From old sawmill to family home

Dream project

Caroline Farrant, 44, and her husband Rupert, 43, have converted a sawmill into a stunning home

by Annabel Foley

Property details, photographs: Donna Eaves

Type of house: Four-bedroom converted sawmill

Location: Hamlet of Little Bayham, East Sussex

How much we bought it for: £239,148

The cost of the conversion  and renovation: £511,522

What it\'s worth now: £1.5m

First impressions

Living in The Lodge, a small cottage situated at the entrance of Bayham Abbey estate in East Sussex, the Farrants drove past the old sawmill most days. Whether heading off to work or taking their children, Ruby, nine, and Rex, eight to school, they loved the look of it and dreamt of creating a family home there.

The house used to be in a field, now a tree-lined gravel driveway leads up to the entrance.

Fabulous features

Spectacular kitchen

Fixtures and fittings

One way the couple were able to save money was to source some items themselves. Caroline got doors in Denmark, and with 17 needed inside the building, they couldn\'t afford to be extravagant.

Interior inspiration

The idea to have a woodburner in the centre of the living room came from a Terence Conran book that featured homes in Switzerland. The plinth provides a place where people can sit - or a small stage where ‘anyone under the age of 14 can dance\', says Caroline. The room is big enough for Ruby to turn cartwheels, whereas Rex prefers to relax on the large coffee table.

Upstairs, downstairs

Under the eaves

Sloping timber ceilings give the bathroom and bedrooms upstairs a cosy feel.

Reviving the roof

The biggest expense of this renovation project was restoring the roof, although they were able to reuse 60 per cent of the roof tiles.

A lesson in style

Caroline has learnt a lot from this project. ‘I now know that it\'s possible to find and create your dream home. As a result I\'ve started running a property search, interior and garden design business from home. I think I can pass on what I know to others.\'

To contact durlings, Caroline\'s property business, call 01892 552500 or visit www.durlings.co.uk.

Getting permission

If you\'re thinking of converting a property, read our handy guide to getting permission for a conversion, click here...