“I really love the big living area because it’s so light, and every single angle that you look out is like a completely different scene,” says Julie-Ann


annexe were completed in January 2022,” says Julie-nn. nd we still hae bits to finish yet The couple have many favourite bits in their new house. “I really love the big living area because it’s so light, and every single angle that you look out is like a completely different scene,” says Julie-Ann. “In one direction is the river, then you turn about 45 degrees and see the hills and then if you go another 45 degrees you are looking out towards Woodbury Commons. It’s quite extraordinary and actually, I say this to people all the time, we only knew that we had the view of the river but the fact that we’ve got these other great views as well is a real bonus.


“Rich wanted to be able to sit inside but feel like he was outside which is why we’ve got the roof overhang; it also offers shade because the house faces south.” The couple has made provisions for old age, which few self-builders would consider. This includes building in a lift shaft so that a lift can be added to access the top oor when the owners are less mobile. The doorways


60 www.sbhonline.co.uk


are wide and a self-contained guest annexe in the garden has been earmarked as a potential home for a professional caregiver for them one day. “It is designed around being able to stay here forever, so long as we’ve got the means to be able to pay for somebody to look after us,” says Julie. This element of her design was inspired by an elderly couple in a nearby house, who have live-in care. Julie doesn’t think of it as a showcase for


her architectural skills, ust her home.  think because it’s very modern, people sometimes look at it and think that that’s all that we do at n  Design. But all of our proects are completely different.”


Her advice to potential self-builders is the same rules she gave herself. “I would really advise against having the subcontractor do any design: don’t let the electrician design where your lights are going to go because they’re coming at it from a practical perspective. However, if you want to have the perfect house for you, you need to think about where you want it based on how you use the room.” She adds:


may/jun 2023


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