Would you consider starting again and treating the site as a plot? You would be able to reclaim your VAT so it may not be much more expensive than a full refurb, and you would be able to create something more in keeping with your beautiful surroundings.

what is the single story section to the right of the photo? is this the kitchen? do you have a floor plan? thx Ed

I rather like the idea of wood cladding and darker coloured windows. Could you open the dormer windows up into the triangular gable section?

Thanks to everyone who took the time and effort to make helpful suggestions. We thought of cladding and even rendering but were put off by the boring look of rendering we'd seen around and couldn't do the cladding because we're in a conservation area in a mostly stone village. The bit on the side is the current dining room. A two story extension is going on the other side of the building to house a new kitchen with guest suite above. The old solar panels are definitely going and not being replaced. Not sure whether to have a 'traditional kitchen' or a handless modern one, gloss or matt - light or dark. Not sure whether to keep the interior flat doors and if we do, what door furniture apart from the awful existing, brushed aluminium handles. We appreciate it is what it is, but need to make serious, practical but aesthetically pleasing and sensible changes. At least we know we don't want the avocado sanitary ware!

One thing that might help, if the budget will stretch maybe to re-roof with a brighter tile.

Another option that might fit would be to use a product called Novabrik (http://novabrik.com/). It is a dry cladding system, and may enable you to brighten the colour in a way that is allowed by in the conservation area.

Hi again. if you like the idea of cladding I would encourage you to pursue it. Cladding is a traditional finish all over the UK mostly used in barn construction. We are in aonb and wanted a New England style and got cladding through on that basis (Marley Eternit which isn't even wood). There should be a document in your area that should give guidance on traditional materials. Suffice to say your 70's house uses cladding or cladding effect on the dormers and this house was probably built after it became a conservation area. rgds Ed

super challenge ! changing the windows & doors will immediately alter its look...elongating the roof line & building above the existing dining room will make it look more housey less dormer bungalow...I agree that changing the roof tiles is a must..the present ones are concrete ? I for one are beginning to think these grey windows are perhaps the equivalent of the bi-fold door at the moment ? Bit too on-trend ? Love coloured painted wooden windows however.

I always think seventies houses really lend themselves to modern interiors. It's tempting to fill them inside as though the outside is a period you're used to but the actual space and design you have will blossom if you approach it as though it was the cutting edge of modern. After all at its conception it was. I would do some research on 20th century modern. Think open plan. Smooth lines. Dark wooden floors and pops of bright colour. There's some amazing and high quality seventies furniture availiable on E bay very cheap at the moment. And retro is always in. Have fun.

radicalman

If you are having a new extension built that will need planning permission etc;. I guess you will use an architect for that (one who has a good local reputation and whose work you admire) and who will hopefully be familiar with local planning approaches. Get them to redesign the entire building and tell them what you want to achieve. Messing around doing piecemeal alterations is a total waste of time and the end result will not look like a well integrated project. Simples.

Christine, you may have already accrued a mix of furniture from various periods - check out Saarinen's Miller House which uses rich textiles and decorative panels. New and practical 'fixed' materials were mixed with art-craft peices here. If you want the period feel (but not the pastiche) you can re-create it. Check 'The New Craftsman' for great craft peices & hard finishes such as Kerlite and Fenix for kitchens.

Have you thought about retro fitting water heating to the floors. You dont need to dig out the floor to install. Polypipe Overlay, and apply stone or oak straight on top.

I live in a house exactly the same. Made ours all open plan looks great!

Rock and wood. Do you have a floor plan? We just bought a 70s chalet style house without realising how much work it would take to get it in order!!