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AWARDS - Best Traditional Self-Build
Can't find what your looking for? Our 'Ask the Expert' Q&A archive has hundreds of questions, all answered by our in-house experts, so click here to see if your question has already been answered.
Learn more about the houses short listed for the Reader’s Choice Awards 2009 in the ‘Best Traditional Self-Build’ category, watch films of our three short listed houses and VOTE for your favourite!
- Traditional Baronial style self-build in the Highlands -
- A DIY Self-build in Cambridgeshire -
- An Oak framed traditional style self-build in Cheshire -
Share your thoughts, comments and questions here and don’t forget to cast your VOTE!
More great houses today! They're all lovely. The castle is extraordinary although I'm not sure I could live in such a huge house - imagine the cleaning! It might be a bit over the top for me I think.
The house in Cheshire is so homely, I can imagine lots of cosy winter nights in!
Beautiful garden in the DIY build and lovely views from the bedroom. They've really thought about how they live day to day and designed the perfect house for them. Personally I love timber frame so the oak frame build in Cheshire is my favourite.
The baronial house is a little too much for daily life although beautifully finished, the architect is right it looks like it's been there for years and years. Great for parties I bet!
Wow! It's so dramatic, what a fantastic place in such a lovely part of the country.
It matches the old tower exactly - you really couldn't tell it was a new build.
The other two homes are also excellent but the baronial highland home does it for me.
Traditional style homes are not really my cup of tea, but the timber frame home in Cheshire is really lovely.
@Julie Edwards - I agree with you, it does look really homely and cosy, especially with all the exposed beams.
The Scottish castle is a strange one. Much as I admire the ostentacious nature of it all, I really don't think I could live there. But it is certainly a great achievement.
It looks like I'm alone in liking the Cambridgeshire property.
I can see the appeal of the other two, but I really like the dark cladding of this house, and the way it sits so well in its surroundinsg.
I also like the downstairs layout, particularly the little reading nook in the living room. I think of the three traditional homes it's the one with the most contemporary feel.
I'll be interested to see who wins this round. Suppose I'll find out on friday.
Am lucky enough to be also doing a self build house on the site of John and Janets old house across the lane so will be able to view this stunning house every day- the sunsettting is something to be seen! They have taken so much care to ensure that old techniques have been used and quality craftsmen have been able to display their talents- attention to detail has been very important to create a superb finish - even down to John handstaining each door knob in his kitchen to compliment the oak! It also has an incredibly welcoming feel- a real home! Louise A
We've known of the Warrens' oak-framed house at some of its stages - from an idea that was developed and guided over the years until eventually it has become their home. Throughout, they have been determined to do the thing properly, with nothing bogus, and with old and modern features sitting together in comfort. The house is as pleasing in its tiny details as in its setting.
It's so good to see a dream truly realised.
Yes there are some lovely properties that have made it into the final categories - one thing I don't understand is how can Oakwrights sponsor the competition and be allowed to enter it as well. The self build in Cheshire is one of theirs but surely there should be some rules against them sponsoring the competition and their designs being allowed to enter - surely there's some bias there and I notice that one of their designs won last year as well! The BBC wouldn't be allowed to sponsor a Television awards and enter it!!
Just to set the record straight, as I have already commented on another section of the forum, our oak framed house in Cheshire was not designed by Oakwrights.
It was designed by our architect, Eleanor Hall, in long discussions with us. We then contacted three companies to tender for providing the oak frame. Oakwrights were the successful bidders.
Thanks to all who voted for us.
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