Bobble House

A luxurious, garden room to suit every occasion

“Ashleigh was very professional and creative.“

David and Sheila Thorpe

The intriguingly named Bobble House is a classic example of traditional Cotswold architecture. The detached, four-bedroom property dates from the 1800s, and its origin as a stable is clear from its long, low-roofed architectural layout.

Previous generations had already extended the original house on two sides, but the current owners, David and Sheila, came to us in 2021 with a brief to create a purpose-built garden room extension on the third side.

Both wanted to be able to walk into a spacious and stylish garden room that connected directly with their kitchen – a bespoke space to entertain family and friends surrounded by nature.

Bobble House has a beautiful, mature garden with copper beeches, graceful silver birches, and a large natural pond. “But as you walked from one end of the house to the other, right through to the kitchen,” remembers Ashleigh, “you literally hit a brick wall. “

“It was tantalising – you knew there was this beautiful garden and a magnificent pond just the other side, yet you couldn’t reach it. You couldn’t even really see it through the existing window, above the kitchen sink.”“I didn’t see a blank wall – I saw a blank canvas, filled with possibility.”

The solution – floor-to-ceiling glass on three sides

“When I show you my initial concept drawings and plans, I’m as inspired by them as I want you to be. Because I know we can make them a reality – and they’ll be the best.”

Ashleigh

With such a long, low house, the challenge was to create a contemporary extension that wouldn’t unbalance the characterful look of the property. Our solution was a single storey, flat-roofed extension with stunning, floor-to-ceiling glazing on three sides – four if you count the embedded roof lights – installed to capture the natural panorama of the sky. The extension is orientated to catch the evening sun too.

The glazing is supported by slimline metal Crittal frames – specifically chosen because they are structurally strong, yet slender so you get maximum glass for minimum frame. Despite their contemporary look, Crittal frames also suit many Cotswold properties that have metal rods in their stone mullioned windows.

We solved the ‘kitchen connection’ in two ways. First, we made a new doorway from kitchen to garden room, and second, we enlarged the tiny existing window above the sink and installed a Crittal styled fixed window to match the new aesthetic of the garden room. The new window creates a ‘vista’ that allows you to see straight through the extension – and out into the garden beyond.

Completing the look is the natural stone flooring, which complements the original Cotswold flagstones in Bobble House.

A glorious garden room

As architects specialising in luxury design, we believe that being surrounded by light and space brings harmony and humanity to residential architecture. Light in particular brings your home to life.

Bobble House’s garden room has been transformational both for the property and for David and Sheila’s lifestyle.  It balances the luxury of natural light with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, neutral tones and natural materials. The new extension is spacious enough to seat the whole family for Christmas – and any other occasion, all year round without overheating in summer or being too chilly to use in winter. A real ‘statement’ room.

“The significant extension is admired by everyone who has visited.”

David and Sheila Thorpe