Experienced renovator Kjersti Rogneflaten Woolley took this dated property and turned it into a bright, open space, perfect for her minimalist lifestyle

WORDS VICTORIA JENKINS

PHOTOS WILLIAM GODDARD

When passionate sculler Kjersti Rogneflaten Woolley spotted the River Avon running swiftly along the bottom of the garden, she knew she had found the right house. Her love of this particular hobby (similar to rowing) has taken her across the world to compete, and she is a keen member of the Stratford Boat Club. So, it made sense to have her home be close to the water.

On her initial visit, the four-bedroom 1960s house was a little dated, but it had some interesting extras. There was a drinks bar built into a corner of the sitting room, and outside was a patio overlaid with decking and astroturf where the previous owner had practiced his putting. There was also a rather ramshackle conservatory and a workshop and separate WC offto the side behind the garage. But Kjersti was particularly delighted to see the separate garden annexe. “It meant I had somewhere to live while the house was gutted back to its brick and then renovated,” she says.

Rocky start

After she bought the house, Kjersti consulted an architect who had his own building team. “He wanted to install his own choice of kitchen and bathrooms, so I didn’t employ him further,” says Kjersti. “His choice was for the budget end of things and I wanted something much smarter. I didn’t feel very comfortable with him.” Instead Kjersti employed local builder Roger Brown.

Kjersti saved a lot of money by retaining the staircase but repainting it and adding an oak banister and steel rods