From time to time, whether we are ambling down a country lane or commuting to work, we may pass an old, derelict building that looks like it was once something special. Some of us may even ponder and think to ourselves, ‘that has so much potential. I wonder who owns it?’.
Husband and wife, Tom and Juliette Chamberlain, had exactly this thought when walking their children to school one morning, in Lymore near the New Forest.
Tom says: ‘We’d walked past this old run-down workshop and had often wondered about buying it. It belonged to our neighbours and nobody seemed to understand or recognise its potential. The small brick building had already been granted planning permission for a change of use to a holiday let, but it was hidden in undergrowth and had been on the market for several years.’
After much consideration, the couple found the right time to buy the property in 2015. Tom remembers: ‘We couldn’t see it for ivy and bamboo! It need a lot of TLC.’
The building’s origins are a bit of a mystery, he says: ‘I think it dates back quite a few decades, but we’ve never exactly been sure.’
Tom and Juliette are no strangers to renovations and own hugely successful Shepherd Hut business, Lymore Huts, as well as their own building company.
The abandoned building has since been transformed into a single storey stunning structure, named ‘The Sanctuary’, situated in a tranquil rural setting between Lymington and Keyhaven.
Juliette explains that their priority was to: ‘Create “a sanctuary” by name and by nature.’ She says: ‘The aim was to create somewhere peaceful, calm and indulgent. Somewhere we ourselves would want to go to with an unwinding agenda at the forefront of our minds. Homely and warm, comforting and cool – fine-tuned, with every detail considered.’
This luxury bolthole has an industrial-meets-farmhouse style throughout, featuring an exposed brick wall, visible wood beams and piping systems with hanging naked lighting globes. Soft elements balance the look, with cosy rugs and furnishings adding that comfort-factor, along with a wood-burning stove.
Tom explains: ‘The high ceilings are supported by new glulam beams, which add to the overall feeling of spaciousness and calm. A false ceiling was built in the kitchen, with exposed oak beams and brick wall, which also allowed lighting to be installed more easily. The oak floorboards were salvaged from an old local flour mill. They have been laid throughout the whole property with a bespoke kitchen crafted by a local joiner and teamed with a quartz worktop.’
The secluded garden is adorned with olive trees and bamboo, with a stream that flows gently at the bottom, adding further to the natural feng-shui of this blissful bubble.
Juliette shares: ‘Designing the garden was an important part of the overall eclectic-luxe scheme – we decided on doors from the bedroom and sizeable bi-fold doors from the kitchen/sitting room to open out on to same level decking. We used wooden dough troughs and aluminium cattle feeders repurposed into planters, creating what feels like an outdoor private room. The decking was purposely made almost as large as the property itself, so that it feels like a homely extension.’
The bathroom makes its own bold statement with monochrome geometric tiles from Bert and May and zinc copper tub, creating a dynamic effect.
A rich blue-green colour scheme runs throughout the rooms, which does an excellent job at unifying the spaces together. Whilst the colour palette is dark and sophisticated, it has been wisely contrasted with warmer tones in the antique brass and bronze detailing.
If the summer sunshine is on your side, those staying can enjoy an al-fresco breakfast under the pergola and be entertained by the local pheasants strutting past in the garden. Imagine soaking in the Jacuzzi hot tub, listening to the crackle of the fire-pit next to you and gazing up at the moon – it’s all possible at this retreat.
Tom says: ‘We’ve built up a brilliant team of people over the years with our business. We’re naturally practical ourselves and involved the children when they were younger which meant that the renovations were a full family effort. Living nearby meant that we could pop along to visit the site and we would find ourselves working their still several hours later.’
Many unusual pieces full of character are dotted around the place, creating nooks of visual interest, and showcasing personality. Tom’s sister Hannah, who assisted with the interior design, says: ‘We visited a lot of antique fairs and vintage emporiums to find things. We also picked local artwork from Coastal Gallery and treasure finds from No64 in Milford on Sea and Willow Lifestyle.’
She continues: ‘We chose a copper nickel bath for the bathroom, with a chest of drawers converted into a vanity unit for the large basin. Outside a reclaimed paella dish was re-purposed as the outdoor shower tray, sitting proudly next the hot tub. In the bedroom a huge and very heavy four poster metal super king bed needed to be delivered in pieces and was built in situ. It’s a fantastic sized bedroom which could afford to take a statement bed and fitting pendant - we wanted our guests to walk in and be wowed and the property to ooze luxury and style that went beyond the ordinary.’
The couple and their team stripped back the single storey building to its bare four walls, to give them the opportunity for a complete re-design. Tom remembers: ‘We realised it was quite dark inside, but rather than fight it, we worked its natural properties to create a contemporary boutique inspired space in which luxury meets the rustic feel of the New Forest.’
Their first guests weren’t quite what they had in mind; a nest of blackbirds decided the bedroom was the perfect space to make their new home. Juliette smiles: ‘They delayed our renovation works but we fed them in their nest until they were strong enough to fly. We still have a respectful battle with badgers who like the lawn a bit too much at times and occasional deer in the garden who make themselves at home.’
Whether you’re a couple looking for a luxurious love nest for a weekend, adventurers eager to explore the New Forest National Park or travellers seeking refuge from the city bustle, The Sanctuary ticks so many boxes. Those that do venture out of this oasis, can explore the coastline around the Solent, try out one of the New Forest’s many walking tracks or dine out at an array of great eateries.
Juliette says: ‘We’re so happy that a large proportion of our guests have returned to stay time and time again; a real testament to their positive feeling towards our retreat.’
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