3,733 Country Foyer Design Photos

Polly Eltes

Nestled into a hillside, this timber-framed family home enjoys uninterrupted views out across the countryside of the North Downs. A newly built property, it is an elegant fusion of traditional crafts and materials with contemporary design. Our clients had a vision for a modern sustainable house with practical yet beautiful interiors, a home with character that quietly celebrates the details. For example, where uniformity might have prevailed, over 1000 handmade pegs were used in the construction of the timber frame. The building consists of three interlinked structures enclosed by a flint wall. The house takes inspiration from the local vernacular, with flint, black timber, clay tiles and roof pitches referencing the historic buildings in the area. The structure was manufactured offsite using highly insulated preassembled panels sourced from sustainably managed forests. Once assembled onsite, walls were finished with natural clay plaster for a calming indoor living environment. Timber is a constant presence throughout the house. At the heart of the building is a green oak timber-framed barn that creates a warm and inviting hub that seamlessly connects the living, kitchen and ancillary spaces. Daylight filters through the intricate timber framework, softly illuminating the clay plaster walls. Along the south-facing wall floor-to-ceiling glass panels provide sweeping views of the landscape and open on to the terrace. A second barn-like volume staggered half a level below the main living area is home to additional living space, a study, gym and the bedrooms. The house was designed to be entirely off-grid for short periods if required, with the inclusion of Tesla powerpack batteries. Alongside underfloor heating throughout, a mechanical heat recovery system, LED lighting and home automation, the house is highly insulated, is zero VOC and plastic use was minimised on the project. Outside, a rainwater harvesting system irrigates the garden and fields and woodland below the house have been rewilded.

Large entrance hallway

Upon entry, we are instantly lured to the stunning picture window at the end of the hall, and the warmth of timber floorboards which flow through the main hall and into the new addition. Clever use of glazing on opposite sides of the hall forms a link between old and new, whilst embracing natural light and external views. The hallway leads to a delightful open plan living, kitchen + dining space, overlooking the gorgeous tree lined backdrop.

automated entry gate for ease of access and black recycled bitumen driveway on steep property, plus post-and-rail fencing along property line

This custom gate sets the tone for this unique renovation which embraces its bush setting in every way imaginable.

Photo credit: The Secret Drawer Neckar is double fumed to produce a dark, rich brown floor, and with its herringbone pattern it creates an on-trend look. It is unfinished 2 ply and has a square shoulder profile.

Boot Room www.johnevansdesign.com (Photography by Billy Bolton)

This lovely entrance leaves plenty of room for a great selection of Hunters Wellies! Styling Colin Cadle Photography, Photo Styling Jan Cadle. www.colincadle.com

With a busy working lifestyle and two small children, Burlanes worked closely with the home owners to transform a number of rooms in their home, to not only suit the needs of family life, but to give the wonderful building a new lease of life, whilst in keeping with the stunning historical features and characteristics of the incredible Oast House.

Darren Chung