Situated in the Peak District Village of Youlgrave is the Old Timber store. Formally known as 3A barn flat, originally used for timber storage it was then later turned into a one up one down property. When we purchased the tiny house the sale included this and the adjoining barn next door. The barn was a working joinery shop on the ground floor and then living accommodation above. The old timber store is now one of our best performing holiday lets and possibly our favourite renovation to date. The beginning When we purchased the two properties we weren’t exactly sure what we were going to do with them and if we’re going to keep them both. We did however, know that we would definitely like to make the timber store into a holiday let. The lack of outdoor space, roadside parking and the size of the property made it limited to who would want to live there permanently. Based on this we started the renovations on the Timber store first and made the decision from the very beginning that we were going to be quite brave and unique with the design and style of the renovation, In turn creating a moody, authentic and relaxing place to stay for our guests. We feel like it’s now the perfect place for solo staycations, couples retreats and dog walkers. Stripping back The first step was a complete strip-out of everything, including the modern plaster finishes and the cement render that had been trapping damp in the walls for years. We sandblasted all of the original timber beams to remove any old finishes and years worth of paint. We also exposed the beautiful huge stone walls in the kitchen and in the bedroom. With the high ceilings we decided to raise the floor level slightly, insulating between each joist and whilst we were there it helped dry out the majority of the damp walls. To create a cosy focal point downstairs, we added a mock fireplace to the living space. We had hoped to install a log burner, but due to the adjoining property and the cost and space a flue would have taken up, we decided it just wasn’t practical for this build. We laid wide solid oak floorboards throughout and used historic clasp nails that Jake managed to source on eBay. We mixed up a natural solution using tea bags, soil, and metal filings to create a rich, aged patina. After letting it sit to develop a texture and colour, we hoovered and cleaned the boards thoroughly before sealing them with multiple coats of sealant for durability. The entire property was rewired and re plumbed, ready for modern living. Downstairs, we used breathable hot lime plaster on the walls, leaving it unpainted to maintain a warm, earthy tone that also helped the place breathe.  Leading upstairs into the bedroom we added new stud walls and changed the staircase location. We used modern plaster and painted using little greene paint company shades. Jake found matching stone and rebuilt the back wall as there was a blocked doorway leading into the neighbouring barn. The south facing bedroom in this property is flooded with light and has tall ceilings, stunning exposed beams and trusses. We added a glass panel floor to allow light from the bedroom window down into the kitchen because we were so limited with natural light options. The two windows overlook neighbouring properties and gardens which really gives the space a real country cottage feel. In the ensuite bathroom it features a walk-in raindrop shower and Mandarin Stone tiles. The finish As you walk through the glass fronted entrance you’re greeted with earthy tones and textures. The newly lime plastered walls cover the open plan downstairs living area giving the space a natural warmth and charm. The wide rough sawn oak floorboards and use of authentic beams above give an insight into the former history of the property. A brand new black shaker kitchen and quartz worktops with brass accents bring a whole new era for that modern but moody feel. The interiors For the interiors of the project we were on a tight budget but we didn’t want to compromise on the overall look and feel for the space. We had to get creative, go to a lot of reclamation places and make some of it ourselves. Inspired by an image on Pinterest Jake made a solid oak bed with a reclaimed slice for the headboard and made side tables to match. Exterior The exterior also had an upgrade with new window openings and ground floor stone steps outside to raise the levels. It was all lime repointed and we added glass frontage doors to bring in more light from the outside.  *Some links in this article may contain affiliate links Properties featured in this article: The old timber store https://youtu.be/2R_6qYuizCk?si=uOXu10lP2QdgwTEd More stories from The Journal