Favorites

Floor Plan of Kitchen in the Woods by A Small Studio

The family keeps a pair of binoculars in the sitting room to watch birds visiting the feeders and fruit trees in the garden. “We’ve even had a shy woodpecker visit us,” says architect Helena Rivera. “During winter months foxes have used our garden to train their newly born cubs, and squirrels and pigeons like the fact we don’t kick them out. We needed to make this project work without interrupting and detracting the wildlife which is a big part of our lifestyle.”

Vitsoe shelving was chosen for the kitchen to echo the use throughout the main space. “Continuing this furniture into the kitchen helps to tie the two spaces together,” explains architect Helena Rivera.

The green roof is a 20cm-thick wildlife sedum blanket carpeted in yellow flowers that attract bees. “Green roofs play an important role as pollinating surfaces,” explains architect Helena Rivera.

The window in the kitchen that overlooks the garden is intentionally free of any structure, with the small ventilation openings discretely located to the side. This ensures the view is uninterrupted and the woodlands become part of the interior.

Access into the garden is through the side of the kitchen and not the rear. This means the rear is protected for wildlife and the family do not have to go through the garden to access the BBQ and hard landscaping.

The children's bedroom with a pullout storage area.

An old cistern found on the original site is now a black concrete plunge pool.

The original 16th century stone walls are left exposed in the kitchen.

A clean-lined bathroom of stone and concrete.

A dialogue between ancient and contemporary can be seen in the bedroom.

A wisteria-shared courtyards and garden with a dining area.

The renovation included new skylights.

A double-sided Venetian plaster fireplace links the home's two living rooms.