This thatched Devonshire cottage has a modern twist

This striking Devon property is a tale of two halves: a traditional 18th-century cottage, complete with a chocolate-box thatched roof, juxtaposing a crisp, angular wing by Stopher Design.

The 1,180 sq ft cottage is located in a rural stretch of Devon countryside, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, near the village of Aveton Gifford and a short drive from the county’s famous beaches. The studio has taken an innovative approach to modernising the Grade II-listed stone cottage, eschewing pastiche in favour of contrast and strong eco-performance.

Thick, painted beams run overhead in the old portion of the house, where the main living room has a large Inglenook fireplace fitted with a modern wood burner. A small study is located off the room, while a few steps lead down to the rectangular modern addition, housing a sleek, minimalist kitchen and dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass offering views on three sides.

Neff, Liebherr and Miele appliances are discreetly integrated into the all-white Corian kitchen counters, the smooth marble contrasted by patinaed, wide-plank flooring. A large island loosely zones the kitchen from the dining area without obscuring the views of the gardens, deck, and countryside beyond.

The Modern House is listing the country property for £585,000.

A curving staircase accesses the upper floor, where there are two bright bedrooms with views across the hills and fields.

Stopher Design upgraded much of the cottage’s energy performance during renovation, including installing an air-source heat pump. The new portion of the house is built with insulated concrete block work with highly efficient solar heat absorption.