Second chance for a listed cottage

Caitlin Hughes Caitlin Hughes
Riley House, Innes Architects Innes Architects Rustic style houses
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Riley House is a listed cottage in Cornwall which has been restored to its former glory, complete with all the necessary modern upgrades, thanks to Innes Architects. A previous restoration, which had been poorly executed by a different company, had left this property in a sorry state. The knowledge and expertise of Innes Architects meant that, this time round, the listed building was brought back to life and finished to the highest possible standard. The remedial works included adding drainage trenches, the removal of inappropriate cement render, and replacing the roof with a traditional Cornish slate roof, which connects to the gable wall glazing to allow in plenty of sunlight. The new extension to the front contains a bathroom, utility room and WC, enclosed in stonework with lime mortar. Let's take a closer look…

The exterior

Showing signs of it's age, and it's rich history, the exterior of the cottage is endearing and intriguing despite the obvious wear and tear. The character of architecture such as this strengthens and becomes more distinctive over time.

Traditional extension

The traditional extension displays the same tones and textures as can be found in the roof. Greys and browns blend seamlessly with the original building, and with the natural surrounds. The front garden is smart, and helps to create a positive first impression as guests walk up to the front entrance. Not only that, but the pebbles and slate used here require next to no maintenance, so the focus can remain on the interior.

The kitchen and dining room

Small but perfectly formed, the kitchen and combined dining area is a cosy, yet fresh and bright, space for cooking and socialising. The wooden ceiling brings warmth to the interior, which is balanced out by the white walls, and by the wooden panels that line the wall to the left. The slate floor, in combination with the timber features, keeps this room in touch with nature. 

Wooden panelling

The natural theme continues throughout the home, with slatted timber panels covering a number of interior walls. Here you can see the bathroom with separate toilet, hidden behind the sliding wooden doors. Thanks to these doors, it has been possible to insert floor to ceiling frosted glass panels to maximise light. Privacy isn't compromised, and the bathroom feels bright and airy, particularly so for a cottage. 

A bathroom with natural elements

From this angle, we can see the large bath tub, tucked away behind another wooden panelled wall. We can get a greater impression of the size and layout of the generously proportioned bathroom, which seems to comprise of three different sections whilst retaining an open feel. The white walls, as seen in the dining area, work to the same effect here, giving the room a Scandinavian spa feel

For a similar project, check out this ideabook: Industrial chic meets modern design

What do you think of this renovation project? We look forward to your comments! 

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