Best High-End Family Home Design Project – Midlands 2026

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Sandboro House Farm is an award-winning transformation of a traditional rural property in the Staffordshire countryside. The project was recognised as Best High-End Family Home Design Project (Midlands) 2026, reflecting both the quality of the design and the scale of the transformation.

The site originally contained an ageing farmhouse with a series of ad-hoc additions. Although it sat within a generous rural plot with open views and strong privacy, the house itself failed to take advantage of these qualities. The layout was disjointed, circulation was poor, and many rooms felt dark and disconnected from the surrounding landscape.

However, the site offered exceptional potential, including:

• Open countryside views
• South-facing garden aspects
• Generous plot proportions
• Strong sense of privacy

The brief was to transform the property into a modern, high-quality family home that felt rooted in its rural setting while delivering contemporary comfort and performance.

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Planning-Led Design in a Rural Staffordshire Setting

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The project began with a full site and building analysis. We assessed which parts of the existing farmhouse added value and which elements were restricting the potential of the site.

Early design work focused on:

• Improving natural light throughout the home
• Creating clearer circulation and spatial flow
• Strengthening connections to the landscape
• Positioning key living spaces to capture views and sunlight

Using our in-house 3D modelling and visualisation workflow, we developed a detailed digital model of the property. This allowed the clients to walk through the design virtually, refine their preferences, and make confident decisions early in the process.

The architectural strategy balanced contemporary forms with rural sensitivity. New extensions replaced the fragmented additions, creating a unified, cohesive home that feels both modern and appropriate to its countryside context.

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A Seven-Figure Transformation

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The completed Sandboro House Farm represents a complete transformation. What was once an outdated and disconnected rural dwelling is now a sophisticated, high-performing family home.

The new layout delivers:

• Bright, open living spaces
• Strong visual connections to the landscape
• Cohesive internal flow
• High-quality materials and bespoke detailing

Architecturally, the home balances contemporary refinement with rural charm. The new extensions unify the structure while modern detailing elevates the overall aesthetic.

The transformation also unlocked significant value. The property now sits confidently within the seven-figure market, reflecting both the scale of the improvement and the quality of the design.

Sandboro House Farm stands as a flagship example of Hawkstone Developments’ approach, creating homes that are beautiful, buildable, and timeless.

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