Back in 2010, we bought an old, extremely dilapidated, tobacco drying barn. It had an earth floor, asbestos roofing, and the dried dusty skeletal remains of numerous dead Rats, from it's previous post-tobacco days as a Goose rearing barn. Above are Wills and Kellogg thinking "What the hell have they bought?"
It was an interesting project, which has kept us busy on-n-off for quite some while. I took on most of the interior tasks myself; building walls, insulating, plastering, and doing all the design work.
The roof has been replaced, the interior completely gutted and rebuilt, very eco-friendly solar heating systems etc installed, and now the exterior has also been completely re-boarded. We have just one more bathroom to finish, and a couple of doors to install.
The interior is simple, open-plan, fully-kitted, and comfortable. The outside is laid out as orchard (with Apples, Cherries, Peaches and Figs) and lawns. There are two very large, beautiful, Oak trees. The largest one being 'The Royal Oak, and the slightly smaller one being 'Dangerous Fun'.
It's taken 12 years of unhurried work to arrive at where we are. The transformation has been 'total', and the finished product has become a very comfortable and spacious home. I love it!
I must thank our village Charpentier, Olivier, who has just finished all the exterior cladding. Its warm mahogany colour is much admired, and the finish is perfect. What a change!
Are you going to move into it? Or do what with it? It looks terrific.
ReplyDeleteNo, it's my youngest son's house. He's presently living in Miami, but also has homes in Thailand and Goldcoast Oz. Our house is about 100 metres away.
DeleteThat was my question
DeleteThat cladding looks brilliant.
ReplyDeleteIt has a beautiful Mahogany glow about it. It will require two more lots of stain; one this winter, and another next year, then it should stay as in the picture.
DeleteVery lovely :)
ReplyDeleteNice, isn't it.
DeleteIt looks fabulous, the new cladding is very smart.
ReplyDeleteAll thanks to our village Charpentier, Olivier. He's done a great job.
DeleteWhat a beautiful home.
ReplyDeleteIt would be better with my little Boo Boo and Mischa (grandsons) in residence.
DeleteIt looks wonderful, could we see more of the interior, especially the kitchen? I would move there in an instant.
ReplyDeleteIt also shows that you should take your time with a project like this.
If you type 'A quick tour' into the white search strip (top left) you should go to a page of interior photos.
DeleteA job well done. Its marvellous inside and out. A place to stand back and admire
ReplyDeleteWe'll, we admire it because it's been our project!
DeleteIt looks lovely and, by your description, the only original part left is the framing.
ReplyDeleteYes, the original structure is the only bit left, and even some of that has been replaced to make a stronger upstairs floor.
DeleteThat's a lovely house. Well done. Hope your family are able to move in soon.
ReplyDeleteThey've already been living there, but not since the new cladding is on.
DeleteWell worth taking the time to achieve something special. Looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't been working on it full time, but we're happy it's all over.
DeleteIt looks beautiful. I can't see a white search strip! Would love to see the interior.
ReplyDeleteIt should be at the top of the page, above where it says Magnon's Meanderings, over to the left.
DeleteGo to web view Frances, black background, and the white strip is top left, search.
DeleteAha! It was covered by the cookies message!
DeleteLooks so beautiful inside and out.
ReplyDeleteIt's made a lovely, friendly, home. Perfect for a young family.
DeleteIt's an absolute triumph Cro. Well done you. Jean. x
ReplyDeleteThank you; all our hard work has come to fruition.
DeleteBeautiful work on a building worth treasuring.
ReplyDeleteHistory given a future
It was a bit of a foolhardy project, but we've got to the finish line.
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful Cro. The exterior finish looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWe had originally expected it to be black, but I really like this colour.
DeleteThat is absolutely gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWe've been surrounded by machines and lorries for months, so it's nice to have it to ourselves again.
DeleteWow! That is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt's become a very pleasant home.
DeleteGorgeous …. 12 years hard work well spent ! XXXX
ReplyDeleteNot too much hard work. It was hard at the beginning, but after all the construction work, it became pure pleasure.
DeleteYour name isn't Strawbridge by any chance?
ReplyDeleteHe has a bigger moustache than me.
DeleteIt's a lovely home, Cro. Perfect for a young family. Will they be returning soon?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure. Boo Boo is at school in Miami, and they seem to have settled down well there, but I'm sure they'll pop back for a while when they can.
DeleteI've followed your project for most of my ten years of hanging around. It's fabulous. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteOur own home was just a one-roomed ruin when I bought it back in around 1978 (?), and we're still working on it. I must enjoy doing such things!
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