Vale Cottage, Oxfordshire

Contemporary design in a traditional property

“We are so pleased with the finished space – it’s transformed the entire house – and it works so well!”

Eileen and Randy Weeks

Vale Cottage is a characterful 200 year old Cotswold property, which looks out over a beautiful valley and view. As specialists in renovating and reimagining traditional residential properties for contemporary living, we were delighted to be invited to design a brand new living and dining space for our clients, Randy and Eileen Weeks.

Our brief

Right from the first walk-through, both Randy and Eileen had a clear vision of what they wanted.

The family was using their existing conservatory as a dining room, but it could become very hot in summer and freezing cold in winter. Plus, their kitchen felt quite cramped and dark due to the traditional foot-thick stone walls, and only a single window letting in limited light. The brief was to remove the existing conservatory and create a light, airy and welcoming kitchen space. Plus an open-plan, light-filled dining area that looked out over the stunning surrounding countryside, where the couple could entertain family and friends.

Our solution – Vale Cottage’s new ‘showcase entertainment’ space

We proposed a two-storey and single-storey rear extension with inspiringly high ceilings, three roof lights, and French doors with side lights on the rear to flood the space with natural light. The contemporary design included the longed-for open-plan kitchen that would be a pleasure to cook in.

This was achieved by breaking through the existing external stone wall to create a light-filled open space connecting to the new spacious dining area. 

While the new ‘room for all seasons’ has a warm and luxurious feel in winter, Eileen and Randy can enjoy stunning views of the garden and valley every day of the year. In summer, the space really comes into its own – opening directly onto the enlarged patio deck.

Ashleigh Clarke Architects also took the designs one step further – and upward! – creating a beautiful, first-floor ensuite bathroom for our clients.

Keeping the original character of a property

Vale Cottage, like many properties we design for, is situated in an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). It was important that the new extension was in keeping with the traditional Cotswold character of the existing property. As you approach Vale Cottage, the original character of the house appears unchanged since the extension is cunningly concealed from view. We also left some of the original stone walls exposed, so old and the new complement each other.

An unexpected collaboration with the neighbours

Coincidentally, the neighbours were also planning an extension, and during our concept design development, it became clear that it would be both practical and cost efficient to design and build both extensions at the same time. This would mean a new party wall could be created, meaning less wasted space – and more room for the extensions.

The two properties, however, are not mirror images of each other, and have different floor levels. This proved an interesting structural challenge for the new party wall. We would have a very limited area to work in, and Building Control advised that foundations would need to be sunk very deep.

By working in collaboration with the structural engineer designing the foundations, and excellent project management onsite by our project manager, the collaboration proved a win-win for both parties.

Vale Cottage – designed for living

It’s been a joy to see the transformation to both our client’s lifestyle and living space. The family now has room to breathe, and three brand new ‘rooms with a view’! Vale Cottage is truly ‘designed for living.’

“Ashleigh designed a one and a half storey extension on an awkward site that opened up our cottage and delivered an unexpected bonus – a large ensuite bathroom for us on the first floor! We couldn’t be happier.”

Randy and Eileen

Read another case study of a stunning extension to a traditional Cotswold property here.