Houzz Tour: Classic Stone Cottage Gains Light and Storage
Designers update a riverside home in England, with a new staircase, windows, skylights and coastal colors
“Getting more light in was a priority,” says Sarah Woodford of Woodford Architecture and Interiors, who transformed this classic stone cottage in Cornwall, England, with her partner, architect Gavin Woodford. “It was very outdated, dark and damp.” The challenge was to pull in extra light without compromising the style of the riverside property.
Clever changes, including opening up the stairwell, adding skylights in the bathrooms and installing more windows, had a huge impact. “It’s made it a house you want to be in as opposed to one that felt a bit dingy before,” Sarah says. Scroll down to see their inspiring renovation.
Clever changes, including opening up the stairwell, adding skylights in the bathrooms and installing more windows, had a huge impact. “It’s made it a house you want to be in as opposed to one that felt a bit dingy before,” Sarah says. Scroll down to see their inspiring renovation.
Gavin and Sarah have maximized the space in the eat-in kitchen by building banquette seating around three sides of the bay window. This allows for entertaining a crowd, but it’s also a lovely place for the homeowners to relax. “When you’re sitting there, it’s like you’re at the same height as the water. You almost feel as if you’re on a boat, it’s so lovely,” Sarah says.
To work every inch of the new dining area, the designers had the table custom made. “Finding something that fit that space exactly would have been difficult,” Sarah says.
Wide, horizontal tongue-and-groove paneling brings a gentle coastal feel, and it’s painted in a soft gray with a subtle green undertone. “[This color] always works well next to water,” Sarah says.
Wall paint: Alabaster, Fired Earth; pendant light: Hector Finch
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To work every inch of the new dining area, the designers had the table custom made. “Finding something that fit that space exactly would have been difficult,” Sarah says.
Wide, horizontal tongue-and-groove paneling brings a gentle coastal feel, and it’s painted in a soft gray with a subtle green undertone. “[This color] always works well next to water,” Sarah says.
Wall paint: Alabaster, Fired Earth; pendant light: Hector Finch
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Making full use of the bay window has allowed Sarah and Gavin to extend the kitchen, which was made to their design. A huge island offers excellent prep and cooking space. “It’s one of the biggest islands we’ve done — more than 3 meters [3.3 yards],” Sarah says.
The team incorporated masses of storage, not only on both sides of the island, but along the side wall and under the stairs. “We showed the owners a first draft of our ideas and they said yes to everything straight away,” Sarah says.
They chose a dark bluish-green color. “It looks amazing with the brass handles,” she says.
New engineered oak flooring runs throughout the first floor and up to the landing above. The floor was originally dark laminate in here, with carpet in the living area. “We put in one kind of flooring throughout to bring it all together,” Sarah says. It’s also one of the many seemingly small design decisions that have helped to boost light levels. “The pale floor really helps to bounce the light back up again,” she says.
Cabinet paint: Under the Wave, Fired Earth; engineered oak flooring: Ted Todd; Karoko marble bar table: Nkuku
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The team incorporated masses of storage, not only on both sides of the island, but along the side wall and under the stairs. “We showed the owners a first draft of our ideas and they said yes to everything straight away,” Sarah says.
They chose a dark bluish-green color. “It looks amazing with the brass handles,” she says.
New engineered oak flooring runs throughout the first floor and up to the landing above. The floor was originally dark laminate in here, with carpet in the living area. “We put in one kind of flooring throughout to bring it all together,” Sarah says. It’s also one of the many seemingly small design decisions that have helped to boost light levels. “The pale floor really helps to bounce the light back up again,” she says.
Cabinet paint: Under the Wave, Fired Earth; engineered oak flooring: Ted Todd; Karoko marble bar table: Nkuku
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To the left of the sink is a pull-out pantry cupboard. This adds width to the stacked coffee-maker and oven on the far left, so the section looks symmetrical with the refrigerator on the right (see previous photo).
The countertop is Caesarstone and the backsplash is zellige-style tile, which catches the light. The owners requested the plate rack, which has been elegantly made in oak.
The countertop is Caesarstone and the backsplash is zellige-style tile, which catches the light. The owners requested the plate rack, which has been elegantly made in oak.
Before: The staircase was mostly walled in and twisted 90 degrees at the bottom, which made the area dark and the kitchen and dining area feel slightly divided.
Notice the dark flooring mentioned previously and the awkward change to carpet.
Notice the dark flooring mentioned previously and the awkward change to carpet.
After: Rebuilding the whole staircase in a linear formation freed up space and made the area much lighter. New skylights in the bathrooms at the top of the stairs bring light in and spindles rather than paneling allow the light to spill out on either side.
“By putting this stairwell in, we’ve opened the landing to the [first] floor. It’s so much lighter,” Sarah says.
In addition, the new staircase has created space for four built-in cabinets, with oak-lined shelving adding a smart detail that works with the oak plate rack opposite.
The door on the right leads to the laundry and powder rooms.
“By putting this stairwell in, we’ve opened the landing to the [first] floor. It’s so much lighter,” Sarah says.
In addition, the new staircase has created space for four built-in cabinets, with oak-lined shelving adding a smart detail that works with the oak plate rack opposite.
The door on the right leads to the laundry and powder rooms.
The cabinets in the laundry room are painted the same color as the kitchen cabinetry. The flooring in here is limestone with a drain installed. This is a great example of a designer tailoring their project to enhance the client’s lifestyle.
“Being next to the water, [the owners] are out in their dinghy all the time, and they can come straight in here through the back door, take everything off that’s dripping wet, and sweep the water down the drain,” Sarah says. “Everything can then be left to dry in the cupboards, as they’re fitted with drip trays with drainage in the bottom.”
The ship-style lighting in here resonates nicely with the coastal setting. The double-paned windows are all new, but in the original style.
“Being next to the water, [the owners] are out in their dinghy all the time, and they can come straight in here through the back door, take everything off that’s dripping wet, and sweep the water down the drain,” Sarah says. “Everything can then be left to dry in the cupboards, as they’re fitted with drip trays with drainage in the bottom.”
The ship-style lighting in here resonates nicely with the coastal setting. The double-paned windows are all new, but in the original style.
Off the laundry is a powder room. Again, the designers installed in storage in a wall painted the same color as the kitchen and laundry room cabinetry. The faucets are unlacquered brass so they will quickly develop a patina.
Bucket sink: Alape; faucets: Aston Matthews
Bucket sink: Alape; faucets: Aston Matthews
Before: The fireplace was originally toward the front of the living room facing the entrance to the room, which meant the area wasn’t very cozy.
After: Moving the fireplace toward the back of the room meant Sarah and Gavin could create a cozy seating area. The new fireplace has a limestone surround with a brick slip insert and a slate hearth.
The nook for the basket is the old fireplace.
Stair runner: Roger Oates
The nook for the basket is the old fireplace.
Stair runner: Roger Oates
Soft seating now surrounds the cozy nook. A sofa with a footstool is more versatile than a sectional and it doesn’t interfere with the view through the window. The sisal rug, meanwhile, helps define the area and adds softness underfoot.
Lighting in the shelving creates a nice warm glow. “We worked with a great lighting designer and the quality of the light is lovely,” Sarah says.
The two cabinet doors under the TV pull down, as family members like gaming and have devices that need an infrared connection.
Lighting in the shelving creates a nice warm glow. “We worked with a great lighting designer and the quality of the light is lovely,” Sarah says.
The two cabinet doors under the TV pull down, as family members like gaming and have devices that need an infrared connection.
At the other end of the living room, Sarah and Gavin added the round internal window, again nodding to a nautical feel while borrowing light from the hallway.
They kept the narrow alcove next to the old fireplace and have built in a cabinet with a cupboard and shelves for display, again lit for a warm glow.
The only cushions the designers bought off the shelf are these two on the armchairs, but they perfectly capture the home’s palette of soft blues with touches of warming pink and terra-cotta.
Throw cushions on chairs: John Lewis & Partners
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They kept the narrow alcove next to the old fireplace and have built in a cabinet with a cupboard and shelves for display, again lit for a warm glow.
The only cushions the designers bought off the shelf are these two on the armchairs, but they perfectly capture the home’s palette of soft blues with touches of warming pink and terra-cotta.
Throw cushions on chairs: John Lewis & Partners
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The hallway, which is on the other side of the round window, has yet more storage, as well as a barn door with a four-pane window like those throughout the house.
There’s also coat storage outside the photo frame on the right.
There’s also coat storage outside the photo frame on the right.
The rebuilt staircase has white oiled oak banisters. A round mirror echoes the round window in the living room below.
All the doorways have transom windows, which helps light travel downstairs.
All the doorways have transom windows, which helps light travel downstairs.
The designers had the roomy landing closets custom-made for storing bed linens, towels and so on.
The two larger bedrooms, including the couple’s, seen here, are at the front of the house and have views of the estuary.
The designers used soothing neutrals and natural textures for a relaxing mood.
Custom cabinetry offers display space around the bed.
Kontro 6000 pendant lamp: Secto
The designers used soothing neutrals and natural textures for a relaxing mood.
Custom cabinetry offers display space around the bed.
Kontro 6000 pendant lamp: Secto
There are also two roomy closets and a dressing table opposite the bed. Again, a round mirror — something the designers have included in all the bedrooms and one of the bathrooms – brings that hint of a porthole.
Next door in the main guest room, a delicate bird print wallpaper creates a serene mood. Sarah has added a paler pink in here through the headboard and accessories. “The wallpaper is a warm taupe color, and I thought the pink really suited it,” she says.
Yukutori wallpaper: Farrow & Ball
Yukutori wallpaper: Farrow & Ball
The room has custom-made closets and a dressing table that mirrors the design in the couple’s bedroom. The ottoman at the end of the bed also has storage inside.
Despite all the storage, though, it doesn’t feel cluttered. “In small spaces, if you’re able to build stuff in, it does gain you a lot of space,” Sarah says, because standalone furniture can’t be pushed right up next the wall.
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Despite all the storage, though, it doesn’t feel cluttered. “In small spaces, if you’re able to build stuff in, it does gain you a lot of space,” Sarah says, because standalone furniture can’t be pushed right up next the wall.
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In the smaller guest room, the designers have installed pegs along two walls. “There wasn’t the opportunity to build in storage in this room, but at least guests can hang up their clothes,” Sarah says.
The simple nightstands each contain a small drawer.
Nightstands: Another Country
The simple nightstands each contain a small drawer.
Nightstands: Another Country
Double bunks in the other small bedroom mean the young child can have friends for a sleepover. The curtains fit in perfectly with the setting. “The owners had previously lived in Dubai and they brought back this fabric with boats on it, so we thought it would be nice in [the child’s] bedroom,” Sarah says.
A roomy oak chest of drawers offers plenty of storage for the young child’s clothes.
Before: What is now the principal bathroom was very tired.
After: The room is unrecognizable. One of the key moves in the renovation was taking out the ceilings in both bathrooms and inserting roof windows. “Skylights are so great — they really are the answer to so many problems. The light in here now is amazing,” Sarah says.
As the bathrooms are at the top of the stairs, the light is shared down the stairwell.
The designers moved the left-hand wall forward to hide the toilet tank and shower pipes and took the opportunity to carve out a cupboard above and a shower niche for toiletries.
As the bathrooms are at the top of the stairs, the light is shared down the stairwell.
The designers moved the left-hand wall forward to hide the toilet tank and shower pipes and took the opportunity to carve out a cupboard above and a shower niche for toiletries.
The room now has a spacious walk-in shower, thanks in part to the raised ceiling. White herringbone tiles catch the light.
Again, the designers have chosen the dark blue used throughout for the vanity unit. “The house isn’t huge and I think putting in lots of different colors would have made it feel less calming,” Sarah says. “I like that there’s repetition in it.”
Again, the designers have chosen the dark blue used throughout for the vanity unit. “The house isn’t huge and I think putting in lots of different colors would have made it feel less calming,” Sarah says. “I like that there’s repetition in it.”
The second bathroom was originally divided into three, with a tiny bathroom, a separate toilet and a space for the hot-water tank. Sarah and Gavin combined them into one.
The couple wanted a tub in the here for bathing their child. The penny tiles add texture and reflect the light from the new roof window.
Again, there’s a subtle coastal feel with the pale gray-green tongue-and-groove paneling.
Wall paint: Opal Green, Fired Earth
The couple wanted a tub in the here for bathing their child. The penny tiles add texture and reflect the light from the new roof window.
Again, there’s a subtle coastal feel with the pale gray-green tongue-and-groove paneling.
Wall paint: Opal Green, Fired Earth
Now the home seems lighter and more modern without the historical feel being compromised. “It’s amazing how taking out a few bits of wall here and there, along with opening up the staircase, has made the whole place feel so different,” Sarah says.
The family had stayed away during the renovation, trusting Sarah and Gavin to follow their wishes, so the ‘big reveal’ was all the more special. “When they saw it at the end, they burst into tears,” Sarah says. “Having stayed away, they really got that excitement as the transformation was immediate.”
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The family had stayed away during the renovation, trusting Sarah and Gavin to follow their wishes, so the ‘big reveal’ was all the more special. “When they saw it at the end, they burst into tears,” Sarah says. “Having stayed away, they really got that excitement as the transformation was immediate.”
More on Houzz
Read more design and remodeling stories
Browse millions of photos for ideas
Find home design and construction professionals
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House at a Glance
Who lives here: A family
Location: Helford Estuary, Cornwall, England
Size: Four bedrooms and two bathrooms
Designers: Interior designer Sarah Woodford and architect Gavin Woodford of Woodford Architecture and Interiors
One half of the couple loves cooking, so in addition to requesting more light, the pair asked for a bigger, much more functional kitchen and an area for entertaining. They also wanted the whole place modernized and for it to have a subtle coastal feel. “Not overly, just a nod,” Sarah says.