Pembridge, a new oak framed house build in Kingsland and a new build cottage in Weobley (blogs about those coming soon) that I am working on (not to mention my own planning application from Hell - which rumbles on slowly and darkly without any sign of conclusion - hmpfff!) I have decided to think about a 'revamp' of the Border Oak offices and meeting rooms. Nothing major, just a few tweaks here and there.<br />
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We love meeting people at the offices and showing them what we do, and almost every day someone new will say 'what a lovely place to work - aren't you lucky to have such a nice environment?' but it is all too easy to forget about the spaces we take for granted - it has been years since many the rooms have had any love or attention. Some parts are already lovely (but could be made even more lovely), however some spaces need a complete makeover.......for example laminate floors that have come to end of their natural life, toilets that have no idea it is 2014, a sitting room that feels a bit like a posh doctors waiting room (if you ignore the huge stash of vodka behind the sofa!)<br />
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Inspired by places I have visited recently - such as The Wild Rabbit in Kingham and the new cinema in Hay on Wye (amazing place) I have come up with a few ideas. But I have also been browsing for inspiration on Pinterest which is my current favourite way of wasting time. Such a shame that you can't take the laptop into the bath to stalk other people Pinterest pages.<br />
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Anyway - here are some of the rooms that are works in progress or in need of tweaking. Your thoughts and ideas are always welcome and appreciated. Apologies for the quality of photos - I really must try harder!<br />
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And the good thing about writing a blog like this is that I now have to actually do the work because you will all knw about it - and I also get to blog about the finished article (when it is finished, which might be some time - but I am building three houses, designing a new website, three new brochures and trying to garner support for the rebuilding of a huge oak market hall so it's not as if I am lazing in bath looking at Pinterest.)<br />
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The 'sign in' desk - very difficult to see how this can be altered without contravening some Health and Safety code. Quick question - how come we have to sign everyone in and out but if you go into a shop or restaurant etc you don't need to do anything?<br />
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I'm thinking, paint, new furniture, hang new pictures..........</div>
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But we have kept the Christmas wreaths up - made from Herefordshire Hops and filling the space perfectly (and also they are so dry that if you even breathe on them the hops vapourise - so we won't be touching them unless we have to!)<br />
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Aforementioned waiting room - big changes afoot here. New everything I think.......<br />
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.......which means we may have three gorgeous sofas for sale<br />
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'kitchen' all look ok, maybe some new props need and a bit of a de clutter.<br />
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But here are our new store cabinets and display area in the meetings room. All working well and looking good.<br />
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But it is probably time to get some new furniture especially as I think some other oak frame makers have copied these - and it all gets a bit confusing if we don't look distinctively 'Border Oak'<br />
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Loving the new radiator under the big window - industrial looking and electric and the only source of heating in the whole office apart from the wood burner - pretty impressive considering the main building is nearly 35 years old and not built to anywhere near current insulation standards.<br />
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here is the infamous laminate that was hastily installed in the 1990's but now looks as if it was hastily installed in the 1990's.<br />
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And the loos that will soon be achingly cool........<br />
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.......well, slightly more cool than this.<br />
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merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-86919408331043237682014-01-02T13:53:00.002-08:002014-01-02T13:53:46.491-08:00a christmas filler blog<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Just a quick post to wish you all a Happy New Year. I'm planning some changes to the blog in the coming months - to fit in with the new website and brochures so won't write a long post today. </div>
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But here are just a few of Christmas 2013 to bridge the gap until the new layouts etc are ready. </div>
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We had a lovely Christmas at home and I wish I had taken better pics of all the bits and bobs but </div>
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in no particular order we have:</div>
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A reluctant shepherd</div>
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A marzipan snowman, pear and satsuma (made by Minerva)</div>
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A polar bear </div>
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A glass walrus</div>
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Liberty print bows</div>
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A paper machier pig</div>
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A toilet roll snowman</div>
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The fireplace - the night before Christmas</div>
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A real star fish (or two)</div>
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A dog in a hat</div>
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a small wreath</div>
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an advent calendar</div>
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a big heart wreath</div>
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and Minerva's first attempt at wrapping (after which she declared - "I have found my talent!")</div>
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And now it is 2014 I am really excited about what is to come!</div>
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<br />merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-19783731320939748092013-11-30T09:30:00.000-08:002014-01-02T12:48:37.148-08:00Border Oak Cottage <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I thought you might like to see the photographs of a fantastic Border Oak cottage taken a few months ago. A bespoke Border Oak classic design - combining some elements of Pearmain Cottage with exposed oak framing, brickwork and weatherboard, and the fabulous oak porch to complete the look.</div>
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Mr W, the owner, first contacted Border Oak many years (and many self build shows) ago when the project was to be more of a batchelor pad for a successful, young graphic designer. But the future Mrs W soon came into the picture and the cottage now really represents the very happiest of 'happy-ever-afters' - a beautiful new home to begin married life. I hope many many lovely memories are created here - Mr and Mrs W deserve it after all the hard work and energy that they have lavished on this pretty home.</div>
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An external boiler or air source heat pump?<br />
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Love the punch of colour coming from the fridge and the light<br />
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maintaining a 'view through' always helps a cottage feel larger - enabling you to see from one end of the house to another<br />
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ground floor bathroom<br />
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A vaulted ceiling - what oak framing does best.<br />
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I love shots of the stairs like this</div>
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One of the two spare rooms - just shows that contemporary design and oak framing still work well<br />
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The bath is modern, but with a lovely organic shape so not harsh or gimmicky - and it very cleverly allows you to see a lot of floor and therefore makes the room feel spacious. The pillar tap also means two people can share the bath without one person ending up with the tap end.<br />
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A really great self build project by the owners, with an immaculate finish and excellent attention to detail - I hope you like it too.<br />
<br />merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-51588475629078217322013-11-28T15:35:00.000-08:002013-11-28T15:35:14.194-08:00so this is what we have done so far at the cottage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
just a quickie to give you a progress update........</div>
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exposed brickwork - isn't it lovely<br />
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perhaps a bit black in places?<br />
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But already it looks better<br />
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carpets have been ripped out - I was debating keeping the floor boards exposed, but there are quite a lot of holes......<br />
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there's a hole<br />
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bathroom - GONE!<br />
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kitchen cleared out<br />
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sitting room door blocked up<br />
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so you can now see from the kitchen to the front door - light, spacious and oh so simple<br />
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and you can see from the front door to the back garden - which will be even more dramatic once the rear extension is built<br />
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the only way to the kitchen was through the sitting room - not any more!<br />
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but this is where the big change is - look how much space we have discovered - I won't tell you what else we discovered though......<br />
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<br />And it will be worth all the upheaval when you realise that this is the view you could wake up to - gorgeous!<br />
oh and there is a post about some oak framing coming next - seemed sensible to include a bit of wood given that we flog oak frames?<br />
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good night!merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-24196068914428512932013-11-26T14:06:00.001-08:002013-11-26T14:06:14.446-08:00A little job on the side<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i12tqWOb_NY/UpUFe_zSpxI/AAAAAAAAB74/D0IaGr_6oGQ/s1600/IMG_2617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i12tqWOb_NY/UpUFe_zSpxI/AAAAAAAAB74/D0IaGr_6oGQ/s400/IMG_2617.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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So while we wait (and wait and wait and wait.......) to hear about the planning application I have decided to keep myself busy. It would be very easy to become obsessed with the soap opera that the application has become, but we really are trying to 'rise above' the endless, relentless to- ing and fro- ing and carry on with life as best we can. And it just so happens that I have the perfect distraction pretty much on my doorstep.</div>
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Let me introduce you to Court House Cottage - an unloved little gem of a house, sitting in the very heart of Medieval Pembridge (literally sandwiched by the medieval market hall and church)</div>
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CHC (I am so lazy!) is a brick cottage, Victorian semi detached and empty for several years. My Dad bought it (well, strictly speaking I bought it for him while he was on holiday - he had never been inside) last summer. It was a pretty quick purchase because it was repossessed but it was so close, had potential and was in a fab location we decided to take it on despite the general 'run down-ness' and neglect it showed.</div>
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We applied for planning for an oak porch and teeny tiny oak extension to the rear - as well as replacing the doors and windows, interior alterations and a some landscaping. Luckily there were no objections (I think everyone living near by was keen for it to be restored, and lived in once again- it really lets the village down, like a broken tooth in an otherwise shiny smile) and planning approval was actually fairly quick.</div>
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There are some lovely details - such as this inset hand engrave stone name plaque</div>
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and there are some not very lovely features, such as the carpet, front door and pointless tiny vestibule thingy which makes you feel breathless with claustrophobia.</div>
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We debated keeping the kitchen as it is - just replacing the cabinet doors.......I'm joking.<br />
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Seriously - why two washing machines?<br />
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S<span style="text-align: justify;">o, just to try and explain - the front door leads to nowhere, but you can turn right to the sitting room (which then leads onto the kitchen), or left to......the under stairs cupboard (the closed door in the photo above). Yes the doors are reminiscent of a university halls or residence and the walls have been painted in that distinctive ointment pink usually only sold to Village Hall Committees or council run nursing homes</span><br />
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But there is a reasonable 'with potential' fireplace and wood burner<br />
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And a shed load of stuff that the repossession company didn't want. Nor did the hospice charity shop.<br />
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A better photo of the aforementioned excuse for a door - which makes me think.....presumably there were Victorian doors here at some point, so whose clever idea was it to take them out and put these godforsaken little numbers in. I just hoped you flogged the originals for lots of money.<br />
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The orange/brown and white colour scheme is loyally retained through out, as the perfect compliment to the oinment pink. Free Tip - it is unnecessary to match your lino to your back door.</div>
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I know - it does look like something bad has happened in here. Apologies for those sensitive to dreadful interior design.<br />
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But the stairs are solid and will paint up a treat - imagine a lovely greeny grey, or maybe moley brown for a change, paint with a jute stair runner..........<br />
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but, things start to look up when you see the view from the stair window.....and this bit of land over the lane came with the cottage.......mmmmm, 'potential' I think is the word?<br />
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Main bedroom is big with lovely high ceilings and doesn't need much more than a bit of patch plastering, painting, new carpet, new window, new electrics/lights, new radiator, new door.......oh, that actually sounds like quite a lot of work when I list it all. Thanks goodness I am chief list maker and not the actual person 'doing'.<br />
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the view down the stairs- showing the window that is half stairway/half under stairs cupboard. Weird.<br />
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The back of the house - taken from the church yard - just to give you a reprieve from the internals, even I was getting depressed looking at those.<br />
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But here's a funny story (not that funny, more semi amusing). The bathroom cleverly picks up the pink theme once again, and I'm sure I am not being a snob by saying that pink suites are pretty undesirable? If you had the chance you really wouldn't buy one or install one would you? So how come, when this little beauty was stuffed in the skip, someone came under the cover of darkness and stole the big pink bath - driving off at high speed with the pink plastic hanging out the back of their car?!! Very odd (especially as if they had asked during daylight hours, the builders would have helped load it). Now I want to know where it is and what it is being used for. And why, oh why, did they leave the poor matching sink and moulded vanity splash back with special spaces for the toothbrushes??<br />
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green carpet in the bathroom - hmmmm</div>
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The spare room is a good size, and doesn't need much work, but it does have the best view of the house - the church and detached bell tower. Gorgeous.<br />
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A random loft hatch shot to show the height of the ceilings<br />
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And finally a turquoise carpet. I have no more to say.<br />
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Anyway - as you can see I have a bit of a project on my hands. Work started last week, and already the transformation is underway. I will post the current photos in a few days, but don't worry the carpets and doors went the same way as the pink bath - into the skip. Funnily enough nobody came to collect these.....merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-19099865680626767962013-09-16T02:37:00.002-07:002013-09-16T02:37:34.918-07:00Herefordshire Art week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Each Sept Herefordshire comes alive with creative ideas, open studios, exhibitions and sales, under the collective HArt week. If you were driving through the county you would see the bright pinks signs everywhere, directing you to the arty little studios and interesting exhibition spaces.</div>
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One of my favorites to visit is Discoed Church - where the quality of building is matched by the standard of art work for sale. Quite incredible really and very inspirational.</div>
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I almost bought this painting (above) of a lovely church interior - in water colour and pen. It is by Simon Dorrel and we have another painting of his that we bought a few years ago at the same exhibition (it covers our heating control box perfectly!)<br />
But as his prices have doubled (eeek!) we couldn't really justify the purchase.....we are still sort of hoping that we need to keep saving in case we build another house.....but that is another story!<br />
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I also really liked all of these painting - and for prices between £80 - 120 I thought they were very reasonable. But Ben wasn't with me so I couldn't make a decision and left without them sadly.<br />
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But I also love the surroundings, including this porch and the ancient yew tree in the church yard<br />
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And next door to the church is this house, restored, rebuilt and extended. It is quite wonderful.<br />
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And the barn next to the house was open for HArt week too - John Nethercotts HQ - and he had some lovely bits on display, including these benches and oak bowls<br />
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But I loved this old oak chair that was sitting outside next to some onions with a fabulous stone wall behind - I don't think it was for sale.<br />
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I only had my iphone so this pic is terrible - but the barn had an open section in the middle which gave not only shelter and space, but also provided a glimpse through to the landscape either side. <br />
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A rusty old handrail caught my eye<br />
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especially when juxtaposed with the modern glass and steel main door<br />
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Another lovely old chair that had been weathered<br />
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And some good Herefordshire stone work<br />
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I love the stone and gutter but also the little window with a stone lintel and sloping slate (and who would have thought a fig tree would prosper on a windy welsh hill?)<br />
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And what did I actually buy at HArt week???</div>
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A hand thrown mug of coursemerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-45860099710206042852013-08-27T03:24:00.001-07:002013-08-27T03:24:12.235-07:00ha! finally got back into the blogOK - sorry for the silence. I have no excuses. I forgot my password to access the blog - so changed it, to something I thought I would remember, but then promptly forgot the second password (I confused it with my Zara password, which is different to the Paypal password, my work password, Facebook password, Smile banking password etc etc). Silly really.<br />
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But I have also been very busy with lots of other projects such as an exciting new brochure, Gabriel about to start school, new projects at work, holidays by the sea and oh, just the little matter of our planning application. If only it was a little matter........<br />
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I wish I could tell you all about the planning app now - but as it is still live on Herefordshire Council's website and not all the consultation has been received I think it best to try and let it run through the process and reach a conclusion before I start gabbling on. All I will say is that it has turned out to be unexpectedly and extremely stressful and upsetting - but also a valuable 'life lesson' that I think will be a positive in the long run (cryptic eh?) For every dark moment there have been an equal number of silver linings (and lovely ones at that), which are all the more touching when you feel that everything is going wrong. It is so easy to get bogged down by a negative minority, but I am trying to remember that the phrase 'those who shout the loudest' has never been more important than now. And as I have a long memory I will make sure that I use everything I have learnt during this episode and turn all the negatives into good energy somewhere along the line.<br />
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I promise that I will give you a lot more detail and the whole run down as soon as the application is decided - one way or another. Unless you all really want to hear about it now.........???<br />
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Anyway, enough about me - I really wanted to share these photos with you. We all really love this at the office.<br />
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It's a great extension project we completed last year, a large vaulted oak framed room added to a beautiful flint, oak and brick house (listed of course) in a fantastic conservation area village. It has already won a LABC award and a Conservation Award which is exciting and a just reward for the hard work and vision of the owner.<br />
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I really admire the 'soft' approach chosen to link the two structures - it is an engineered glass link that leaves the original host building unaltered and visually obvious, but is still practical and allows light to flood in.<br />
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A wide opening connects the two structures and gives a simple contemporary feel whilst respecting the older structure and showcasing the craftsmanship of the new.</div>
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The fire and 'electronics' are hidden into niches which reduce the clutter and are a neat and modern approach that I will be stealing - sorry 'borrowing' - one day.</div>
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I really like this project and hope you do too - in many ways it reminds me of a certain design currently in the planning process...........</div>
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PS we have just heard that another of our projects will be filmed by Channel 4 for the next series of Building the Dream (the first hasn't aired yet, but we have a few houses on there in one way or another) very exciting! Here is the link to the blog being written by the client. Can't wait to watch the house grow</div>
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http://www.fortyacresbuild.blogspot.co.uk</div>
merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-26174849053415854002013-06-14T04:29:00.002-07:002013-06-14T04:29:45.683-07:00weatherboarded oak cottage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Do you remember this lovely house I mentioned a few weeks ago? Well, I just realised that I haven't ever uploaded the gorgeous interior shots! So here they are - with a few externals to give you a better feel for the gorgeous house and setting.</div>
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Have a great weekend</div>
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what a view...........G &T on the upper terrace darling?<br />
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<br />merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-45029731809077323952013-06-10T02:42:00.002-07:002013-06-10T02:42:50.283-07:00A Herefordshire Farmhouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to spend the day styling some pics of a house Border Oak built for some good pals of mine. It was a lovely day - not least because little Hugo was a charmer, (and ever so handsome) but also because the house was so easy to photograph and the owners were so helpful and chilled.</div>
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It is a house with just the right balance of character and detail, without being pastiche or contrived. Being a mixture of handmade brick, oak and render it also sits well in the plot and will weather beautifully. We tried to capture the blend of materials and the play of light across the facade of the house but it is hard to do in a photo - but it was very atmospheric.</div>
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If there was a way to describe the internal atmosphere of each house I would try to put it into words on the blog because it is these unique atmospheres that give each Border Oak house their own personality. The best I can come up with for this beautiful farmhouse is 'happy, relaxed and home' - which are feelings I would hope to emulate if I was to build another house for my family.........</div>
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Set into a slight dip, the house is completely hidden away. It is in a pretty and small village in Herefordshire where Border Oak have been lucky enough to build 5 houses over the past few years.<br />
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I love the weather boarded 'lean to' on the side with the stable door<br />
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3 of our 4 project managers were bricklayers in previous lives and so exceptional brick work is one of Border Oak's specialities!<br />
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The kitchen is a really great space - wide and long and with lots of exposed oak and windows. At one end there are some sofas and Hugo's play area.<br />
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The hallway is open to the sitting room so you get a sense of space as soon as you enter<br />
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The house is a mixture of oak framing and SIPs - the sitting room is the SIPs part, so the oak frame is simplified here. A great idea for displaying photos over the lintel<br />
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The utility room uses the same units as the kitchen so the flow between the two rooms is seamless<br />
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I really liked the floor coverings too</div>
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The master bedroom is above the sitting room and with windows either side it was bright and spacious<br />
with just enough oak to give architectural features<br />
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Hugo was the best model ever</div>
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The family bathroom</div>
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The en suite shower room</div>
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and finally......the cutest photo of the day</div>
merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-76424979077009468982013-05-10T10:12:00.002-07:002013-05-10T10:12:15.519-07:00A weather boarded cottage in the Welsh hillsIt has been another crazy week - but all good fun.<br />
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I spent a wonderful day with a lovely client taking photos of her Border Oak home - built just over the Welsh border.<br />
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Now, styling photo shoots can be surprisingly stressful and tiring, although I have no idea why when the most you have to do is plump some cushions and arrange some flowers (well, there is a bit more too it, but its not exactly taxing). And sometimes the day is so rushed that you can't really stop to enjoy it all.<br />
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This particular day was not looking promising with the kind of weather that makes you want to emigrate and some flowers that died overnight. However our photographer has pulled proverbial magic trick out of the hat (I can't remember the exact metaphor) and the results are stunning.<br />
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And it has to be said that the main reason I had a good time, was the owner - who was lovely, accommodating, interesting/interested, a willing victim (no one likes having their photo taken after all) and also made us a yummy lunch (we usually scoff biscuits and crisps all day - this time we had quiche, salad, cake (hmmmmm!) and endless tea). But to top it off we were working with a great interior, a compliant dog (happy to be bribed with biscuits), three photogenic little people and an atmospheric back drop - complete with sheep and a stormy sky. Photo shoots don't get better than that!<br />
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Here are a few sneak pics, more to follow next week........<br />
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Based on a "Halfpenny Cottage" but weatherboarded. The solar panels heat water and the 'barn' type extension provides a lot of extra space.<br />
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<br />merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-5051409409845750332013-04-16T15:05:00.004-07:002013-04-16T15:05:39.159-07:00do you want to know what I have been up to?I know, I know - I am the worlds worst blogger.<br />
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There is a really good reason why I have been so quite - I promise - but I can't actually tell you anymore just yet. You will definitely be the first person I do tell though. It's quite exciting - but like all exciting journeys there is a gammut of hoops to jump through and roller coasters to ride before the good stuff starts.<br />
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So to keep you ticking over in a heightened sense of faux anticipation I will share with you a few other things:<br />
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Firstly a new design for a larger 'Artisan' type home - what do you think?<br />
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Secondly a link to my own pinterest boards - full of images I have seen and liked for one way or another</div>
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http://pinterest.com/merryminerva/</div>
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There is also a Border Oak pinterest site full of photos - have a look and repin if you have mood boards there too.</div>
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And thirdly some advance notice of new photos and news about a potential open day coming next week.</div>
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In the meantime I have two houses to style and photograph, an open day to organise, a cottage to renovate and two magazine articles to write (not to mention lobbying my local council against their proposed local plan and infrastructure levy, I won't bore you here)- all on top of the the Top Secret secret. No wonder I have no time to do the blog, let alone feed my children. </div>
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PS A correction/apology for the 'Delightful Cotswold Cottage' post I wrote about in March (the lovely house that featured in 25 Beautiful Homes). I should have included the clients website when I wrote about the cottage. A very talented and creative lady who makes beautiful handbags and accessories - please have a look at her website - <a href="http://www.miloandsaint.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, Arial; font-size: 15px;">www.miloandsaint.com</a> </div>
merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-84289639263854775242013-03-06T06:49:00.002-08:002013-03-06T06:49:59.457-08:00a delightful Cotswold Cottage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The other day I found myself walking the magazine aisles of my local Coop with not only time to spare but with out any tiddlers to supervise (me supervise them as opposed to me requiring supervision). </div>
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Now this is rare for three reasons:</div>
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1. I only go to the super market three or four times a year (and obviously Waitrose is my super market of choice <i>dahling</i>)</div>
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2. I always have a child or two (rarely three) with me and therefore I shop very quickly</div>
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3. I never have spare time - unless you count the time between 10pm and midnight when I start pottering and faffing.</div>
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So, there I was flicking through all the magazines that I wasn't going to spend any money on, but pretending that I was trying to decide which to buy, when I spotted a lovely cottage feature. 'Ooooh, thats a nice house and built to an exceptional standard,' I thought to myself (hopefully not out loud because that would sound pretencious?)</div>
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And would you believe it - the house in question was a beautiful Border Oak cottage! Ha!</div>
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Based on the Pearmain Cottage but faced in local stone rather than render, it really is a little gem. Here are the photos for you to judge, but I think you might quite like it.</div>
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Let me know what you think......</div>
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<br />merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-66714140944608798492013-01-16T14:36:00.000-08:002013-01-16T14:36:43.476-08:001, 2, 3 - yippee!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Twenty thirteen has started brilliantly - we came back to work after the chrimbo hols to find three national awards waiting for us - THREE!! The best part is that the awards are for three very different houses/projects, in three very different locations and awarded by three different judging panels for the Federation of Master Builders. These awards are nominated by the clients, who must have been especially complimentary because the FMB awards a designed to recognise exceptional workmanship and customer service. The entire Border Oak team were honoured, surprised and a little bit overwhelmed to do so well. We knew we had amazing customers, but now we have proof!</div>
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Award winner No 1 - Best New Build</div>
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Award Winner No. 2 - Best extension and renovation<br />
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Award Winner No 3 - Best New Build<br />
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There is also a lovely article in Homebuilding and Renovating - about a client who built a little holiday cottage - with other articles coming soon in The English Home and Build It. </div>
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<br />merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-63081359965953147372012-12-20T09:14:00.002-08:002012-12-20T09:14:38.624-08:00its beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....apart from the flooding and rain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is a pretty brick cottage from Herefordshire, with an oak frame inside - dressed for a Christmas photoshoot (in the sun) built by Border Oak for a client (this is her third Border Oak house) who has also just set up a lovely homewares company Milton &Manor <a href="http://www.miltonandmanor.co.uk/">(www.miltonandmanor.co.uk)</a>. Phew, that was a long sentence!</div>
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We took the pics in September, when the sun shone and shone<br />
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so we waited 'til dusk to get a 'seasonal' atmospheric photo of the externals - what do you think?<br />
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The interior is light, neutral and tactile. A large hall leads onto the traditional sitting room<br />
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With exposed oak framing throughout<br />
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From the kitchen you get a sneaky peak into the utility room<br />
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With a blind made from Milton and Manor fabric (our client has turned her lovely portfolio of sketches into a great range of fabrics and homewares after struggling to find the right interior products for her Border Oak homes)<br />
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The kitchen dining room leads onto a garden room area and a little study nook - the ultimate living space for a modern family I think. Spaces to cook, eat, sit, read and work but in one light, bright open room.<br />
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Milton and Manor have cushions, footstools, mugs, cards, fabric, bags, tea towels..............<br />
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and wrapping paper (see above and below)<br />
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A lovely oak post and brace to distinguish the 'zones' - works well as an architectural feature and for texture and interest<br />
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Simple shaker units and vintage accessories<br />
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And the best bit about styling a photoshoot is eating cake and drinking tea<br />
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Could it get any more cosy than this?<br />
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A clever little area created from the eaves over the garden room - great for grandchildren sleeping over<br />
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a lovely, simple and fresh bedroom with Milton and Manor cushions to add colour<br />
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a sweet and simple bathroom<br />
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and it really was a lovely sunny day as you can see from the light flooding in - we had a great couple of days dressing and shooting this beautiful Border Oak cottage for winter to share with you all.<br />
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I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas - best wishes, Merrymerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-33097592987830853772012-12-12T04:14:00.001-08:002012-12-12T04:14:42.826-08:00brrrrr...........it's frosty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I know the frost looks pretty but I can't help feeling sorry for all of our builders who are working in the chilly weather. I can only imagine how far away the sunny days of summer must feel to them, as I sit in my lovely and toasty cottage. I definitely appreciate the super insulation, underfloor heating, double glazing and wood burner of my Pearmain Cottage when things turn Arctic. </div>
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Here are a couple of photos taken yesterday of a farmhouse we are building in Herefordshire. A very handsome house I think - with great views all around. It should be finished within the next month or so - if they weather holds.</div>
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<br />merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-16565777359296910972012-11-11T13:35:00.002-08:002012-11-11T13:35:32.813-08:00beautiful oak garages and outbuildings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We have decided to extend our recent show offer until Christmas - 20% off all standard oak framed garages and outbuildings. To inspire you here are two 'standard' models - showing what a wonderful addition an oak framed outbuilding can be</div>
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standard model 2.2 with an attached logstore - this model doesn't always need planning approval as teh ridge height is less than 4m<br />
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We also built a bespoke potting shed directly next to the model 2.2 - although they appear to be joined in this photo.<br />
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We added a pretty dove cote to the end - available in different sizes and can be painted.<br />
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the log store is accessed from inside the garage - I thought this photo really illustrated the quality of our oak outbuildings - beautiful inside and out<br />
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detail of the oak post and braces<br />
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This is a standard model 4.3 - with half hipped roof and a room above<br />
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Aren't the piggies just wonderful?<br />
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The room above is access via this external staircase - stairs, doors, windows logstores etc can all be added to customise your building.<br />
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The room above is spacious and bright - plenty of space for a double bed and ensuite<br />
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and when the sofa bed is 'away' there is still room for table football<br />
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and to finish - the other angle of the potting shed and garage combo<br />
I'm just working on the new garages and outbuildings brochure and the 20% offer stands until we get the new brochure so order while you can - bargains this good are hard to come by!<br />
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More photos of our oak outbuildings and size/price info can be found at www.borderoak.com/outbuildings<br />
<br />merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-27417478955737759202012-09-26T06:32:00.004-07:002012-09-26T06:32:30.685-07:00oak framed manor house o I am sorry for the delay in posting any new images recently - we have commissioned so many photographs this summer that it will take a while for me to sort through, crop, edit and fiddle with them all. Some are needed for new brochures etc so I have to work quickly to meet deadlines - but there has also been a wide range of Self Build competitions that clients have been entering on our behalf so I had to get the professional images ready to be sent in with the entry forms. Fingers crossed for everyone who has entered.<br />
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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.<br />
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The front elevation is a classic Border Oak manor house design - two gables, double storey porch, jettied overhangs, end chimney etc etc.<br />
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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.<br />
Lots of large windows help make the interior light and connect to the garden beyond.<br />
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Lots more windows - but still proportional to the design<br />
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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.<br />
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A great place for wellies, logs, deliveries, carol singers, unwanted house guests.........<br />
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.<br />
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And the clients have used brick internally too to break up the amount of oak </div>
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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.<br />
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beyond this split door is the utility room and boot room<br />
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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.</div>
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Sweet box room over the vestibule.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.</div>
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and finally a shower large enough for a rugby team (well a junior rugby team, not full sized obviously)<br />
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.<br />
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.<br />
<br />merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-27329569248932922512012-08-13T06:33:00.003-07:002012-08-13T06:33:48.419-07:00blog off to another blog if you fancy a change<a href="http://littleplummers.blogspot.co.uk/">http://littleplummers.blogspot.co.uk</a><br />
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I am aware that I can be quite repetitive with this blog - it's all pretty much <i>'look how lovely this is!'</i> or <i>'Isn't this just the most lovely house?'</i>, sometimes a bit of <i>'this is what I have done this week'</i> sort of nonsense - but almost always to do with houses (of the Border Oak variety). Sorry about that.<br />
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The truth is that often I am parched for new things to tell you, mainly because I lead a very narrow life and am rarely exposed to anything remotely interesting. So I have decided to put a lot more time and elbow grease into unearthing more original and entertaining snippets of info - if you have any ideas of stuff you would like to see just send me a message below. It will make my life more interesting too?<br />
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And to kick off my new blog regime (which, like all 'new regimes' will probably last the best side of two weeks) I have sent you a link (above) to a blog written by a Border Oak customer, currently building their home. I think it will be fun to see how the house grows over time and how the process runs.<br />
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I can't tell you who it is or where they are because we want to protect the family's privacy but I can say that they house is a full oak frame 'cottage' (cottage in detail but very large in area), designed by the clients architect, and with a big basement. We are undertaking the full build for them and the project is being overseen by their architect and a Border Oak project manager in tandem. The site is incredible and was originally home to an horrid bungalow - so the new home will be a complete transformation I'm sure.<br />
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Anyway, I hope you enjoy their progress.merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-49477122968226180162012-08-08T15:14:00.000-07:002012-08-08T15:14:18.230-07:00new photos - number 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We now have most of our new 2012 photographs sets - most were taken whilst the sun shone and the results are really lovely. I thought I would share some with you over the next few weeks.</div>
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Starting with this great manor house, just completed and beautifully finished by the owners who took on a lot of the construction work themselves.</div>
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Border Oak designed the house - based on a classic double wing and two storey porch layout roughly arranged in an 'H' layout.<br />
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One wing is a blend of brick with oak frame above - the jetties really create interest and detail<br />
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Internally the finish is very light and follows a neutral palette with touches of glamour such as this huge crystal light which makes use of the vaulted ceiling and volume.<br />
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The exposed oak frame is a consistent internal feature but doesn't overwhelm the 'look' the owners have created. I think this is in part due to the palette of natural, muted tones and textures and the limited spectrum of colours.<br />
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The view through the lobby from the front door towards the open tread stair and full length projecting window<br />
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The kitchen has exposed ceiling joists but masonry walls - to ensure that the oak frame isn't hidden by the units.<br />
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At the other end of the kitchen is an informal dining space with a large window.<br />
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The sitting room is an elegant but comfortable room with an exposed brick feature inglenook. I love the way the room is naturally bright and light but yet still cosy and atmospheric.<br />
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I also like the lack of door - so you can see into the vast hall. This helps share light and the feeling of space. The continuity of colours and floor coverings and textures really works when you open the flow of a house this large.<br />
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The hall is absolutely huge! great for parties, christmas and community meetings! The long window brings in so much light - no artificial lights were used for these photos at all.<br />
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Another angle of the sitting room - I wanted to show you the projecting window bay (to the right hand side) The windows are bronze casements with leaded glass.<br />
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So, all in all a very lovely, light and special family home with a great mix of smart contemporary country styling. I am using some of these fab images in the new (well, reprinted) Border Oak brochure and hope to add this house as a case study on the website very shortly.<br />
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coming soon - a pair of cottages side by side.<br />
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<br />merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490295499013645443.post-41013867710078245692012-07-22T04:15:00.001-07:002012-07-22T04:15:51.478-07:00HRH meets Border Oak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just a quick post to share the photos of the Duke of Edinburgh meeting a small BO contingent last week. We were delighted that he wanted to chat with us and surprisingly he knew a lot about green oak. We made a Jubilee Sun dial for the Queen which will be erected at Grange Court in Leominster next year. </div>
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A wonderful experience - its not every day you meet a dashing prince!</div>
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Enjoy the sunshine - while you can.</div>
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<br />merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563967075479052510noreply@blogger.com1