Renovation of this 17th century cottage was a task of conservation and reduction. Multiple layers of wallpaper, damp carpets, and cement-based plasters are removed to reveal a carcass of loadbearing Cotswold stone with elm beams and lintels.

Previously owned by a hoarder, a complete clear out and reconfiguration of the layout was necessary­. Partition walls are taken down to relieve tight spaces. On the upper floor, an additional access is gained to the raised garden at the rear.

The stone walls were repointed with a local lime mortar, a thick lime and hemp insulating plaster was used on the interior walls. An uneven floor was levelled, damp proofed, and insulated, then finished with porcelain and white quarry tiles.

The exposed joists were painted white and insulated with sheep’s wool. The existing timber floors were refurbished and finished with natural oil and painted white. The original elm lintels and beams were left exposed with a natural oiled finish. As daylight is limited due to the small window apertures a bright limewash finishes the walls­ .

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