We bought the house, at the point were it was in danger of being lost to the elements, and have restored it as our new permanent home on Jura. We wanted to create an affordable and sustainable home, but without destroying the rugged and simple charm of the original house we loved so much.

To do this we went back to basic principles, so the house has no damp proofing, no fitted cupboards or kitchen, and no central heating. Instead, the walls are plastered with a lime based finish and whitewashed. Floors are part tiled, and painted where they are too uneven. Old fireplaces have been revealed, and stoves heat the open spaces, drawing air in through a “leaky” fabric, which lets the house “breathe” as it was originally intended, and makes for a cosy, warm and dry, new home.