No strangers to major building projects, Kevin and Michelle Wood have successfully completed their first self build to create a modern family home

WORDS & PHOTOS KATY DONALDSON

The external materials palette features zinc boarding, white render and slate tiles

Kevin Wood is a born and bred Whitstable man. He has lived, worked and played in or near the seaside town his whole life. The family business, WM Foad Removals, is also based there. Kevin’s wife, Michelle, was born in Belgium and moved to the UK when she was 14. However, over the years she has developed a love for the area, too. Having already undertaken several renovations, the couple were not put off by the prospect of tackling another project themselves. Never ones to repeat themselves, they were eager to try their hand at designing a house from scratch. Neither works in the construction industry, but hard work and determination – along with careful research – have helped them to realise their bespoke home.

The Woods’ three children, Ella, Toby and Taylor, had already endured several moves to rentals and interim properties, as well as the upheaval of renovations over the years.erefore, Michelle and Kevin were keen to create a fantastic home that could accommodate all the family’s needs and make up for long periods of nomadic living amidst building projects. With a site already in the bag, the couple sold their previous abode and moved into rental accommodation. However, when the deal for their chosen plot fell through at the last minute, the pair were on the lookout for an alternative opportunity.

Lucky find

It was at this point that Kevin came across a rundown property for sale, just a few miles from his hometown. The site lay adjacent to land where his grandfather had kept pigs during the war and where his father had played as a boy, so it tugged at his heartstrings. It came with a barn, plus a large plot and glorious views across farmland to the sea in the distance – but it was far from perfect. The existing dwelling sat right by the road and part of the land had agricultural status rather than residential. There were restrictive covenants that would need to be resolved, too. However, the couple decided to forge ahead and sealed the deal on the purchase