Will it suit the village? 

I awoke with concerns 15/06/07

I was concerned that the triangular windows and modern front of the house might not be suitable in an Oxfordshire village which treasured its traditional styles. Also how would the neighbours react to living beside such a dramatic building? Would anyone looking for a village house consider such an unusual one?

I doubted whether the large en-suite would be valued more than an extra bathroom as 3 bathroom houses are becoming quite popular. However the galleried hall and light well limits access to the en-suite area by others in the house so this could not easily be subdivided.

I started to take opinions over the weekend. My son-in-law liked the design but shared my concerns. My daughter disagreed and loved the design saying she would love a luxury bathroom. My daughter in Lanzarote said the design was not too modern, unless executed in stainless steel!

Kevin and Sue next door said they liked it very much, so it looks as though I was wrong to worry.

Even so I wrote to the architect to delay submitting the plans for planning until the other neighbour had been consulted on her return next week.

This gives me a week to take some more opinions.

Viewpoints 20/06/07

Our daughter suggested a similar house had been built in Long Crendon, an attractive nearby village. We visited and took some photos you can see below.

It was evident that a traditional village with much stone and thatch could also blend with modern features and a very modern house.

However we needed to know what made our village so attractive and the styles that were incorporated. We are on the edge of the village so you would not be expecting a cute village-green house anyway. We took the photos below.

Starting at the Millennium Hall, the style chosen by the parish, the church is the focus at the bottom of the village. Close by are two small closes and opposite them the side of the hotel looks across a small green. The front of the hotel is traditional but beside it is a very white block bungalow.

As the hill rises some of the most attractive village features appear including the iconic almshouses.

Leaving the village to the North the Brill Road continues with a mixture of quaint thatch, substantial period properties and farmhouses interspersed with basic housing.

I think I am convinced that a good looking building can be an asset and does not have to be tied to traditional styles.