Home Style: View to a Home

When Dominic Joyce moved into a farmhouse in East Sussex, he went to extreme measures to solve the issue of the buildings blocking his view of the countryside...

Anyone who has worked in the travel industry for many years is bound to have an innate sense of adventure. This is exactly what led DominicJoyce to take on a mammoth project spanning a decade. In 2010, he moved into a farmhouse down a country track on the edge of a rural East Sussex village, but it wasn’t long until he decided he wanted to do something about the two buildings blocking his views of the stunning open countryside. 

His idea was to buy the derelict brick building and warehouse and transform them into a modern masterpiece, complete with plenty of glass to maximise the stunning scenery. “Eventually I tracked down the owners of the brick barn and plot and managed to buy them in 2011. Then I bought the warehouse in 2013,” said Dominic. 

This, however, was just the beginning of what was to become a very long process. “It is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty so planning was always going to be a challenge,” explained Dominic. “Thinking it would be more likely to get approved, we decided to go for a super-modern design.

“It was turned down so we appealed and it was rejected again. Next, we decided to go for a similar footprint to the existing buildings but witha modern link between the two. For what seemed like nonsensical reasons we were turned down again.” 

Quite by chance, the rules were changed about former commercial premises in a non- residential area which meant Dominic then got permission for the warehouse to be converted into a more modern design in 2020, and then in 2022 they were able to get permissionto convert the brick building. Frustratingly, the finished building is pretty much the one that was applied for and turned down previously! 

HELP AT HAND 

Dominic managed to find a local interior designer, Victoria Allen, who recommended Jeremy from Courts Management for the build. “We were very lucky to find them. They were both very flexible and there was no tutting!” said Dominic. 

Groundwork finally began in September 2022. “We had been told that the older building wouldn’t need underpinning, but it did,” recalled Dominic. “This added to the cost and there were also delays with materials due to Brexit, like the windows and linking roof which came from Germany.” 

The brick building was converted next, followed by the link built to join the two structures. Work was finally completed in January 2024. “I knew we had to orientate the house around the view, which is exceptional,” said interior designer Victoria. “We kept the colour palette simple and details subtle. I think the rooms perfectly frame the views but offer a calm but stylish position from which to enjoy them.” 

HOUSE FOR ALL SEASONS

The completed property features a modern section with a vast open-plan kitchen/dining/living space and a floating staircase leading up to two bedrooms, a main bathroom and an en suite shower room. “I love lying in the slipper bath and looking out at the views,” said Dominic. 

The glass and brick link joining the two structures is a bright and open-plan area featuring sofas, and office space and a pool table. The converted brick building now houses a cosy snug downstairs and two bedrooms and shower room upstairs. 

“It is very much a house for all seasons. The modern building is really sleek and functional whereas the older building is cosier, with darker walls and furnishings,” explained Dominic. 

GOING GREEN 

The house features impressive eco credentials, including an air-source heat pump, sewage bio digester and state-of-the art glazing. “The water that comes out of the bio digester is meant to be drinkable,” stated Dominic. The windows, meanwhile, are self cleaning. 

“They have a special coating which means water just runs off them and leaves no marks.” Dominic also had to have bat, newt and owl surveys done. “There were no newts, but we had to put up owl and bat boxes,” said Dominic. 

Dominic is delighted with the end result. “I am very proud of what I achieved because I am very much an amateur. The planners would have just had it standing there to rot so it’s a joy to have made something of style and substance.” 

Photography: Richard Gadsby / Living4media 

Words: Amy Maynard / Living4media