Set on a vantage point within the small Derbyshire parish of Somersal Herbert and awash with all the unique rustic features that one would expect of an agricultural building dating back to the 18th century, it is easy to see why someone could fall in love with this classic Grade II listed farmhouse.
The features include large structural timbers supporting solid lime ash floors that have become ‘dished’ over, not just years, but centuries of wear. Externally, the walls are formed using a traditional lime mortar mix and handmade bricks (you can tell they are handmade by the finger marks and occasional cat’s paw print). And the people that fell in love, were a certain David and Hilary Morgan.
‘We had been looking for an old farmhouse for quite some years as we wanted a restoration project that would give us not only a unique family home, but also the opportunity to open a guest house’ explains Hilary. ‘One of the factors that made Hill Farm so attractive was all the planning permissions Redesign had already secured on the property’.
To say the farmhouse ‘was in need of a little TLC’ when Redesign first visited the property back in November 2011, would have been either dismissed as ‘estate agent talk’ or just a plain understatement! As can be seen from the photographs below, Hill Farm needed some guardians to save it from ruin, and it needed them now.
James took the lead on the project as Redesign set about turning the house into a comfortable family home whilst conserving and restoring the historical significance of the building.
‘As you will find at most councils, the conservation team were very helpful, although an application for listed building consent can require a lot of information and drawings in order to obtain the permissions you are seeking ‘ explains James. ‘ With Hill Farm we had around thirty individual proposals, this meant we ended up drafting over a hundred drawings – definitely a job for a professional!’
Planning tribulations aside, the restoration is without doubt a resounding success as the photographs below from a recent party to celebrate the resurrection can testify.
The front elevation was completely repointed with traditional lime mortar and new cast iron rainwater goods were installed. The first floor centre window opening has been restored with all the new windows constructed based on Redesign’s historically correct details.
The rear elevation again has been completely repointed and planning permission was gained for additional access through the 1950′s lean to extension which formed the perfect utility and downstairs shower room space.
Internally the transformation is even more astounding as shown here in the front first floor guest room. Permission was gained for an en suite provision, making use of the restored central window while keeping the proportions of the room in balance.
Indeed a high finish has been lavished on all the rooms within the house and the end result is a true testament to Hilary and David’s hard work and shows what can be achieved with the right architect on board.
The journey that Hilary and David have embarked on is a story that cannot really be told in a short blog article such as this. We have not even mentioned such gems as the ground source heat pump that provides all the hot water to the property.
We do have some more photos in our portfolio section but luckily Hilary has been keeping her own comprehensive blog of the restoration that you can visit by clicking here (you may soon even be able to book a night’s accommodation and enjoy a traditional breakfast – Redesign can fully endorse the local sausages on the menu!).
The blog also shows that David any Hilary have not only completely absorbed themselves with the restoration but have welcomed and revelled in a new way of life. And in doing so, what sort of life is it you may ask? Why it is the good life, of course.