An oak framed garden room transforms Warwickshire cottage
Deborah and Adrian's historic Warwickshire cottage has been part of their lives for decades. In bringing together two historic cottages, they've created a light-filled oak framed garden room that has transformed their everyday life, whilst retaining the charm and character that first captured their hearts.
Project Details
- Warwickshire
- 2021
- Orangery
- 36 m²
- Extension
What prompted Deborah and Adrian to extend their home?
Deborah first moved into the original cottage in the 1990s. The building dates back to the 1680s and was everything she'd dreamt of: a traditional red brick country cottage with exposed oak beams, a welcoming fireplace and centuries of history woven into its walls. It was when she later met Adrian that they decided they wanted more space, however they couldn't imagine leaving the village they loved. Instead, they moved into the slightly larger cottage next door, while Deborah rented her original two-up, two-down home. Eventually the opportunity arose to extend and bring two properties together, creating one unique home while retaining the historic character of both.
Choosing to extend with oak
Working with local architects Brock Charles Architects, Deborah and Adrian developed plans for a new garden room extension that would complement the two traditional red brick properties. The natural material of oak proved to be an obvious choice. "As the original part of our cottage is oak framed, we wanted to be sympathetic to that but with a modern twist," explains Deborah.
The couple loved the warmth and character of oak. "We both love natural materials, so everything stemmed from the oak frame," says Deborah. Its natural beauty lends itself to creating a modern extensions that's in tune with the historical character of their existing home, whilst introducing a more contemporary way of living.
Working with Oakwrights
Deborah and Adrian discovered us at Grand Designs Live at the Birmingham NEC in 2019. Our reputation as a leading specialist in oak framed building design and construction played an important in their decision, but so too did the relationship they developed with the team. "Working with Oakwrights was an enjoyable experience from the beginning," says Adrian. "We knew we were in good hands and felt at ease with the relationship between client and supplier."
During the design process our outbuildings and extensions specialist, George Allen suggested two features that would transform the room- raising the ceiling height and introducing a large central roof lantern. These subtle changes had a remarkable impact, flooding the space with natural light while creating an impressive sense of volumes. "We're very glad George made the change to the roof lantern. It's transformed the whole space," says Deborah.
During construction, they rented an Airbnb just two houses away, giving them a front-row seat as the extension took shape. They were able to watch the oak frame being erected and see the transformation unfold almost on their doorstep.
Designed around everyday life
Deborah and Adrian's 36m² garden room was never intended simply to add more floor space. They both wanted somewhere that would enhance the way they live, giving them a flexible space beyond their existing kitchen, as well as somewhere to enjoy with family and friends. "We absolutely love it," they say. "We use it for everyday living but also have space when we need it to welcome family and friends."
With two lively dogs regularly charging in and out of the garden, practicality was essential. The couple chose Hidcote Grey stone flagstones from Westminster Stone, providing a durable floor that works beautifully with the oak.
Moving through the cosy, character-filled rooms of their cottage before stepping into the light-filled oak-framed garden room creates a sense of surprise every time. After returning from a recent holiday, Deborah realised just how much she loves it. "I didn't mind coming back," she says. "I love my home so much."
Effortless indoor-outdoor living
Their new garden room is immersed in the greenery of the garden, which sits at a higher level. Broad stone steps lead up into the garden, creating a natural transition between indoors and out. Deborah enjoys spending hours watching birds gather in the silver birch tree beyond the windows, making the garden room as much a place for quiet observation as for entertaining.
Oak frame face glazing and opening double-glazed bi-fold doors create seamless enjoyment of the garden in summer, all from the comfort of their sofa. In winter, it becomes a warm and cosy retreat with a log burner, while maintaining views across the across the garden.
A transformative bespoke garden room
Deborah and Adrian's oak framed garden room has created a gentle bridge between their historic home and the garden beyond, respecting the character of the original cottages while giving them a new way to live.
Filled with natural light, framed by oak and surrounded by the garden, it's a space that feels completely bespoke to them. Yet it's practical for two energetic dogs, welcoming for family and friends, and peaceful for watching wildlife. Their garden room has given them something they didn't realise they were looking for- a home they enjoy even more than they imagined.
Deborah and Adrian's top two tips for building an extension
- Don't rush the details. We planned the position for lighting, switches and sockets in details well ahead of the first fix. Investing time in good design is something we strongly recommend to help your build run smoothly.
- Budget realistically. Be realistic about what you want to achieve and what it's likely to cost. There are lots of elements to consider, so a clear understanding of the overall budget from the beginning helps you make decisions with confidence.
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