ABSTRACT
The clients were keen amateur archaeologists with an interest in the history of building construction. They wanted the building to appear authentically old, so reclaimed materials were used for the walls and roof. The windows were purpose-made by the contractor to a traditional design known as ‘Yorkshire Sliding Sash’, and the timber spars that made up the frame of each pane were made to an authentic profile. Inside, a real coal fire was seen by the clients as essential, as was the use of oak beams and trimmings. The new timber for the beams was chipped or ‘distressed’ using a traditional woodworking tool called an adze. This gave the appearance of having been felled and hacked into shape by medieval building methods. To achieve all this, it was necessary to add a large extension, but the couple did not want to lose the pleasing scale and proportion of the original cottage.
