Transforming 'Cafe le Fort'

We are about to start renovations on our little fifty square meter cottage - which some of you will know previously as 'Cafe le Fort' - which is tucked away in the pretty little Hamlet of Fort Nottingham, in just under one acre of garden, surrounded by a nature reserve, pretty meadows and trickling streams. The views face onto fields of horses, at its best during fowling time, when these wobbly legged beauties grace us with their presence.
A couple of years ago we felled some of our own trees, mainly Deodar, but also some Cyprus, both of which give the most amazing scent which is a natural deterrent for insects. The Deodar is the hardest of the soft woods and is an excellent structural wood, having been used for builds, some of which are still standing some three hundred years later. You can imagine my delight when I read this, and realised i'd found an inexpensive way to add an additional 90 sqm extension to our cottage, using our sixteen cubes of planked wood. Originally we thought of a timber home extension which would be bolted to our existing cottage, but after a visit to Dirt Traders, in Curries Post, i was so excited to see their new shop, a Wood & Iron building that looks like a little historic building. I'm now sold on the concept of combining our shuttered, Frenchie style, cottage with a wood & iron addition which will house two mezzanine bedrooms and a spacious lounge with folding doors spilling out into the refreshing views.
The current building will have two rooms knocked into one to create a simple kitchen/diner (I've already purchased a trendy black Smeg fridge) with the main en suite bedroom and a separate bathroom, next door.

Once complete we see this as the perfect little spot for parents of children at one of the boarding schools in the Midlands. A little piece of God's garden in which to appreciate time with family and friends.

Building starts in two weeks time, so watch this this space for further updates and pic uploads