We are extremely pleased with our recently constructed building.

Challenge — renovate a substantial, stone-built 1880s farmhouse largely untouched since the 1950s to meet more efficient, comfortable living standards. House accommodation comprised; kitchen, shower room, 3 public rooms, 5 bedrooms, box room, bathroom, pantry, storage room.

Construction — The house is traditional stone construction, with wooden framing, lathe and plaster walls and slate tiles. Key to the renovation was to maintain the traditional external Scottish architecture and interior features while updating the services and living spaces to meet modern living standards.

Issues — the existing layout had one bathroom on the half-stair, which was also used as a hallway to a bedroom. The "extension" rooms had low ceilings and were used primarily for storage. The kitchen was small and dark. The house was cold and damp throughout with a variety of different windows from original sash windows to 1980s PVC double glazing.

Renovation — The layout was redesigned to provide for a larger open-plan kitchen/dining room. An upper floor bedroom was split to create two bathrooms (one en-suite). The ceilings in the “extension” were removed to expose the solid wood beams as a feature. The existing bathroom and adjoining rooms were redesigned to provide for a bedroom, bathroom and sitting room. All wiring, plumbing and heating systems were removed and renewed. Substantial insulation was provided, without impacting the internal features. All windows were replaced with wooden framed, double glazing, to provide consistency and insulation throughout the house. The plans and supervision was provided by Mantilla Home Design and all building, joinery and construction by MacGillivray Construction.

Result — The accommodation now comprises; spacious open plan kitchen dining room, sitting room, office, toilet, pantry, mudroom, laundry and utility room, and upstairs; four bedrooms, three bathrooms, box room and a small sitting area.

Extensive work on repairing and conserving the original features, materials, cornices, ceilings, exposed original wooden beams, use of wood on window sills, replacement of all windows into wooden ones, stripping and refinishing the wooden floors, renovation of the original fireplaces found behind the walls and complimenting use of antique and modern lighting has been an imaginative adaptation of the past to enhance the future.

— Bernardo Mantilla Architect - Matilla Home Design