Our new warm and welcoming home has given us a quality of life we never thought we would have

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“We are used to multi-generational living,” explains Sharon White, as she sits with her husband Paul in the spacious living area of their new log annex home, located at the end of their daughter’s rural Home Counties garden.

“We bought the bungalow 30 years ago and had my father-in-law living with us. After he sadly died, mum moved in with us and she was with us for 17 years.

“Our daughter and son-in-law got married, and then when we started to think about downsizing, it just made sense for them to take-over the bungalow and for us to look at other options,” she said. “We quickly settled on an annex at the back of the garden and found a company to supply us with one but were let down by them. It was then that our daughter found Norwegian Log online.”

“I have to admit my initial reaction was I wasn’t that keen on log cabins, but she persuaded us to go and have a look at the show home in Reading. The first one was beautiful but quite small but then Ed took us into the bigger one and I walked in and thought ‘wow, I could live in this!’. He showed us how they were built, and how well insulated they are and also explained how the walls could be painted - and that was when I was really sold!” she laughs.

The Whites' sustainable solid log home boasts two double bedrooms, family bathroom, utility room, separate washroom and toilet, and a large living/kitchen area with bifold doors, with all walls and lofty ceilings finished in a contemporary pale shade. “I didn’t want anything to look too dark, or like a wooden holiday home, I wanted it to look light and airy,” Sharon says. Underfloor heating, on-trend oak doors and a log burner complete the modern vibe.

Once the Whites had settled on a bespoke design, the couple were keen for Norwegian Log to handle everything planning related. The company applied for a certificate of lawful use, and as the annex would be for the exclusive use of family and sit within the bungalow’s garden, consent was quickly gained from the local authority, and the project could begin.

Work started in summer 2022 and by November the couple had moved in. “Norwegian Log erected it in eight weeks,” explains Paul. “The two lads worked really hard, they were amazing. The whole ethos of the company is to please the customer.”

Settled in their new energy efficient home, the couple couldn’t be happier. “Our lives aren’t tied up in looking after a house anymore … it’s given us a different meaning in life,” explains Sharon. “I just love it. When the base first went down I was worried it wasn’t going to be big enough. How wrong was I! It’s so easy to keep clean and so warm and welcoming.”

With their daughter expecting her first baby later this year, living just across the garden will bring on a new meaning. “It’s not only relaxing living here, a bit like being on holiday, but we’ll be here for our daughter,” says Paul.

The next generation soon to benefit from the Whites' gorgeous new log home.