Wooden Buildings We Love at DTQ Designs

Tom Raffield’s Steam Bent Home

Tom Raffield’s Cornish Home: A Grand Designs Favourite

Many of you may remember the Grand Designs episode featuring Tom Raffield’s unique Cornish home, which first aired in 2016 to widespread acclaim.

From Gamekeeper’s Lodge to Dream Home

The furniture designer couple purchased a gamekeeper’s lodge set on six acres of woodland on the Trevarno Estate in Cornwall, southwest England, where they also ran their business. As their family grew, they realised that the 44-square-meter, grade II listed cottage, with no central heating, bathroom, or toilet, was no longer suitable.

Determined to build their own home within a limited budget, they began preparing and storing wood from their land shortly after moving in.

Creativity and Budgeting: A 100k Home Challenge

Intent on keeping costs low, the couple aimed to stick to an ambitious £100k budget, undertaking much of the work themselves.

Months of late nights and weekend labour went into the project, but progress stalled when Danielle became ill during her third pregnancy, forcing her to step back from the more labour-intensive tasks.

Despite setbacks, their business continued to grow, and the extra success provided an additional £60k, which allowed them to complete vital landscaping and finishing touches that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.

A Bespoke, Eco-Friendly Masterpiece

It’s easy to see why this home was a favourite with both viewers and Kevin McCloud. The result is a bespoke, unusual, and eco-friendly house that blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings.

The couple’s combined talents in design and careful financial planning made it possible to create a home that is effortlessly stylish, warm, and inviting. Features like sliding pocket doors on the kitchen units hide the sink and shelves, giving the space a clean, minimalist aesthetic.

Celebrating the Beauty of Wood

This house is a showcase for the beauty and versatility of wood, from furniture to structural elements, highlighting how sustainable materials can be both functional and visually striking.

If you haven’t yet seen this Grand Designs Cornwall episode, it’s a must-watch for anyone interested in eco-friendly home design, bespoke wooden furniture, and sustainable living.

The house showcases Tom Raffields' unique sculptural wooden light pieces.

Tom and Danielle’s considerable talents and attention to details no doubt took this project to a level not many would be able to achieve. With a mutual love of design, the couple ended up with a home that is effortlessly cool yet warm and inviting.

The sliding pocked doors on the kitchen units completely hide the kitchen sink and shelves. Making the kitchen appear very minimalist with lovely clean lines.

The beauty of this house really showcases the versatility of wood and all it has to offer.

Definitely an episode to look out for if you haven’t already seen it.

https://www.tomraffield.com