{"id":25388,"date":"2025-12-18T10:26:03","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T10:26:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/?p=25388"},"modified":"2025-12-20T08:14:37","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T08:14:37","slug":"contemporary-self-build-helford-river-cornwall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/self-build\/contemporary-self-build-helford-river-cornwall\/","title":{"rendered":"Demolition and Self Build: Starting Over"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cWe love the Helford River, and when we looked at the house that stood here previously, we did not think there could be a better spot for us,\u201d says Melissa Cooke, a retired strategy consultant.<\/p>\n<p>Melissa and her husband Andy, also retired, bought a 1930s home in an extraordinary location on this Cornish river, famously associated with Daphne du Maurier.<\/p>\n<p>For the next year and a half, the couple drafted and re-drafted renovation plans, unable to get it \u2018right\u2019.<\/p><div class=\"gdmag-content\" id=\"gdmag-1487049445\" data-cfpa=\"20295\" data-cfpw=\"20295\"><div class=\"gdmag-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><div class=\"GRVMpuWrapper mobile\"><div class=\"GRVAd inline mobile\" data-ad-type=\"primary-mpu\" data-ad-label=\"mpu\" data-ad-sizemapping=\"primary-mpu\" data-ad-sizes=\"[[300,250],[300,600],[320,480]]\" data-ad-refreshmapping=\"always\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">;new advadsCfpAd( 20295 );<\/script>\n<p>Then, a friend suggested they demolish and replace the house with a contemporary self-build.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe believed we had bought a home, not a plot, so it was a hard decision,\u201d says Melissa.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut I had always wanted to [self] build,\u201d adds Andy.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-25390 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pool-700x467.jpg\" alt=\"The swimming pool is enjoyed by everyone in Melissa and Andy's extended family\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pool-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pool-250x167.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pool-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pool-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pool-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pool-120x80.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pool-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Life by the water<\/h2>\n<p>Before moving to Cornwall permanently, the couple had a holiday home in the same village, spending many happy holidays there with their five children, now all grown up.<\/p><div class=\"gdmag-content-2\" id=\"gdmag-2313056506\" data-cfpa=\"19928\" data-cfpw=\"19928\"><div class=\"gdmag-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><!-- code from Primis - granddesignsmagazine.com -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" language=\"javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/live.primis.tech\/live\/liveView.php?s=116493&schain=1.0,1!grv.media,65,1\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- code from Primis --><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">;new advadsCfpAd( 19928 );<\/script>\n<p>This has long been a special place for them and a natural place for their retirement.<\/p>\n<p>This location is exceptional; a steep, south-facing slope with views down the river.<\/p>\n<p>Yet this brought significant challenges: a steep slope, limited access, and its location within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, right on the edge of a creek.<\/p>\n<p>It therefore demanded a very special design, and the couple turned to local architecture practice <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kastarchitects.com\/\">KAST<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe spoke to several potential architects, but we chose Nick and David at KAST, as they had good ideas but listened to us too \u2013 it was a joint project,\u201d says Andy.<\/p><div class=\"gdmag-prop-primary-mpu\" id=\"gdmag-320047611\" data-cfpa=\"20294\" data-cfpw=\"20294\"><div class=\"gdmag-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><div class=\"GRVMpuWrapper\"><div class=\"GRVAd inline\" data-ad-type=\"mpu\" data-ad-sizes=\"[[300,250]]\" data-ad-refreshmapping=\"always\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">;new advadsCfpAd( 20294 );<\/script>\n<p>The couple wanted a sleek, contemporary self-build home with clean lines and a nod to mid-century design.<\/p>\n<p>Most importantly, they wanted something reflecting 21<sup>st<\/sup> century Cornwall, as the village has houses from many other eras.<\/p>\n<p>However, because the plot sits within a National Landscape (formerly an AONB), their first planning application was refused.<\/p>\n<h2>Rethinking The Site<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-25391 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sitting-room-700x466.jpg\" alt=\"OPen plankitchen and living room\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sitting-room-700x466.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sitting-room-250x166.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sitting-room-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sitting-room-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sitting-room-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sitting-room-120x80.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sitting-room-1200x799.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Everything was on one level, which is better for wheelchairs,\u201d says Melissa. \u201cSo [when the application was refused], we lost our \u2018futureproofing\u2019, which is madness.\u201d<\/p><div class=\"gdmag-prop-in-content-mpu\" id=\"gdmag-205772074\" data-cfpa=\"20294\" data-cfpw=\"20294\"><div class=\"gdmag-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><div class=\"GRVMpuWrapper\"><div class=\"GRVAd inline\" data-ad-type=\"mpu\" data-ad-sizes=\"[[300,250]]\" data-ad-refreshmapping=\"always\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">;new advadsCfpAd( 20294 );<\/script>\n<p>Fortunately, their second application was approved.<\/p>\n<p>This plan reshaped the design into a split-level, three-storey home stepped into the hillside, with only the master suite on the top floor.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the end, we got the house that we\u2019re really happy with, in the location that we love.<\/p>\n<p>Although we lost the benefit of having a guest bedroom and living space on the same level, it does work well architecturally and practically,\u201d says Melissa.<\/p><div class=\"gdmag-prop-in-content-mpu-2\" id=\"gdmag-1225194387\" data-cfpa=\"20294\" data-cfpw=\"20294\"><div class=\"gdmag-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><div class=\"GRVMpuWrapper\"><div class=\"GRVAd inline\" data-ad-type=\"mpu\" data-ad-sizes=\"[[300,250]]\" data-ad-refreshmapping=\"always\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">;new advadsCfpAd( 20294 );<\/script>\n<p>&#8220;As first-time homebuilders, we were navigating uncharted territory, but David and Nick from KAST guided us through every step with clarity and professionalism,&#8221; adds Andy.<\/p>\n<h2>Local Materials, Contemporary Form<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-25392 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ext-700x1050.jpg\" alt=\"The exterior is clad in local stone and timber with terraced gardens down to the river. \" width=\"519\" height=\"778\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ext-700x1050.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ext-250x375.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ext-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ext-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ext-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ext-120x180.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ext-1200x1800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ext-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 519px) 100vw, 519px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A big part of the home\u2019s design success is the choice of materials.<\/p>\n<p>Local stone on the lower two storeys connects the building to its surroundings, while the cedar cladding on the top floor helps it blend into the woodland visible behind the property and around the creek.<\/p>\n<p>Behind the stone facing, the house is constructed from concrete block, with only the timber-clad section a combination of steel and timber frame.<\/p>\n<p>The build took 25 months before the couple could move in, which they found frustrating, and the first stage in particular \u201cfelt very long,\u201d says Melissa.<\/p><div class=\"gdmag-prop-in-content-mpu-3\" id=\"gdmag-3029661501\" data-cfpa=\"20294\" data-cfpw=\"20294\"><div class=\"gdmag-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><div class=\"GRVMpuWrapper\"><div class=\"GRVAd inline\" data-ad-type=\"mpu\" data-ad-sizes=\"[[300,250]]\" data-ad-refreshmapping=\"always\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">;new advadsCfpAd( 20294 );<\/script>\n<p>This involved building a 30m long retaining wall, where the lower floor steps into the hillside.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s not visible from the road, but this was \u201ca huge, technical operation,\u201d recalls Andy.<\/p>\n<p>In such a deeply rural spot, mains gas was never an option, so the couple opted for a low-carbon trio: an air-source heat pump to run the underfloor heating, solar panels for on-site generation, and a mechanical ventilation system that keeps fresh air flowing while capturing warmth from the air it expels.<\/p>\n<p>This is complemented by a \u201chuge amount\u201d of insulation and triple glazing.<\/p>\n<h2>Learning as they Built<\/h2>\n<p>The couple, who had never run a build project on this scale before, chose to hire a local\u00a0builder and subcontractors, paying them by the hour.<\/p>\n<p>They also dealt directly with material suppliers. Although pleased with the results, Andy and Melissa now believe this approach created little incentive for efficiency on-site.<\/p><div class=\"gdmag-prop-in-content-mpu-4\" id=\"gdmag-287869293\" data-cfpa=\"20294\" data-cfpw=\"20294\"><div class=\"gdmag-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><div class=\"GRVMpuWrapper\"><div class=\"GRVAd inline\" data-ad-type=\"mpu\" data-ad-sizes=\"[[300,250]]\" data-ad-refreshmapping=\"always\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">;new advadsCfpAd( 20294 );<\/script>\n<p>Another challenge was the decision-making required to bring such a substantial home to completion.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe were very focused on detail, and found the requirement for decisions \u2013 from tiles to door handles, step size to lighting plans came thick and fast. Andy put a lot of work into us being consistent,\u201d says Melissa.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe managed this by treating it as a job, living on-site for five days a week over ten months.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe had a big safari tent, which we furnished from the old house we were demolishing, with a kitchenette, a log burner\u2026we had some fun with it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Engineering the Hillside<\/h2>\n<p>While some of the delays will be familiar to anyone who has run a significant build project \u2013 yes, the windows were delayed \u2013 Andy and Melissa faced a unique challenge.<\/p>\n<p>A long steel beam runs front to back, underneath the living room floor.<\/p>\n<p>Their youngest son remembers seeing his dad \u201cbouncing on his house\u201d during construction.<\/p>\n<p>Andy was checking the level of movement in the floor, given the span of this main beam.\u00a0 (Think like the twanging of a guitar string!)<\/p>\n<p>It turned out that \u201cfor residential properties, resonant frequency analysis is required only if the beam is over 8m. Ours was 7.9m.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Andy\u2019s investigation of this level of movement meant that the beam needed further reinforcing to avoid later issues.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was never going to be a huge problem,\u201d says Andy, who had owned a machine-making business before retirement and therefore has relevant expertise.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt came as a surprise. But would anyone else have spotted it?\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Light, Space and Views<\/h2>\n<p>Andy\u2019s previous business life again became relevant when the couple needed a company to make the striking steel and oak staircase, also designed by KAST.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe used <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spiral.uk.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spiral UK<\/a> as I had previously sold them steel-cutting machines,\u201d says Andy.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-25393 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/stairs-700x1051.jpg\" alt=\"Open tread oak and steel staircase designed by KAST\" width=\"518\" height=\"778\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/stairs-700x1051.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/stairs-250x375.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/stairs-768x1153.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/stairs-1023x1536.jpg 1023w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/stairs-1364x2048.jpg 1364w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/stairs-120x180.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/stairs-1200x1802.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/stairs-scaled.jpg 1705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 518px) 100vw, 518px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This staircase, with its open treads, adds to the overall sense of airiness in the house, further enhanced by 2.3m-high internal doors, large windows and expansive glazed sliders \u2014 including an 11m by 2.7m panel that perfectly frames the views.<\/p>\n<p>Rather than opt for oak throughout, the couple gravitated towards the warmer, reddish-brown tones of less commonly used timbers, including etimoe (also known as African rosewood) and sapele.<\/p>\n<p>The kitchen,<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIs designed to look like a giant block of wood,\u201d says Andy. Built by local firm <a href=\"https:\/\/georgerobinsonkitchens.co.uk\/\">George Robinson Kitchens<\/a>, there is no extractor hood to mar the cabinetry\u2019s sleek lines, and a hidden door opens into a walk-in pantry.<\/p>\n<p>Ideal, says Melissa, for keeping the mess out of sight when entertaining.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-25395 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kitchen-700x1051.jpg\" alt=\"The kitchen appears like a solid piece of wood, with a secret door to the utility room. \" width=\"518\" height=\"778\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kitchen-700x1051.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kitchen-250x375.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kitchen-768x1153.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kitchen-1023x1536.jpg 1023w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kitchen-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kitchen-120x180.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kitchen-1200x1801.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kitchen-scaled.jpg 1706w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 518px) 100vw, 518px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>A Home for Two &#8211; and for Many<\/h2>\n<p>The house\u2019s layout balances two varied needs: working beautifully as a home for two most of the time, yet easily expanding to accommodate Andy and Melissa\u2019s large family and many friends.<\/p>\n<p>The focus in this contemporary self-build is on generous living spaces (there are three such spaces \u2013 snug, living room and movie room) while the bedrooms are more modest in size.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut we use all of the house, and it adapts to all those changes,\u201d says Melissa.<\/p>\n<p>The couple took on the interior design themselves, though Melissa did enjoy a visit from a colour specialist from paint manufacturer<a href=\"https:\/\/coatpaints.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Coat<\/a> to confirm the colour palette choices.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe wanted everything inside the house to be subservient to that view of the river.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-25394 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/master-bedroom-700x467.jpg\" alt=\"The master bedroom is located on the top level of this contemporary self build. \" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/master-bedroom-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/master-bedroom-250x167.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/master-bedroom-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/master-bedroom-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/master-bedroom-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/master-bedroom-120x80.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/master-bedroom-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Curating the interiors of this contemporary self-build meant reassessing decades\u2019 worth of belongings and keeping only what truly suited the new home.<\/p>\n<p>Treasured pieces, such as Murano glass, paintings, and rugs from India, now sit comfortably within the calm, contemporary scheme, reflecting the life they\u2019ve built together.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLocal designer Ali Cary is a friend of mine and has done a super job of offering up choices of furniture and fabric options that blend the new seamlessly with the old.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Life on the River<\/h2>\n<p>Now the couple live full-time in their new home, enjoying access to the water from their pontoon and generally messing about in boats.<\/p>\n<p>What do they feel was their best decision during the build?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cKnocking the original house down!\u201d laughs Melissa.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI love the connectedness, the inside\/outside feeling we have here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI love the light,\u201d adds Andy. \u201cThis has been a long-held ambition; we just love being on the river.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>All images: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.formphotography.co\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Form Photography<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u201cWe love the Helford River, and when we looked at the house that stood here previously, we did not think there could be a better spot for us,\u201d says Melissa Cooke, a retired strategy consultant. Melissa and her husband Andy, also retired, bought a 1930s home in an extraordinary location on this Cornish river, famously&#8230; <a class=\"view-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/self-build\/contemporary-self-build-helford-river-cornwall\/\">View Article<\/a>","protected":false},"author":12312,"featured_media":25396,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-self-build"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.3 (Yoast SEO v26.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>contemporary self build - Grand Designs Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A retired couple replace a 1930s house with a contemporary self-build that is designed to sit sensitively on Cornwall&#039;s Helford River\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/self-build\/contemporary-self-build-helford-river-cornwall\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Demolition and Self Build: Starting Over\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A retired couple replace a 1930s house with a contemporary self-build that is designed to sit sensitively on Cornwall&#039;s Helford River\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/self-build\/contemporary-self-build-helford-river-cornwall\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Grand Designs Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/GrandDesigns\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-18T10:26:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-20T08:14:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/steps-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Alexandra Pratt\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@granddesigns\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@granddesigns\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Alexandra Pratt\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/self-build\/contemporary-self-build-helford-river-cornwall\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.granddesignsmagazine.com\/self-build\/contemporary-self-build-helford-river-cornwall\/\",\"name\":\"contemporary self build - 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