Countryside Comfort

By Maya Brenningmeyer Photography provided

McW Design/Architecture

Follyfield in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

When a young couple was looking to relocate closer to their extended family, they set their sights on Follyfield, an 18thcentury traditional stone residence located in a conservation area in Cambridgeshire. Coming from London into the countryside, the homeowners were looking for design that combined their city roots and rural surroundings while also being a functional space for their family.

They called upon Studio McW, a London-based architecture firm, to complete the project. Studio McW dedicated the start of the renovation to adding three extensions to the original home. The largest of the three connecting the main house to the kitchen and living space, Studio McW built the extension from clay bricks to provide a seamless transition between the older and newer buildings. Incorporating modern elements, the kitchen contains black cabinetry, a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and a large concrete kitchen island. The third extension was a garage, built from reclaimed stone and pale timber, and two utility rooms. Both of which remain concealed behind two full-height matte black timber doors.

For Follyfield's guests, a new guest suite was constructed above the garage and utility rooms. The suite is entirely self-contained and features a kitchen and bathroom. These additions give guests a moment of privacy away from the main house.

The home itself is unique due to the mix of original and modern elements, but the flow of the house is what truly sets Follyfield apart. The direction of the construction was purposeful, changing the floor plan into an L-shape. This change was accompanied by a second entrance, allowing visitors coming from the garage or driveway easy entry. The homeowners and their guests can walk right from the entry into the main living spaces; the open concept of these main rooms makes them ideal for entertaining. The kitchen also leads out into Follyfield’s vast gardens. In partnership with Claire Greener Landscapes, Studio McW added a new brick patio and water feature to create an intimate outdoor entertaining space. This area continues below the patio and flows back into the kitchen through sliding glass doors.

Altogether, Follyfield contains five bedrooms, four en suites, a family bathroom, a living room, two utility rooms, a playroom, kitchen, entryway, mudroom and a double garage. The renovations to the home are far from finished, with the second story of the main-home completing later this year. Studio McW also plans to extend the main bedroom suite and formal dining area on the main floor, keeping in mind the goal to maintain as much of the original 18th-century structure as possible. See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.