Terry and Sharon Cobbin (Video case study)
Suffolk 2009 09-022
Terry and Sharon Cobbin, Suffolk
Terry and Sharon Cobbin who have recently finished building a Potton home in Suffolk, were the stars of a new TV series My Flat-Pack Home, which was exclusive to Home ( Sky 246 and Virgin 265 starting) on 20th July.
The programme which is presented by Amanda Lamb aims to dispel the myths about ‘flat-pack homes’.
Says Terry: “Building my own home was nothing compared to the nerves I had at the thought of being filmed for this new series but it was a lot of fun in the end - the build was dead easy thanks to the help we got from Potton and eventually, we did get used to being on camera.”
The couple started building on September 30th last year and the programme follows their experiences from the start of the build. They chose a, Caxton, a Tudor style design from leading self build specialists, Potton, which was then modified to suit their needs. The Caxton is one of hundreds of designs from their tried and tested portfolio of timber frame packages.
The programme captured how Potton’s timber frame packages are erected in just a week and can be transformed into a fully fitted dream home in 4 - 6 months. The Cobbin’s new home includes an expansive family kitchen-diner with a sunroom added, a large lounge with a huge inglenook fireplace, a utility room, study and storage space downstairs and 4 bedrooms upstairs with two bathrooms, one ensuite.
“We wanted a large kitchen which is why we asked Potton to modify the plans to include a sunroom. This is the place we intend to spend most of our time. Sharon fell in love with the inglenook when she visited Potton’s Self Build Show Centre in St Neots, and has dreamt of family Christmases by the fire ever since. Upstairs, the master bedroom has an impressive vaulted ceiling and the kids each have their own bedroom, with one family bathroom and en-suite for us, which is slightly different from the original plans where you could have a third bathroom. We changed this bathroom into a walk-in wardrobe because we thought that if one of the kids had their own bathroom it would cause problems,” explains Terry.
The Cobbins' also blogged their build. The blog can be found at www.cobbinsselfbuild.wordpress.com
