Self-builders tell of their oak-framed dream home

There is clearly something addictive about building your own home as Wendy and Steven Hunter know, having built two Leominster-based Border Oak homes back to back and already thinking about what and where the third might be.

"When we first went on this journey," says Wendy, "We were drawn to the oak frames, of course, because they're such a beautiful feature of a home: a real show piece. And we love the fact that Border Oak is a family-run business and they're lovely people to work with. We love what they're doing for the community, especially creative director Merry Albright.

An additional catalyst for the couple taking the self build route is provided by the fact that Steven's father was in the building trade, "It was obviously in Steven's DNA so it was always the way we were going to go."

Border Oak offer a plot list with planning already approved and a proof drawing of a home ready to go. Obviously you can go in and make changes, but the fewer you make, the less involvement you have with planning.

Wendy and Steven's first self-build was in the back garden of a black-and-white cottage, and was a Border Oak Pearmain cottage with two master bedrooms. 

But when Wendy became pregnant with the couple's first child, it was clear that they'd outgrown the cottage, and, having successfully self-built once, they weren't fazed at the prospect of another build. "We got ourselves into a rental house to rest our bones for a while," says Wendy, "and then did it all again. We knew the sort of area we wanted to be in so it was just a question of getting in touch with Border Oak and we were off.

"On both builds we took on a good majority of the work with Border Oak providing the watertight shell," Wendy reveals. "They were very happy to work with us and let us take on whatever we wanted to. 

"My father-in-law is in his seventies and did all the brickwork on this house, and during the build you might also have seen my mother-in-law laying garage roof tiles.

"It's very much hands-on for a year of your life," she says, adding that they started in March 2017 and moved in with daughters Sadie and Millie, and Welsh terrier Scout in March 2018.

"It's a year when you put your head down and get to the finish line."

Wendy's husband, meanwhile, took on all the initial fit-out and the landscaping. "It's a true labour of love," she adds.

"And, when the quote for the internal decoration came in above the budget, there was no option but to paint it ourselves, in the winter, with no heat. You just get it done," she says.

"It's invaluable to have that sort of self-starting attitude."

Wendy's background, though, doesn't at first glance make her an obvious contender for a self-builder.

"When Steven and I met I was in fashion design. My mother and I ran an accessories business in southern California, so what I had was experience of working with local suppliers and vendors and working within a budget."

What she didn't have, she admits, at first was "an understanding of what a British cottage or farmhouse was, of Shaker kitchens and heritage colours.

"I kind of judge the feel a house should be given from what it wants," Wendy explains.

"In the cottage, because it was so small and quaint we put in an oversized oak mantel piece and wood burner, but this house, because it's much larger, doesn't need that (kind of statement).

In the first house I had a white kitchen with a navy island, but here I have gone for mushroom.

"This house is more modern rustic and has more of a family atmosphere. But with every house, you have to feel it out. Because this is our second time, we've allowed ourselves to work into it, not rush it but find out what makes sense in the space."

Even after 18 months in the house Wendy admits that it's not quite there, but says that it's a house in which things 'can be a bit understated'.

"You don't need as much because you don't want to take away from what's there, and you don't have to put so much on the walls. I only have bright white walls to let the oak speak for itself."

Wendy, like many others with unique Herefordshire homes, also likes to introduce some antique pieces, usually sourced in everyone's favourite hunting ground, Leominster.

"I like to find unique things there and mix it up a bit. But it's not necessarily about the aesthetic appeal of a piece, but more about how it makes you feel when you look at it.

"I like a piece that makes you feel something. Like our coffee table and dining table which are recycled elm, and the picture of The Beatles with a US flag. They just tell a little bit of our story.

"Every little thing resonates and is something that makes you feel happy and fulfilled in your home, things that make you smile or tell a story."

And while that doesn't mean everything has to be expensive, Wendy is careful where the budget goes: "I like the kitchens, flooring, worktops and tiles to be good quality, so I'll buy beautiful taps that feel lovely to touch, but not the most expensive toilet, and I always like to have wool carpets and stone worktops. I like to use natural fibres and natural products."

Keeping it local was important, so the oak flooring was sourced from White Hall in Church Street, the kitchen and bathroom stone worktops are from Marble & Granite Designs in Hereford, floor and wall tiles from Mandarin Stone, with doors and windows from Howarths.

"And the bespoke lighting and most of the accessories and enamelware came from my most favourite shop ever, Baileys near Ross-on-Wye," says Wendy.

Wendy has two key pieces of advice to pass on to anyone planning to follow in their footsteps and the first is to ensure that you keep to the budget.

"You may have to make some compromises but you need to look at it as a situation you're winning by doing that. If certain items supersede your budget, you can look at it as an encouraging challenge to find a good deal on something, as long as the major players are of quality, that is what is most important.”

Secondly, Wendy stresses, the schedule must be stuck to "It's so crucial, and you need to think ahead so that you're not caught off guard. If one thing goes wrong it's a downward spiral, so you have to be the ultimate problem solver."

One final piece of advice Wendy would offer the would-be self builder is to maximise the space, explaining that it's one of the most valuable things they did in their previous home, and something they've repeated in their present house.

"We added a garage which incorporate a studio and carport, and our buyer bought because of that. Every time you can add overflow space it really helps."

Invited to choose a favourite space in her home, Wendy says "I like our master ensuite bathroom. It's something we did really well. In the cottage we had a giant wetroom but it wasn't the best use of space and not as practical as it should have been.

"I learned that practical is not always boring; things can work and look good. And the dining room with the french doors is a magical space because you can look out and see foxes, hedgehogs, owls and deer - it's really idyllic. With mature trees, it can feel as if you're in a little hidden forest."

Idyllic or not, Wendy admits that she and Steven will be moving on and building another home.

"We are masochists," she cheerfully admits. "When we finish a house, my husband sits and watches Top Gear for a while and then one day he says, 'I'm ready to do it again'. So, yes, we'll be doing it again. He wants more land next time.

"It's not the easiest thing to move out of the home you've just built," she says, "But we know at this stage in our lives that we are still trying to move forward, and it brings me comfort that Border Oak like what we do.

"We also have to think that we'll be building another beautiful Border Oak house and another family will move into this one. We're really proud of what we've done."

• This report first appeared in Herefordshire Living magzine.

Border Oak
Kingsland, Leominster
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