After living in their rural property in Shropshire for 16 years, Nick and Janine decided it was time to replace their dilapidated summer house and create a multi-purpose outbuilding that could be used to socialise with friends as well as an office on a daily basis.
Choosing to build with oak
Nick and Janine originally came to us back in 2017 to design an oak frame garage. They were looking for a structure to house a new car Nick had ordered along with somewhere to store garden machinery. Four years later, Nick and Janine got back in touch with us to design and build a multi-purpose oak framed outbuilding in their garden that would complement their existing garage.
Key design features
Nick and Janine’s planned to use their garden building as both a workspace and a place to entertain friends.
The left-hand bay therefore features a kitchenette and workstation, while the remaining two bays have been designed as both a living and social space with a large sofa, a feature log burner and a TV that comes down from the roof. To ensure their bespoke outbuilding could be used all year-round, underfloor heating was also installed. The building has a vaulted roof creating a spacious airy feel to the room.
“We chose practical ceramic tiles for the floor as they are cool in the summer, warm in the winter and are a good choice for our big dog as this floor won’t scratch with their claws,” explains Nick.
Key external design features include a wrap-around veranda with braced oak posts and beams that add a great depth of character. These two sides are fitted with slimline bi-fold doors which open out fully between the oak posts creating a perfect indoor-outdoor space overlooking Nick and Janine’s garden.
With the plot located next to Nick and Janine’s tennis court and with amazing views over the Shropshire hills, their building is a great place to entertain friends and enjoy BBQs.
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