Couple build spectacular Devon home whilst living in caravan

Renovating an existing property can take time, determination and hard work. But it takes a special kind of vision, passion and drive to transform a run-down barn into an A-rated eco home that is the stuff of dreams - and all while living in a caravan on the building site. Which is exactly what husband and wife Clint and Chris Cooper did while creating the spectacular Olive Tree Court at Broadhembury.

Arrive at Olive Tree Court today and you will find a striking four-bedroom house that exudes style and offers a lifestyle of opulence, indulgence and comfort. However, it was a very different picture when Clint and Chris set their hearts on the East Devon site back in 2021.

“Broadhembury, Payhembury, Talaton and Tale have always been our ‘go to’ places to live, with easy access to M5 , Exeter, A30 and Honiton, so when we found out the barn had planning permission we immediately got in the car and drove over to have a look,” said Clint.

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“Hidden amongst the trees and bushes, sat a very large agricultural barn along with a generous size wooden outbuilding. Despite the barn/land being totally overgrown there was no question in our mind, we were going to be the new owners.”

While the property already had Part Q planning to redevelop, Clint and Chris managed to change it to a full planning to fulfil their vision for the site.

Having built four of their own homes, and a few for other people, prior to finding Olive Tree Court, a planning change wasn’t all that veteran house builders Clint and Chris took on while creating their latest dream home. The couple also rolled up their sleeves and came up with the house design, meticulously planned the interior design, and even undertook most of the work themselves.

Clint said: “We put in a full planning application based on our own design but tried to keep it modern and contemporary whilst retaining a barn-style look.

“We always do our own design because at the end of the day only we know how we like to live. We did use an architect to draw up the plans and working drawings.

“When it comes to the soft furnishings, I have to give full credit to my wife – she has an incredible instinct for it, and her choices really transform the space. As for me, I spend countless hours sourcing the perfect pieces.

“We're both sticklers for quality, so finding the right items can be a challenge, especially when buying online without seeing them in person first.”

Clint, 63, and Chris, 67, describe Olive Tree Court’s interior style as modern, contemporary and quite minimalist: “Just how we like it because it’s so easy to keep tidy.”

Highlights include an indulgent master bedroom suite with a sauna and dressing room, a spectacular galleried games room that overlooks a show stopping, double-height entrance, and a spacious, adjoining balcony - which just happens to be Chris and Clint’s favourite place to relax with a glass of wine, while listening to soothing music and drinking in the amazing rural views.

Ask Clint and Chris what their favourite feature of the house is and it is much more difficult for them to pinpoint. “There are so many standout features – it’s almost like being asked to pick a favourite child!” said Clint.

“One of the highlights is the first impression you get when you walk through the door. The striking double-height entrance, with its elegant pendant lighting and expansive glazed frontage, immediately sets the tone.

“The grand marble-style staircase is equally impressive, complemented by the dramatic wall of split-face tiles, their texture beautifully accentuated by carefully placed downlights. It’s a combination of design elements that creates a lasting impact from the very first step inside.”

From the hand-crafted staircase and the amazing balcony area to the main bedroom’s beautiful en-suite, Olive Tree Court boasts many bespoke features.
The bathrooms ooze luxury with carefully chosen tiles from Porcelanosa in Exeter picked to stand the test of time, and bathtubs and taps sourced from Germany to ensure quality. There is even a stunning sauna in the master en suite.

“The bathrooms are a beautiful addition to the house,” Clint said. “I honestly believe we've nailed it. We found it difficult to find a sauna that fitted the look we were after but I feel this one is perfect with its contemporary style.”

In the open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting room, a German kitchen was chosen and showcases a large statement island with a wooden breakfast bar to complement the stone worktop and to give the kitchen another dimension.

Ensuring their new home had A-rated eco credentials was another top priority. Clint said: “I feel everyone should be doing whatever they can to look after the leasehold we have on our planet and, just as important, is the running cost.

“With the large array of PV coupled with a Tesla powerwall, air source underfloor heating and double EV charger, the bills are kept to a minimum. To further enhance the A-rated EPC, the floor, walls, and roof voids are heavily insulated.”

With its interior flowing seamlessly through bifold doors to the expansive patio and garden, Chris and Clint are able to enjoy large family gatherings and social events at Olive Tree Court - the couple even hosted their daughter’s wedding at the property recently.

Rewind back to the start of their journey to create their amazing abode and you will find a couple who spent two years living in a caravan and even enjoying Christmas dinner in a shed, all in a bid to perfect their new build home. An experience they said they loved. “We actually lived in the caravan for around two years, although the build only took 11 months.”

In fact, Clint joked that the hardest part of the build was paying for it and at no point did the couple ever feel like quitting. “Building is in my DNA and once you have built your first house it becomes difficult to buy one that’s not exactly to your specifications,” said Clint.

“We went to planning a couple of times to get exactly what we wanted, and would we do it again in a heartbeat. In fact, that’s our next move, but at our age I’ve been told by my very understanding wife this will be the last one.

“We have already done the plans and are future proofing it by planning on constructing a bungalow, ready for the days we can no longer manage the stairs.”

And will their new build project be here in Devon? “Oh yes, we already have a location in mind and it’s right where we want to be.”

Olive Tree Court is being marketed by Fine & Country Exeter for offers over £1,425,000. Call on 01392 573900 to find out more.

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