How I Transformed My Home – A Home Renovation Case Study with Charlotte Elliott

Charlotte Elliott is transforming a rural bungalow into her dream home, one upgrade at a time. Situated in a quaint village surrounded by acres of land and picturesque views, Charlotte saw the potential to make this house a home.

After stripping the house back to bare walls, Charlotte and her family have worked tirelessly to upgrade their original countryside bungalow into a two-storey family home with multiple extensions, and the project is still evolving.

In this UK home renovation case study, we explore how thoughtful design choices and timber joinery supported the transformation. You’ll also see the home renovations’ before-and-after impact of getting the fundamentals right: proportion, detailing, and materials. Read on to find out how integrating Westbury joinery helped Charlotte achieve the look she was working towards, and what she has planned next in her renovation journey. This house renovation case study also includes practical considerations that apply to many rural projects.

How did you first hear about Westbury?

I found Westbury through Instagram. When we first got the plans together for the build, I started creating saved folders for interior inspiration. After looking into Westbury, familiarising myself with the brand and their work, I fell in love with their doors – so this was non-negotiable when finalising the details!

What works have you had done by Westbury – and how have they made a difference?

We had both our front and side door made by Westbury and we couldn’t be more pleased with them. They are huge features to the property and one of the best investments.

Tell us about your wider renovation project – what you aim to achieve and how Westbury has supported your renovation journey.

The property that we had was originally a bungalow that we took down to the minimal walls. We then extended the front and rear of the property – and went up!

When the property was being designed, we really wanted to make sure it was in keeping with the surrounding areas. The Westbury doors played a key role in making sure that we kept that country home aesthetic whilst ensuring the quality was to the best standard. Westbury use sustainable, premium timber to ensure superior quality and stability in their products.

Choosing the Right Joinery for Your Home Renovation – Why Quality Makes Such a Difference

Your joinery is one of the key aspects to consider when renovating your home. A top-quality timber joinery helps you to achieve your desired aesthetic and create an inspiring facade, but it also provides you with exceptional thermal performance, enhancing your home’s efficiency and subsequently saving on energy costs.

Our timber doors bring character and charm to home renovation projects. They are 68mm thick, featuring double draught excluders that result in a premium, softer close.

We construct all our timber doors using an engineered combination of Accoya® timber and redwood. Externally, Accoya® provides exceptional durability against weathering, insect damage, rot and decay. We select Accoya® for its top performance and stability, as well as its low impact on the environment. Internally, laminated redwood is used as it has a naturally tight, attractive grain, ensuring an immaculate and smooth finish.

These timbers also share another desirable quality – they are natural insulators, aiding in retaining your central heating to keep your home warm during the colder months, and reducing heat gain during the summer. This is because both timbers have low thermal conductivity, minimising heat transfer. This makes sustainable timber joinery a strong choice for long-term renovation projects, lowering both energy costs and your carbon footprint.

If you’re looking for a timber window case study within a wider renovation, Charlotte’s project is a useful reference point for how new joinery can lift the overall result.

How did you find working with Westbury?

I have enjoyed every part of the process. Initially, we visited the showroom and took a tour of the factory to understand the production process and the quality of the materials. I feel this was very beneficial and was also one of the vital elements that sealed my decision in moving forward with Westbury.

Visit Our Showroom and See Our Timber Joinery In Person

Few people know that Westbury products are all carefully crafted on the same site where your calls are handled. Based in Essex, our sales and design team work mere minutes away from our dedicated factory staff. This ensures constant communication and a strong sense of unity among our employees.

You can book a showroom visit with us to discuss your joinery options, which includes a factory tour. Not only will you be able to see our products in person, but you’ll also be able to meet the team that will be crafting your personalised timber joinery. You’ll receive a guided tour of our factory and office to learn every step of our process and the people behind it.

To book a showroom visit, call us today.

Would you use Westbury again – why? What’s next in your home renovation plans?

I would most certainly use Westbury again! Next on the agenda is to change the existing doors on the adjacent garage. Potentially further down the line, we are looking to integrate a Westbury orangery to further extend the property.

How Westbury Works With Your Existing Property During a Renovation

We understand that every property is different, and that when renovating, it is essential to be sensitive to the existing architecture, the only way to create a truly seamless and impactful design. When upgrading your joinery, think beyond your personal taste – think about how the design will look in partnership with your property and how colours may complement or clash.

Our designers are skilled at working with different styles and eras of architectural design. For homeowners planning a rural or country home renovation, this approach helps ensure new joinery feels considered rather than imposed.

To find out more about our timber joinery for home renovation projects, call us today on 01245 326510. Alternatively, you can request a brochure or visit our website for more inspiration.

Charlotte Elliott is a genuine Westbury customer and completed her project with us in 2025. You can follow her renovation journey on Instagram @csjhome. Alternatively, you can catch up with Charlotte’s other adventures on @charlotte.sje.