Houzz Tour: Oak and Natural Light Warm Up an English Cottage
A ground-level guesthouse with a curbless shower gives a grandmother a place to recover from surgery
The idea of building a guesthouse is appealing, particularly for homeowners who have elderly relatives or grown-up children, or who want a home office that’s separate but close by. But can you build one that provides a pleasing view from the main house?
That’s just what the Prime Oak team did when it constructed this beautiful one-bedroom cottage in England for a relative who’d had a hip replacement.
That’s just what the Prime Oak team did when it constructed this beautiful one-bedroom cottage in England for a relative who’d had a hip replacement.
The one-bedroom guesthouse is made from oak, with vertical siding on the facade and sturdy oak supports inside. Reclaimed tiles cover the roof.
“We hired a construction team to build the foundations,” Whitlock says. “Then we built the structure on top.”
A small porch in front of the stable-style door provides shelter from the weather when entering. Wall lights on both sides of the door can be switched on from inside.
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“We hired a construction team to build the foundations,” Whitlock says. “Then we built the structure on top.”
A small porch in front of the stable-style door provides shelter from the weather when entering. Wall lights on both sides of the door can be switched on from inside.
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The ceiling on the front section of the guesthouse is pitched, with exposed beams backed by painted tongue-and-groove paneling. “With a one-bed annex like this, the ceiling can be kept at a height of [13 feet],” Whitlock says. “This means it can be built under ‘permitted development’ regulations.”
The back section, where the kitchen is located, has a flat ceiling.
Wall paint: Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball
The back section, where the kitchen is located, has a flat ceiling.
Wall paint: Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball
Expansive glass panes allow views to the yard from the living area. The windows were painted to match the front door.
The team positioned LED spotlights along the horizontal beam. “There’s a groove on the top of the beam to allow the cables to run along,” Whitlock says.
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The team positioned LED spotlights along the horizontal beam. “There’s a groove on the top of the beam to allow the cables to run along,” Whitlock says.
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The Shaker-style kitchen cabinetry by Venables Oak incorporates plenty of storage. “There’s a fridge inside one of the cupboards,” Whitlock says, “and a standard-sized oven in the breakfast bar.”
An undermount sink is in front of the window and set in a granite countertop.
Cabinet paint: Railings and Elephant’s Breath, Farrow & Ball
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An undermount sink is in front of the window and set in a granite countertop.
Cabinet paint: Railings and Elephant’s Breath, Farrow & Ball
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The breakfast bar’s curved design was chosen for its looks and practicality, as the lack of sharp edges makes it more ergonomic.
The team installed a streamlined induction cooktop in the breakfast bar and positioned a range hood above it.
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The bedroom is 13 by 13 feet. It has a view of the yard through a window that has two fixed panes and two functional ones.
Whitlock and the team designed a built-in closet and drawers along the wall opposite the bed. The space above the closet also can be used for extra storage.
Whitlock and the team designed a built-in closet and drawers along the wall opposite the bed. The space above the closet also can be used for extra storage.
Reclaimed slate roof tiles cover the floor and the walk-in shower area. The shower has no step, so the grandmother can access it easily.
Tell us: Would you consider building a guesthouse like this? What would you use it for? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Tell us: Would you consider building a guesthouse like this? What would you use it for? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read other stories about guesthouses
Find an architect
Shop for home products
Guesthouse at a Glance
Who lives here: The designer’s grandmother
Location: Worcestershire region of England
Size: 635 square feet (59 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
Designer: Penny Whitlock of Prime Oak
This wooden building has a distinctly cottage-like aesthetic. Prime Oak director Penny Whitlock’s grandmother moved in shortly after it was built.