ok I get where you are coming from..

[Sal]

ok, my attitude to older houses is probably a lot more about being practical about living in it, and less romantic about the older features than many here (the words 'practical' and 'romantic' are not intended to start anything.. i just can't think of better ones right now), and no doubt many think I'm a philastine for some of my views (such as 'they had cowboy builders in the olden days too') but...

well since we first viewed this house we have always wondered how on earth planning permission was obtained for a neighbouring house... all the houses are of an age around here.. and smack in the middle is this new-build - sticking out like a sore thumb. Anyway.. I'm sitting there... drinking coffee with said new neighbour when she mentioned in passing that her house was a barn conversion. well, looked at the thickness of the walls and saw it. but that was all that gave it away.. its rendered nice and flat on the outside... all the walls inside are smooth and new and the windows have 'wood coloured' upvc windows.... I find it hard to believe there wasn't some character in the orginal form....

 

[Nemesis]

This is quite an interesting article, although the '12 things planners won't allow' is sadly more in the realsm of fantasy than reality.


http://www.findaproperty.com/displaystory.aspx?storyid=6554&edid=00&salerent=0


http://www.findaproperty.com/displaystory.aspx?storyid=6100&edid=00&salerent=0

Perceived problems:

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.5839


EH has just issued guidance on this very subject:

http://www.helm.org.uk/server/show/nav.10600


And the SAVE book of what not to do and what's not so bad is still available at a bargain price.

 

[Penners]

I'm not sure what you're saying here, Sal. Are you telling us that you are a convert to the value of conserving the original fabric and "features" of period properties?

If so, then welcome to the fold!

However, I don't think you'll find many people on this forum who are advocating a period lifestyle within their period buildings. Conservation and modern comforts are not mutually exclusive. The main theme that underlies all of the views expressed here is: don't destroy historic fabric. And it's perfectly possible to remain true to this principle while making your home comfortable and beautiful.

 

[Nemesis]

From one of the above articles:

http://www.findaproperty.com/displaystory.aspx?storyid=6100&edid=00&salerent=0


The demand for dereliction is a curious feature of the British property market. Fuelled in part by spiralling house prices, it's also driven by more romantic impulses that seem deeply rooted in the national psyche.
"The attraction lies in the romance of the old," says Adam Wilkinson of Save Britain's Heritage. "The pride and satisfaction to be found in restoring an old building is immense. Often people spend a great deal of time and money on a pet project. It takes patience and perseverance. Sometimes it can take many years."

Adam knows very well the extent of the dereliction here... and how much patience, perserverance time and money we have spent... and have yet to spend... but yes, there is pride and satisfaction in trying to treat a historic building gently. It may mean some adjustments to be made to the way you live, and an acceptance that it isn't a modern house, but if that's what people want I suggest that they buy one!

 

[NT]

I suspect it has as much to do with the very high cost of housing as anything.

NT

 

[Nemesis]

I've never found it a cheap and simple option...

 

[Sal]

I'm not sure what you're saying here, Sal. Are you telling us that you are a convert to the value of conserving the original fabric and "features" of period properties?

If so, then welcome to the fold!

I suppose I'm saying I'm a *bit* of a convert The way I see it - if you happen across say.. a 13c house with everything untouched, and just as it was back then - then it should be preserved - in a museum sort of way, as a piece of our history. However, alot of houses - like mine have seen changes thoughout their entire lives, and the changes I make are part of that on going story. its a sort of balance between realistic living and keeping the character and history intact.
You could make an argument that the DWB were introduced when the house was built and therefore are part the history. You could argue that many old houses were simply damp when they were first built- and people just lived with damp a few centuries ago. Clearly there is a sensible line there somewhere.. and everyone would agree (I hope) that the damp and DWB can go now... everyone's line is going to be in a slightly different place though.

and this barn conversion with its barratt-box overcoat - well they crossed my line, its a shame that so much character is just lost.

 

[Moo]

Most barn conversions seem to end up looking like new-builds, don't they? (But there's one in south Norfolk that doesn't, which proves that the Barratt Look is easily avoidable.)

 

[Penners]

"The attraction lies in the romance of the old," says Adam Wilkinson of Save Britain's Heritage.

I'd never considered myself as having romance, but now I'm rethinking my image. Perhaps I'll abandon the toupee and the Botox injections.

 

[Nemesis]

You are only envious as you weren't described by the Architect's Journal as the 'heritage heart-throb from S***'... which he's not ever going to be allowed to live down!

Still, one day he will be old too.

Toupees - nah, better to be a an upfront, honest come-out baldy. Much more sexy.

And as for comb-overs...

 

[Penners]

You are only envious as you weren't described by the Architect's Journal as the 'heritage heart-throb from S***'... which he's not ever going to be allowed to live down!

Not being an AJ reader, I can't say I know who you're talking about.

 

[Nemesis]

"The attraction lies in the romance of the old," says Adam Wilkinson of Save Britain's Heritage.



The one who describes being old as romantic.


Hmmmm....

 

[Penners]

Dare we speculate that Adam has a few miles on the clock himself? :wink:

 

[Nemesis]

Oooh no - deffo yoof!

 

[Gervase]

Pah! Yoof is hugely over-rated. Mind you, I still wince at a comment from a colleague who, before I'd even turned 40, said in her best Kelvinside brogue, "I'd love to have known you in your prime"!

 

[Nemesis]

Well, now that to add to the eye woes I have a right arm which is only functioning with a great deal of pain and my ability to party all night seems to end at about 9.30, I'm not so sure!

 

[Penners]

Pah! Yoof is hugely over-rated. Mind you, I still wince at a comment from a colleague who, before I'd even turned 40, said in her best Kelvinside brogue, "I'd love to have known you in your prime"!

Are you sure that's what she said? A Kelvinside accent would make it difficult to distinguish between "prime" and "pram".

 

[Moo]

My mother said that she winced a bit when (aged about five) I asked her to "tell me about the olden days when you were young"

 

[Penners]

My mother said that she winced a bit when (aged about five) I asked her to "tell me about the olden days when you were young"

I do sometimes wonder what my children see whn they look at me, nowadays. Do I look ancient, or just the same as I always did?

Bl**dy silly question, eh?!

 

[Nemesis]

I suspect you always looked ancient to them...