Breathing new life into Mill House
A quintessential Cotswolds market town jigsaw piece
Just as every listed building is unique, so is every restoration specification. With over two decades of experience, heritage restoration has become a cornerstone of Barr Group’s expertise. As such the team were delighted to be commissioned to work alongside Tyack Architects and Debbie Gee Interiors to renovate this listed Cotswolds townhouse, including the addition of a traditional stone-matched garden room.
The Old Coach House, an 18th-century Grade II-listed property, is part of a cascade of wonderfully situated terraced residences, whose rooflines elegantly step down through the historic market town. Its frontage is that of a classic two-storey Georgian residence, complete with buff-coloured Cotswold rubble stone, distinctive tall chimney stacks and long sash windows set into ashlar stone surrounds. It is from the back, however, that the full height of the property is revealed, with apertures showing its four full stories. A beautifully established, south-facing walled garden slopes gently away from the property, letting natural light flood in.
Projecting from the main rear facade and bridging between the upper and lower ground floors is the original kitchen and a new stone garden room, designed by Tyack Architects. The realised intention was to respect the character of the property and to enhance its garden-facing elevation. Adorned with heritage-matched natural blue slate tiles, the roofline was designed to blend with that of the old kitchen, avoiding a stepped eaves line across the projection and ensuring cohesion as a whole.
The all-important south-facing gable end was designed for symmetry, with a traditional French door set, flanked by long sash windows and separated by stone mullions. Set top and centre is a circular window, positioned to lighten the facade, adding interest to the masonry and letting sunlight permeate deeper into the full-height interior. From the west elevation, a pair of deep sash windows, matched with stone surrounds, are perfectly positioned to receive the evening sun.
Throughout the property, small but significant heritage-approved interventions were implemented, designed to return spaces to their original form. As well as a complete mechanical and electrical overhaul and vital heritage restoration works, the potential of every room was maximised through a full fixtures, fittings and finishes scheme, designed by Debbie Gee Interiors. Debbie and the Barr Group team had the privilege of working hand in hand with our experienced client, who has a great eye for detail and a keen visual acumen. Heritage-matched made-to-measure cabinetry by Barr Joinery and Barr Kitchens throughout the property gives each space a uniquely luxurious feel.
In the kitchen, bespoke in-frame cabinetry offers a wealth of client-led design features. A statement dresser-style piece, with a traditional tongue and groove backboard, curved edge shelving and light marbled worktops, contains deep pan drawers and inset lighting. Finer detailing includes bespoke cutlery inserts, spice and tray holders and eye-height open plate racks. Recessed wall cabinets respect lines of sight, and range cooker housing offsets the asymmetry of the old chimney breast... all serving to create the perfect balance of functionality and aesthetics.
On the lower ground floor, accessed from the kitchen/garden level via a half flight of stairs, the old cellar is lit by a stone mullioned window facing south onto the garden. In the recent past the room had been partitioned into a damp unusable section furthest from the window, and a front section made usable by means of a partial tanking system, which was concealing the original York stone flagstones and fireplace. A decision was taken to reclaim this potentially wonderful space as a snug/library. Flagstones were carefully lifted, and the floor was dug out, ready for a full wrap tanking system. Underfloor heating was installed and the flagstones were re-laid alongside matched reclaimed pieces to replace broken sections. With the whole cellar now usable, the study/snug is a hugely enticing space, with a wood burner installed in the original inglenook fireplace and a whole wall of made-to-measure library shelving.
Throughout the residence, warm whites sit against deep reds and a striking collection of greens, ranging from light sage to deepest moss and everything in between. Soft furnishings and headboards upholstered in carefully selected textured weaves and a collection of delightful statement wallpapers add richness and vibrancy to the residence. Through the combined minds and collaborative approach of a great project team, including Tyack Architects, heritage consultant Victoria Hubbard, Solid Engineering and Debbie Gee Interiors to name but a few, Barr Group were able to do justice to this wonderful piece of English heritage, leaving The Old Coach House beautifully set for many decades to come.