THE SITE AND ITS CHALLENGES

The customers brief was to create an outbuilding for use as a Home Business Beauty Salon. It was to consist of a treatment room, waiting area and toilet and sink. 

The new building was to replace an existing timber outbuilding that housed a games room over the years. On first inspection of the site the near derelict timber outbuilding stood on a series of rotten railway sleepers. Upon closer inspection the roof was found to be in good condition and still water tight. When removing some interior wall panels the timber structure was found to be rotten in places and the ceiling was falling apart.

The external shiplap cladding looked tired and needed replacing in certain areas. The windows and door were also rotten. Despite the findings and after a consultation with the build team and the client, we decided against a complete rebuild, as we felt we could bring this origional building back to life by reinforcing the original structure and this would cut down the costs considerably.

IDEAS AND CONCEPTS

It is always tricky when looking at an existing building and deciding on what can be utilised for the new space and what needs to be lost. As the brief was to try and protect as much of the original building as possible, the challenge would be to create an interesting yet useable design with the space we had available.

After sketching out initial ideas and sharing with the client it was easier for us all to work together towards the common goal, having a visual puts the client at ease and helps us create our technical drawings to then build from.

Working sympathetically with the building helped us protect the old features and bring it into the 21st century, a place to work from home, away from home.

THE HUG SOLUTION

The first step was a major reconfiguration of the space.

An oak barn style door creates a warm and sophisticated entrance into a waiting area and changing area/wc. Mosaic floor tiles, oak fixtures and soothing wall colours along with an elegant sofa and refreshment area create a classy relaxing space.

The main treatment room features a treatment bed and built in storage.  Three vertical windows and a french door were added which allowed the clients to enjoy a stunning view across the wide open fields. These windows and door were positioned on the west elevation to allow lots of natural light in as well as creating an incredible view out to the countryside (helping to bring the outside in). The doors opened on to a large decking area where clients could relax and take in the views.

The external cladding was replaced with a shiplap cladding and painted black to keep it traditional in its surroundings. 

The building was renamed ‘The Hideaway’ as the client wanted it to feel like a hidden secret, somewhere to lose yourself in luxury and relaxation for an hour or two.

A home business beauty salon in the garden

Creating the Hideaway was a really enjoyable experience. Saving an old building and repurposing it for a modern use whilst helping the client establish her home business was very rewarding. With exterior and interior design involvement we were able to create a modern useable work space that clients would love and the owner would still feel the old original buildings heartbeat.