How to renovate an old cottage for easy weekends away

Brancaster, in North Norfolk, is a three-hour drive from London.

Our clients have a special affection for the area and purchased a small, semi-derelict cottage that required renovation.

Imagine a small house nestled by the salt marshes and creeks, boasting a bay window that gazes out towards the North Sea.

We restored the building, originally a chicken house, and upgraded its services to create a more sustainable weekend retreat.

Restoring Character, Upgrading Comfort

A new plywood staircase now connects the two floors. We situated the bedrooms and shower room on the ground floor and the living area upstairs to make the most of the stunning sea view.

The interior design is based on a very limited colour palette and a few pieces of furniture, both vintage and new.

In the living area, a 1957 Paulistano chair, designed by Brazilian modernist architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha for the São Paulo Tennis Club, and a coffee table by Isamu Noguchi complement a new large sofa covered in orange felt and mouth-blown hanging lights..

A bespoke kitchen caters for both quick snacks and romantic dinners.

A calm interior palette inspired by Norfolk’s landscape, with furniture by modern masters.

The colours and textures of the beautiful North Norfolk coast inspires the materials' palette, giving a unique sense of place to the cottage.

The landscape is echoed in the chalky white plaster, carved oak, and moss-green kitchen.

Reflective black tiles mimic the play of the sun on the sea and the marshes.

The cottage is now a welcoming little haven. It's perfect after a week in London or a day spent canoeing on the creeks.

Our clients don’t mind the traffic to get there every weekend!