Renovation, Design & Build
Whether you aim to create a refined modern atmosphere or bring back the beauty of a long-lost era, these examples show how we can help turn your vision into reality.
Our Thoughts on What Makes Design Meaningful:
Take a look at the image above. Certain subtleties indicate where it was built, the period from which the design style originated, and also the quality. For example, the use of Kentish ragstone for the plinth probably places us in Kent, but the darker and browner hassock mixed in with it suggests this building is perhaps located in the North of the County. But what about the eave design; did you notice no fascias?
This is again a common feature in dwellings and agricultural buildings throughout the county. The soffited eave and the absence of visible rafters likely bring us forward into the Georgian period, as does the classical design. However, although the windows have ‘Georgian’ glazing, the somewhat heavy weight of the joinery suggests an even more recent period, perhaps early C19. The Flemish bond brickwork is also a C19 or earlier feature, and the low opulence implies a rural location.
But without looking at all those details, we ‘feel’ that the house is from that period after the Napoleonic wars and within the early part of Queen Victoria’s reign; after Austen and closer to Trollope…
Below, you can see the other elevations of the building, where the Victorian stands out with large glazed panes and a verandah overlooking a walled garden, reminding us of the days of empire.
Therefore, it can be seen that the subtleties inform the subconscious. This is true of bigger decisions, such as house layout, to smaller ones, such as whether the edge of an architrave moulding should be beaded or chamfered or whether its sectional ogee curve should be based on an ellipse or a circle.
We love to study and experiment with these little signs.
We see it as our role to translate the anticipated emotional reaction to a design into the realities that bring about those feelings of permanence, childhood security and wonder.
Flint Cottage - Alfriston
This lovely little house nestled in the South Downs National Park village of Alfriston, is a victorian structure built over and integrated with a much older bakery. It used to be one with the adjacent Badgers Tea Room (Excellent cakes!!) and was a well known antique shop and tearoom known as The Urn.
We were able to show through mortar and building method analysis that around the year 1930, the building suffered a poorly thought through renovation which left bedrooms too small for practical use, a very cramped living space and two bathrooms! We were able to acquire permission to add a discreet and sympathetically built extension at the rear. Now we hope you’ll agree that the place is a little more liveable now.
If you fancy a stay take a look here: FLINT COTTAGE
Click the images to enlarge
House for a Country Estate in North Kent
The commission was to take a dilapidated and inefficient early C20 estate managers cottage and remodel it into something comfortable and appropriate for its setting. In addition to the design work, we supplied all joinery including windows doors and the verandah. Elsewhere on this site you will see the stair that went inside.
Click the images to enlarge
West Kent Barn Project
A redundant 1960’s farm was to be demolished and rebuilt to complement the local landscape, buildings and history. David and Julian Swift worked together on the design work from the ground up for Julian Swift Period House Renovations.
A topographical survey was used to create the accurate 3D design which in turn was used to measure the effect of levels and location on each of the buildings proposed. Site plans and building details were also initially taken from this original design
This double cart-gate oak framed aisled barn, traditionally built by the Julian Swift team to our detailed design. Engineer was Nick McAnally. Oak supplied by Swift Oak. The entire oak frame was designed, jointed and built in house. The frame may look older – but this was built in 2017…!
The barn was one of several new buildings including five dwellings a grain barn and biomass facility, and a factory converted from one of the existing steel buildings. Both the factory and the barn are used by Britain’s top bespoke tea company www.blendsforfriends.com. You can order your own bespoke tea blend online and have it delivered worldwide.
Click the images to enlarge
1930s House near Sevenoaks
Complete external restoration of 1930 house near Sevenoaks working for Phil Smith of smith|architects and with Andrew James and Sons who carried out all building heating and decoration including the exquisite ceramic tiling. All external oak work and windows are to our design and manufacture. We’ve used 14mm krypton filled glazing and stainless steel for the opening window casements. We also supplied carpentry work within including wide board beaded T&G manufactured to a relative humidity of around 10%.
Click the images to enlarge
Complete renovation in Nunhead
All new external joinery except the front door where the leaded glass was repaired. Extension added to the back in timber. Bespoke hardware, joinery, plaster coving all made by us.
Click the images to enlarge
Barn conversion screens and windows
Designed and made for Julian Swift Period House Renovations. Note the steam bent glazing bars and beads on the arched windows.
Click the images to enlarge
