Di and Marc Jennings spotted the potential to turn a higgledy-piggledy cottage into a modern, stylish home
Words MONICA LOUDON Photography GAP INTERIORS/MARK NICHOLSON
Country living and open spaces had always been a preference for Di and Marc Jennings, but like a lot of families, they moved to a town when their children reached an age when it was easier for them to be connected to their friends and after-school activities. So it was while living in the centre of North Berwick that the couple heard about a gem of a property a few miles away that was about to come on the market. ‘The timing was good,’ recalls Di. ‘The children were older and about to leave home, and we were ready to make a move back to the country.’
The property in question was a small cottage set in seven acres of land. ‘The location was ideal, and the six acres of woodland was a dream come true for Marc,’ says Di. ‘The house was actually nothing special, but we knew we could change that and make it how we wanted it.’ A stone bothy in the grounds was an added attraction, so the couple sold up in town and headed for village life, beginning the cottage’s transformation from a cold and draughty house to a cosy and desirable home 18 months later.
‘The cottage – one of three in a row – was a badly planned, badly converted property with just two bedrooms and lots of wasted space, with the aspect facing the wrong way,’ explains Di. So the couple wanted to modernise the house with large open-plan spaces to maximise the incredible views. Their vision was for a simple, clean, uncluttered approach to the décor with white walls and oak floors throughout, complemented with key pieces of furniture, art and collectibles to add colour and interest. ‘We’ve done this all ourselves’, says Di. ‘It’s full of all the things we love, and pieces we have collected over many years.’
The couple lived in the front part of the house, where the existing kitchen, a bedroom, bathroom and small living room met their needs while the back section was sealed off. Marc, who had taken time out from his work to do the build, and a team of his tradespeople set about knocking out all the small rooms to open up where the new living/kitchen/diner would be. Existing small sash windows were removed and replaced with larger, modern glazing to bring in the light and maximise the views even when seated, and bifold doors were installed to
