Ambitious Renovation Breathes Life Into 150 Year Old Granite Cottage

Tucked between pine forest and field, a tumbledown croft lay in wait for the right people to breathe life and soul back into it. The challenge was for Master Builders and FMB members Coldwells Building Company Ltd to strip back and refurbish the cottage and byre (cowshed) and create additional space with a modern, bold extension of timber and glass.

The architect’s brief demanded a seamless blend of new and old, transforming the cottage into a bright and open contemporary home, fit for a growing young family.

Openings were created in the granite walls to fit full height glazing, bringing light into the heart of the home and capitalising on the lush forest view.

Discreet pocket doors made the most of space and the layout reconfigured to create a practical and spacious open-plan kitchen and living area, with the byre converted into two bedrooms. A new extension gained extra space for a generous living room and master bedroom suite.

Of course, when you’re renovating old buildings, you have to plan for the unexpected – which is why having an experienced Master Builder on board can save you both worry and expense.

With the imminent arrival of a new baby for the owners, Coldwells were up against the clock. The strip-out revealed there were more issues than expected. Repairing the roof was a real budget-blow, but Coldwells were able to come up with a solution that repurposed material to build a new roof, making savings for their client. They were also able to install a new land drain at short notice after the home was discovered to be at immediate risk of flooding.

With trust and clear communication, the end result was a quality build, brought in on budget.

To find out more about this award-winning project, or to find a professional, quality builder near you, visit the FMB website.

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