CASE STUDY


A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER


Heidi and John Exley moved into the house of their dreams near Doncaster – and then modernised it beyond all recognition with the help of a local architect


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or years Heidi Exley had secretly admired a neighbouring house she could see from her bedroom window. Although she lived in the next cul-de-sac and liked the house she shared with husband John and their children Grace and Brook, she often wished for the privacy and open countryside views of the other property. “I admired it from a distance,” says Heidi. “Houses rarely come up for sale around here, but I waited and hoped that one day it would.”


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When nothing happened, she took matters into her own hands and put a letter through the door asking if the owners would consider selling it. As it turned out, it was perfect timing. The owners were looking to downsize and immediately got in touch.


“We arranged to have a look round, and although it was very dated inside – particularly the kitchen and bathrooms – it was everything I’d hoped it would be,” says Heidi. “We put our


january 2020


Architect John Mason comments on the challenge of renovating the building in terms of the external finish: “The existing dwelling is constructed from artificial stone which is nearly 30 years old, so matching materials was always a concern. We suggested using a through-coloured render system to the walls and anthracite windows and doors to give a modern appearance.”


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