readers’ homes
CONTEMPORARY GEORGIAN
Tiffany and Martin Sparrow built their elegant Georgian-style home overlooking the cricket green in a picturesque Surrey village
WORDS DEBBIE JEFFERY
Creating wide borders to either side of the entrance canopy allows planting to soften the rendered blockwork facade
THE OLD HOUSE
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There were so many highs during the build and now, whenever we return home, we feel extremely lucky to be here
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Alexandra Hull, from Back to Front Exterior Design Consultancy, designed the main entrance’s lead roof supported on ornate ironwork columns
The self build has an uncluttered rendered facade, shallow-pitched natural slate roof, and tall timber sash windows
PHOTOS BACK TO FRONT EXTERIOR DESIGN CONSULTANCY
The house name was all that Tiffany and Martin Sparrow kept of the detached four-bedroom property they bought in 2018, overlooking a village green in the heart of the Surrey Hills. “My dream to own a Georgian house beside a cricket pitch seemed impossible at first,” says Tiffany. “We had been living in London and wanted a garden for the children, but every time we found somewhere we liked, the sale fell through.”
Martin had experience of renovating some flats in London, which he took on at the same time as building up his technology business. “We’re both obsessed with this location, so after viewing several properties in Surrey we were amazed when this house came up.” “It directly overlooks the square on the village cricket green at the end of a row of cottages, and we immediately loved the setting.” Initially, Martin and Tiffany planned to extend, creating enough space for the family. “At the very least, we felt sure we could get permission for a two-storey side extension, with an extra bedroom upstairs and another reception room downstairs,” says Tiffany. “While the plans were being drawn up we got tenants to live there, who are now some of our best friends, and we rented elsewhere.” Gaining planning permission in London had always proved extremely difficult, with simple alterations to flats taking over a year to receive approval. Tiffany and Martin were therefore amazed when consent was granted immediately for their proposed two-storey extension, despite the sensitive location of the house within an area of outstanding natural beauty.