Renewing an old home without erasing its character
The Reworked Country House demonstrates how a historic residence can be adapted to contemporary living without losing the qualities that define its identity. Rather than replacing the existing architecture, the project focused on reorganising the home around the way its owners wanted to live, while preserving the character that had developed over generations.
The most significant intervention was relocating the kitchen to the centre of the ground floor. Once positioned at the edge of the house, it now forms the social heart of the home, connecting cooking, dining and living into one continuous sequence. This new layout creates a natural flow between spaces, making everyday family life and entertaining equally comfortable.
Equally important was deciding what to preserve. The original fireplace was retained and reinterpreted with a contemporary architectural surround, while centuries-old timber beams remain exposed throughout the interior, celebrating the craftsmanship and history embedded within the building. These existing elements provide authenticity and create a dialogue between old and new.
The ground floor was reorganised to support long-term living. A new primary suite with direct access to the garden allows the owners to live comfortably on a single level, while two guest bedrooms and a private bathroom on the upper floor provide privacy for visiting family and friends.
Material selections balance durability with natural beauty. Taj Mahal quartzite was chosen for the kitchen because it combines the character of natural stone with the resilience required for everyday use. Warm timber, natural stone and carefully detailed bespoke joinery create an interior that feels both timeless and contemporary.
Rather than transforming the house through dramatic architectural gestures, the project succeeds through thoughtful spatial planning, respect for its historic fabric and meticulous detailing. The result is a country home that feels renewed rather than replaced—one where history remains visible while everyday living has been carefully reimagined.
Transcending good looks, the primary design intervention was to create a different layout where the kitchen becomes the centerpiece. Specifical elements, like the centuries-old beams and fireplace, simply imposed themselves as non-negotiable parts of the upgraded future
In the renovated decor, they undeniably add authenticity and charm to the house. On both sides of the cooking area, justly called
the heart of the home, invitations for living arise from the dining area or opposing lounge area. A dark green wall around the existing fireplace houses the TV, morphing into a wall-mounted open cabinet that extends to the windows.
A confident intervention that visually connects the intimacy experienced inside the house with the garden. In the other part of the home, the luxurious master bedroom has many pleasant details in wood, including the custom walk-in closet. The lovely picture is completed by the adjacent bathroom area. The mirrored design, centered around the freestanding bathtub, offers a calming vibe to start and end
every single day.
Dining and lounging happens on either side of the central kitchen .
