Winning formula

According to Sonia and Jamie Hockaday, good organisation, excellent teamwork and treats were the magic ingredients of their Warwickshire self-build

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For Sonia and Jamie Hockaday, the chance to fulfil a long-held ambition proved too good an opportunity to miss when a neighbouring plot of land became available. 'The idea of building our own home had always appealed to us,' says Sonia, 'and it also allowed us to create a home purpose-made for the needs of our family.'

JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY

With the idea of an oak construction in mind, the couple went to various self-build open days, followed by a visit to a self-build event at the NEC in Birmingham, where the Oakwrights team introduced them to architect John Williams. 'We felt that John fully appreciated that it needed to be a home with wow factor while still being cost-effective,' says Sonia.

An added incentive was the prospect of creating their own oak frame home — as well as its innate charm, it offered them versatility when it came to the design. 'We love the feel of classic houses but not the idiosyncrasies that often go with them — small spaces, high maintenance and general inefficiencies,' says Sonia. 'Here we could have a home that had real character and substance but with a contemporary feel.'