Country Manor

This striking country manor set in the heart of the verdant English countryside cost approximately £500,000 – excluding land – to build, £100,000 of which was attributable to oak frame and joinery.

The client:

An exacting customer with high standards, an eye for detail and exceptional taste. Particularly fond of the surrounding countryside, they enjoy spending time in the property’s beautiful orchard garden.

Design brief:

To create a dream home, in keeping with both the local building style and the stunning orchard plot. A minimum of four bedrooms were required as was an inside and outside entertaining space. A traditional style was important, and it needed to perform and function as a high-end, bespoke home should.

Challenges encountered:

Due to the necessary incorporation of part of an existing structure and the preservation of an existing oak framed barn that was to be attached to one end of the property, a seamless blend was paramount. The main focus had to be on enjoying the stunning orchard garden, and indeed the wider countryside. And the budget, whilst substantial, was strict.

Solutions:

A traditional half-brick oak framed home with infill panels designed to exceed modern standards in water and air tightness and thermal performance was the answer. An advanced mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system (MVHR) was specified and a bespoke metal-web joist floor was designed to accommodate this and the other services in the house. Each room was meticulously detailed, with every corner and every timber serving a purpose, and individual features added to make every room unique and appealing.

Key features:

The oak jetty with rounded supporting brackets is quite special. And a beautiful oak framed porch to the front creates an impressive yet modest entrance. Bespoke, oak doors and windows, with triple glazing on all North-facing elevations add character and warmth. And feature oak joists in the kitchen and dining area add charm. Feature Oak trusses in the master bedroom upstairs and the attic area – which has space for a further two bedrooms, if required – add strength and authenticity to the manor.

Why we like it:

This house is just incredible. No stone has been left unturned in its design. It embodies the perfect rural country manor house, balancing a traditional appearance with an up-to- the-minute performance. And getting the blend of light and spacious with snug and cosy just right too. Each and every room brings its own attributes and all contribute to making this home the characterful place that it is. From the tailored, EHC approved oak bi-fold doors that open the kitchen and dining area up to the incredible panorama of the gently sloping Orchard garden to the living room with its large open fireplace, this home really does have it all.