New beginnings

Howard and Denise Horsman relished the challenge of renovating and extending their Georgian house in Devon after years of living abroad

WORDS JANE CRITTENDEN PHOTOS RICHARD DOWNER

THE HORSMAN FILE

NAMES Howard Denise Horsman

OCCUPATIONS Retired

LOCATION Devon

TYPE OF BUILD Renovation extension

STYLE Georgian with contemporary addition

CONSTRUCTION METHOD Brick block extension

PROPERTY SIZE 3.75 acres

LAND COST £800,000

BOUGHT 2013

HOUSE SIZE 420m² (incl. 100m² extension)

PROJECT COST £650,000

PROJECT COST PER M2 £1,548

TOTAL COST £1,450,000

BUILDING WORK COMMENCED February 2014

BUILDING WORK TOOK 15 months (main construction work)

CURRENT VALUE £1,500,000

When Howard Horsman retired from his job overseas in the oil industry, he and Denise (his wife) had the pick of the country in choosing where to live. “We had a home in Surrey, but we weren’t tied to this area or anywhere else,” he says. “Primarily we wanted a large dwelling with uninterrupted views.” The move was to be a new beginning for the Horsmans, who in many ways were putting down roots after years of living in a mix of rented and owned properties. Now that they had time on their hands, they were keen to find a project that they could both sink their teeth into.

As they had no limitations on where they might start this new chapter, the couple spent a year on the hunt for the perfect abode, considering houses across the country. They eventually earmarked 10 dwellings to view in Devon. “We drove down and saw this one first,” says Howard. “The views across the open countryside towards Dartmoor were fantastic and the building was secluded, yet close to the town. It had masses of potential, so we put in an offer a couple of days later and it was accepted as we drove back to Surrey.”

The Georgian property was built in 1842 and stands within a stunning 3.75 acres of garden and woodland. However, it was in a poor state, with single glazing, no insulation and old electrics and plumbing. The surroundings were completely overgrown and the second floor was virtually derelict, with asbestos internal walls, no carpets and spaces open to the rafters – which delighted the Horsmans. “The rooms have large proportions, with ceilings over 3m high,” he says. “We knew we could make the house our home, but we didn’t realise quite how much ripping apart we’d have to do along the way.”