Project description
The Piggery is a converted 1870s farm building. It perfectly showcases the versatility of timber windows and doors with contemporary shapes and a striking dark grey colour inside and out. It is an unusual choice but one that works exceptionally well.
The Piggery is on Rosie Hodgson’s family farm in rural East Yorkshire and the place the former New York nanny played in as a child.
The Piggery has been used for all sorts as well as housing pigs. I remember watching baby pheasants being reared in the barn as a child. I grew up here with my brothers and sisters just like our mum did.
Rosie Hodgson
Having experienced life among the hustle and bustle of New York City, the covid lockdown was the catalyst for Rosie returning to her East Yorkshire roots.
“I realised I was missing out on precious time with my nephews and nieces who were growing up quickly. I had worked for 9 years as a nanny looking after other people’s children and I wanted to be with my own family.”
Coming Home
During a visit home, Rosie mentioned to her parents that she wanted to convert the delapidated former Piggery into her new home. She had some experience of renovations whilst living in America when she converted a property in Greenwich Village. This gave her the confidence to manage a project back home on the farm. Her parents didn’t think the building would be big enough to accommodate the two bedroom accommodation that Rosie had in mind. She was to prove them wrong!
Hardwood timber windows and Juliet Balconies
Working with her architect, Rosie wanted to retain as many of the original openings as possible and to embrace the shape of the roof. The hardwood timber windows upstairs follow the line of the roof with a sloping shape set in a Juliet balcony style with railings. A set of three tilt and turn windows in the master bedroom are one of the architectural highlights of the building. Perfectly framing the views of open farmland beyond, Rosie is able to roll over in bed and see straight across the landscape. Finished in a colour to match Farrow and Ball’s “Railings”, they are a unique feature.
The industrial lines and angles of the windows are softened by elegant, powder blue drapes made by Rosie’s mum, Gill. Also, the country style decor lends a further feminine touch with pink linens, florals and cottage style furniture.
Simple timber windows and door designs
Downstairs, the open plan kitchen/dining/living area embraces the views further with a bank of timber casement windows. These span the front and side elevations. Rosie chose two sets of large glass double entrance doors as well. She has kept the designs simple and architectural without ornamental beading and fancy glass downstairs. This works perfectly with the original beams and metal railings on the mezzanine, made by a local blacksmith.
Keeping it local and eco-friendly
Above the entrance door at the front of the building is a bespoke sign “The Piggery”, made from reclaimed timber. The project employed local tradespeople throughout. Rosie has ensured they have reused original bricks and beams to ensure it is as sustainable as possible. The building’s green credentials extend to an air source heat pump too.
At the back of the property, there is a useful stable door that opens onto the boot room area and cloakroom. This property packs a lot into the space which the family describes as a tardis.
Kirby Joinery installed the wooden windows and doors throughout. They are the envy of Rosie’s parents who recently converted their own barns to live in.
“Mum and dad love my new windows and doors, I think they wish they had known about George Barnsdale themselves.”
Karen from Kirby Joinery, managed the process, taking the original drawings and liasing with the George Barnsdale design team. All of the products were manufactured in the Lincolnshire factory and supplied to Kirby for installation. They are Secured by Design and PAS-24 compliant.
I would 100% recommend George Barnsdale, the aftercare has been great and I absolutely love the windows.
Rosie Hodgson
The feminine touches throughout the home sit happily alongside the original beams and bold, slightly industrial-style fenestration. Living next door to her mother, creator of Flowers From the Farm, there’s never a shortage of fresh flowers to soften any hard lines. As a matter of fact, “Flowers from the farm” supplied the flowers for King Charles’ coronation, so Rosie is in excellent company.
All around the home are reminders of Rosie’s career and her love for her nephews and nieces. They sleep over regularly in the special mezzanine area she has created for them. The Piggery is a perfect example of an old agricultural building being brought back to life as a stunning home.
