Using an interactive virtual model of the cottage, we explored layout options for every room, allowing Lydia Millen and her husband Ali to experience different design ideas at full scale before any physical work begins.

One of the key rooms to understand layout possibilities was the living room, where multiple arrangements were tested to accommodate a new wood-burning stove while maintaining the character and flow of the space.

The kitchen-dining space became one of the most valuable areas to explore. The original concept centred around a relaxed seating area with armchairs positioned around the fireplace. By visualising an alternative arrangement, we were able to showcase what a dedicated dining area within the room would feel like - an option that ultimately proved far more appealing than anticipated and helped unlock a new direction for the space.

Alongside the layout studies, the kitchen-dining room and two bathrooms were developed in greater detail, exploring materials, finishes and decorative elements to establish an initial interior design direction that can now be refined as the renovation progresses.

Window designs were also explored throughout the project, allowing traditional sash windows and more contemporary casement styles to be compared in context. Seeing both options within the cottage helped challenge initial assumptions and provided greater clarity on the direction to take forward.