Real home: a contemporary wooden annexe to replace a garage

Jeremy and Jane Walwin replaced their old garage with a cube-shaped annexe for the extra space they needed

Amelia Smith
By
published

As Jeremy and Jane Walwin’s children had left their 16th century home in Somerset, they needed an annexe to accommodate their children and their partners on special occasions. They also wanted more space for their hobbies, such as Jane’s love of silversmithing, and a safe place to store Jeremy’s sports cars.

They couple originally planned on adding an ordinary room above their existing garage, but when they saw their architect’s plans, they soon fell in love with this unusual annexe design. The boxy, cedar-clad structure was designed by architect Nigel Humphrey, and is affectionately called The Cube.

Find out how they created it, then browse through more real home transformations and learn more about extending a house. Find out, too, how to add an annexe to your home.

cube_exterior

The annexe is such an improvement in size, shape and practicality compared to their old leaky garage. The Red cedar cladding is from Benchmark timber, the glass porch is from Optigen Engineering

The three-storey build features a mezzanine level which has been split into two sleeping areas, reached by ladders. It also houses a living area with kitchenette, separate shower room, a hobby room and extra storage space.

wooden_ladder_in_livingroom

The coffee table is from Acorn Upcycling, for a similar modular sofa, try Ligne Roset.and for a similar wooden wall clock, try Zazzle

Sitting room in the cube annex

Plywood plays a big part in the interior. The wall and floor is supplied by Latham Timber and the ladders are from Mike Barber Carpentry. The wood burning stove gives a cosy feel, and is from Sandpits Heating Centre. The triple-glazed wooden windows are from Green Building Store

Project notes

The owners: Jeremy Walwin, the owner of Ellenbray, a toy and stationary shop, and his wife, Jane, live in the main house. They are often visited by their three children, Sophie, Daniel and Jessica

The property: A multi-purpose annexe belonging to a four-bedroom, 16th-century detached house in Mendip, Somerset.

Total project cost: £131,865

Black bathroom in a contemporary annexe

This stylish shower room really makes the most of the small space. The suite is from Quality Bathrooms & Kitchens, and the Stardust grey hard quartz and resin tiles are from Topps Tiles

wooden_dining_room

This kitchen table has been recycled, the chairs are from Habitat, for a similar storage unit try Made.com

home_office

Jane now has  a dedicated space for her silversmithing hobby, which makes the most of their countryside views. The yellow chair is from John Lewis, the yellow lamp is from Homesense, and the desk is from Mike Barber Carpentry

wooden_shelves

These built-in shelves offer maximum storage, making the most of the small space, from Mike  Barber Carpentry

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Amelia Smith
Amelia Smith
Content Editor

After joining Real Homes as content producer in 2016, Amelia has taken on several different roles and is now content editor. She specializes in style and decorating features and loves nothing more than finding the most beautiful new furniture, fabrics and accessories and sharing them with our readers. As a newbie London renter, Amelia’s loving exploring the big city and mooching around vintage markets to kit out her new home.