{"id":22055,"date":"2023-07-31T11:24:42","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T10:24:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/?p=22055"},"modified":"2023-07-31T11:25:38","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T10:25:38","slug":"rural-self-build","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/uncategorized\/rural-self-build\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I designed our home from scratch’"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Kate Whitefield (@blakewater_build<\/a>) spotted a plot of land with planning permission to demolish the existing house and create a rural self-build, she knew she had to act. \u2018We were living in a big old Victorian place in a town nearby, and it needed lots of things fixing,\u2019 Kate recalls. \u2018I was fed up with it, and had always wanted to build my own house \u2013 so my husband had agreed if the right property came up, he was in.\u2019<\/p>\n

After viewing the plot in a rural location in West Lancashire, with stunning views over rolling fields, the couple, along with 13-year-old daughter Anna, were sold. \u2018It was everything we wanted,\u2019 explains Kate. \u2018The existing 1970s house had already had so many extensions added to it that it wasn\u2019t worth saving. I\u2019m not sure if there were any other offers, but it went ahead quickly.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"\"

To stop it looking too much like a newbuild, Kate has used Welsh slate on the roof of the main house and a composite, Cedral, as cladding on the two wings. Photo: David Giles<\/p><\/div>\n

Taking on a self-build<\/h3>\n

But Kate wasn\u2019t keen on the suggested design for a new build that had already been drawn up. \u2018It just wasn\u2019t in keeping with the area, \u00a0and was like a modern house from an estate. I wanted something that looked like it had been there a while, but with mod cons.\u2019 After spotting a house she liked on an interiors site, designed by a New Zealand architect, Kate went to their website to study it further. \u2018I discovered that the property was actually a bungalow, which I didn\u2019t want, but I really liked the way it had been done.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"\"

With its stunning views, this large open-plan space features stylish cabinetry by Willowfield Bespoke in three different colours. \u2018I ordered pale blue custom-made stools by The Chair People for the breakfast bar, and chose aqua lights with a dimple effect above the island by Lights4Living,\u2019 says Kate. Photo: David Giles<\/p><\/div>\n

Finding the right builder<\/h3>\n

So Kate got to work herself, designing a six-bedroom rural self-build with a central cottage and two barn extensions on either side. Although she doesn\u2019t have design experience, Kate has always been creative, so once the couple had talked through her initial design, they took it to an architect to have it drawn up. The whole process took a year, with planning permission going through smoothly before the search for the right builder began. \u2018I googled local builders, and Martin Silcock of Tricklebank came up,\u2019 explains Kate. \u2018He emailed me straight back asking if we could meet that Saturday, which I took as a good sign that he wanted to meet on a weekend \u2013 and it was.\u2019<\/p>

Advertisements<\/div>
\r\n\t
<\/div>\r\n<\/figure><\/div>\n
\"\"

The pink Brambles dining chairs, from Furniture Village, match with an Arundel rectangular table by Neptune. ‘The big, curved sofa that we move to after dinner was a bargain in the sale at Stokers Furniture.\u2019 Photo: David Giles<\/p><\/div>\n

After taking an immediate liking to Martin, the couple chatted through the project, and although they contacted two other builders, hoped his quote would be the winner. \u2018Given the problems that were to come, I\u2019m so thrilled that it was Martin we chose,\u2019 says Kate. \u2018He and his team really cared; I think he enjoyed the project too, and we became good friends.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"\"

With an impressive vaulted ceiling, this separate space is nicknamed \u2018the posh lounge\u2019, with Kate choosing sofas in her favourite pink and blue from the Crystal range at Sofology. \u2018The Llenya wallpaper in Blush Harbour Gold by Harlequin and the multi-coloured glass pendant by Lighting Styles really makes the most of the pitch\u2019. Photo: David Giles<\/p><\/div>\n

Overcoming wildlife issues<\/h3>\n

With the first spade going in the ground in June 2020, it was to be two years before the couple could move into their new rural self-build, renting a property nearby while it was built. It was supposed to take a year, but the project was beset by problems \u2013 the main one being bats.<\/p>\n

\u2018It appeared that there had been bats living in the roof of the old house, which triggers a big procedure,\u2019 explains Kate. \u2018The permission to demolish the house couldn\u2019t be granted until an ecologist had done a bat survey, only possible at certain times of the year.\u2019 So the couple had to wait four months, plus provide bat boxes in the trees and make sure there was a new home for them on the back of the new house, which they were happy to do. \u2018In the end, they didn\u2019t actually find any bats, but you could say I have become a bit of an expert on the subject!\u2019 she says.<\/p>\n

\"\"

The other end of the living room has fantastic views out over the fields, and Kate has added two armchairs from Sofology and tables from Next Home\u2019s Bronx range, continuing the mustard detailing with some cushions from Dunelm. Photo: David Giles<\/p><\/div>\n

Capturing country views<\/h3>\n

Covid then reared its ugly head, which made finding materials much harder, and increased costs. This, combined with drainage issues and poor soil quality on the plot, lead to even more delays. \u2018It was definitely frustrating at times, but I never regretted it,\u2019 says Kate.<\/p>

Advertisements<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

When it came to the interior layout, Kate was determined to make the most of the views, so the design includes a large central kitchen, dining and living area in the middle of the main house, which looks over the fields, and a separate living space for quieter moments. \u2018We\u2019ve also tried to futureproof the property by putting a guest suite in one of the wings on the ground floor.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"\"

Left: In the guest room, panelling painted in Little Greene\u2019s Lamp Black complements the Amalfi velvet bed in dark green by Danetti. Right: National Trust Woodland Glade hexagon tiles by Ca\u2019 Pietra\u00a0 provide a stunning backdrop for the tub in Kate’s en suite. \u2018I just fell for them immediately and knew I had to use them somewhere,\u2019 says Kate. Photos: David Giles<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Becoming guest-ready<\/h3>\n

All six bedrooms have their own en suites, as Kate didn\u2019t want a single main bathroom. \u2018Our families are spread quite wide, from my sister in Australia to relatives in London and Scotland, so when people come to visit, they stay for a while, and I loved the idea of offering them their own bathroom space.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"\"

Little Greene\u2019s Pink Slip adds a relaxing feel to the main bedroom. \u2018I\u2019ve brought some navy blue in with the Amalfi bed by Danetti, and the Clarke & Clarke velvet curtains and combined the colours with Hampton bedding by Ted Baker.\u2019 Photo: David Giles<\/p><\/div>\n

Adding style and personality<\/h3>\n

Kate was also keen to add colour into her schemes, describing her decorating style as \u2018cosy modern\u2019. \u2018I really didn\u2019t want loads of grey,\u2019 she says. \u2018I love colour, and my base shade is a dusky pink, which I\u2019ve included an element of in every room. But I also didn\u2019t want it to feel too girly, so I\u2019ve added plenty of navy blue, black and some hints of mustard.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"\"

Left: Kate found the Liberty bed for her daughter’s room at DFS, the curtains are in a velvet fabric by Clarke & Clarke and the bedlinen and wall lights are from Next Home. Right: The elegant en suite features a vanity unit, taps and mirrors from Ribble Valley Bathrooms, teamed with Ca\u2019 Pietra\u2019s Medina Rosa hexagon wall tiles. Photos: David Giles<\/p><\/div>\n

With the hard work and build finally completed, Kate regards the house as her family\u2019s forever home, and since moving in, has been adding the finishing touches and putting a personal stamp on the newly completed interiors. \u2018I had two years to plan, and the pieces I\u2019d bought were piling up in the rental property!\u2019 Kate admits. \u2018Nothing from our Victorian house would have fitted, so we didn\u2019t bring any of it. \u2018We made sure that our new home was all fully decorated before we moved in, but I\u2019ve slowly been putting up pictures and arranging accessories. It\u2019s now time for us to enjoy it after all the hard work.\u2019<\/p>

Advertisements<\/div>
\r\n\t
<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n
\n

MORE HOME TOURS<\/p>\n