Rose Cottage, Devon

The proposed repair and adaptation of a Grade II listed cottage in King’s Nympton, combining conservation of its historic fabric with practical improvements for contemporary living.

A repositioned staircase creates two independently accessed bedrooms and brings bathroom facilities into the main house. Original elm floorboards, timber joists and surviving lath-and-plaster ceilings are retained and repaired, while the inglenook fireplace is reinstated and a vaulted main bedroom reveals the roof’s form.

The existing outbuilding is adapted and modestly extended to provide a home office and garden room. Repairs to cob and stone walls, breathable woodfibre insulation and lime finishes improve comfort while respecting traditional construction. Oak framing, timber cladding and a metal roof complement a replacement entrance porch, with curved walls taking their cue from the cottage’s historic bread oven.