A rustic replacement
Homebuilding & Renovating|February 2022
Andrew and Paget Briggs have transformed their 17th-century Cornish farmhouse with a sympathetic kitchen built using local materials
Alexandra Pratt
A rustic replacement

HOMEOWNERS Andrew and Paget Briggs

LOCATION West Cornwall

PROJECT Kitchen renovation in a granite farmhouse

BUILD COST £65,000

VALUE Unknown

Replacing the kitchen in a granite farmhouse dating from 1640 was always going to be a challenge on every level. Not only were there no straight lines to work from, but designing a space that meets 21st-century needs while respecting the existing building, required careful consideration. Andrew and Paget’s new kitchen manages to meet all these demands, and it does so using locally sourced materials.

A FARMHOUSE WITH POTENTIAL

When the couple first saw the Cornish farmhouse in 2017, they were captivated by its views and the setting: an historic building surrounded by an even older landscape of woods, grazing and moorland. “We were looking for a complete change of lifestyle,” says Paget. “Although it was very tired, it had the makings of a great family home.”

The five-bedroom property needed attention throughout, but after living in the house for just over two years Andrew and Paget knew what didn’t work and decided to tackle the kitchen first. It is a large room with an impressive inglenook fireplace in local granite and a hardwood conservatory added by the previous owner with homemade kitchen cupboards to match. “Everything had to fit around the inglenook, which originally would have had the range, so there were limits to what we could do,” explains Paget. The wall of exposed granite suggested materials that would fit with the building and be substantial, but not grand.

This story is from the February 2022 edition of Homebuilding & Renovating.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 2022 edition of Homebuilding & Renovating.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATINGView All
SOLAR MYTHS DEBUNKED
Homebuilding & Renovating

SOLAR MYTHS DEBUNKED

We ask the experts about the truth behind 12 common myths around solar panels...

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
Experience pays
Homebuilding & Renovating

Experience pays

Seasoned renovators Sue and Jim Savege put their knowledge and skills to the test when renovating and extending their 19th-century Scottish cottage

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN EXTENDING YOUR HOME
Homebuilding & Renovating

10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN EXTENDING YOUR HOME

You've got your plans in place and are close to getting started on site, but what other key tasks need completing to keep everything on track? Here's what you need to consider...

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
Lofts Conversion glazing
Homebuilding & Renovating

Lofts Conversion glazing

Extending upwards is a great way to gain extra space but it is crucial to get the glazing right to capture views, control the light and prevent overheating

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
A modern slant
Homebuilding & Renovating

A modern slant

After buying an east London Victorian terrace, one couple decided to extend it outwards and upwards to make it fit for 21st-century living

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
A BUILDER'S VIEW
Homebuilding & Renovating

A BUILDER'S VIEW

Make sure you get accurate quotes for your project by following this key advice

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
12 tips for tackling a slow renovation
Homebuilding & Renovating

12 tips for tackling a slow renovation

Taking on a renovation project? Consider our tips on doing it in your own time and undertaking the work in stages to avoid the pressures of a strict deadline

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
PLANNING LOOPHOLES
Homebuilding & Renovating

PLANNING LOOPHOLES

If you get familiar with some of the lesser-known rules, they may just help you get approval for your project

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
Pastures greener
Homebuilding & Renovating

Pastures greener

Having built their previous home themselves Paul and Johanna Suter decided a custom oak frame self-build in a verdant setting was the perfect choice for creating their family home

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
In perfect harmony
Homebuilding & Renovating

In perfect harmony

Susi Clark's long-held wish for creating a combined home and workspace came to fruition on a tricky sloping site

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024