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A modern living room features green sofas, a wooden coffee table, and decorative lamps. Slimline sliding doors lead to large windows, revealing a grassy landscape with water in the distance.

Family finds ‘Bliss’ with beautiful coastal new build in Blakeney

Home › Case Studies › Family finds ‘Bliss’ with beautiful coastal new build in Blakeney

  • Balustrades
  • Picture windows
  • theEDGE2.0
  • Windows with openings

    • If you live in heavenly surroundings, you’ll want to make the most of them! Discover the story behind this gorgeous redeveloped estate.

    Omaze Norfolk Home Omaze Norfolk Home

    We are thrilled that Bliss Blakeney is the latest Omaze home, raising money for the incredible work that the RNLI. For more infomation about how you could win the chance to own Bliss Blakeney visit www.omaze.co.uk

    The Bliss Blakeney story

    Prior to being the Omaze Norfolk home, Bliss was designed and built as a family home by Daniel Broch and his partner Lisa Lipscomb. Discover their story below.

    Love at first sight

    Before Bliss Blakeney came to be, the site contained a 1950s house and outbuildings that were plainly out of touch with the area. When they first saw the existing house for sale, Lisa and her daughters went to investigate while Daniel was away in Scotland. It was the view that ultimately captured their hearts, which is no surprise as the home boasts spectacular views of the North Norfolk coastline, sea and salt marshes. “Daniel asked if the view was what he thought it was,” says Lisa. “I said yes, and so we bought it by sealed bid without him even having a viewing.”

    The unspoiled views out over the salt marshes to the sea

    “When we both saw the plot we felt confident – we were ready for a project that would push us a bit”. With extensive experience in property development, Lisa and Daniel were ready to take on the challenge – building their own family home. And so began the work.

    Before building Bliss, the family resided in the existing 1950s house for a year to truly immerse themselves into the location and experience it in all seasons, taking into consideration the weather, the humidity, the salt from the sea air: “We lived in the original house and worked out how to make the most out of the land and space, and decided what the layout should be and where things should go.”

    Bliss Blakeney is set in large grounds on the edge of the village

    Having previously worked with him on several projects, Lisa and Daniel chose Anthony Thistleton from Waugh Thistleton Architects, to help make their dream a reality. With Anthony on board, they put together a detailed plan of how they wanted to live in the house and move around the space.

    Construction: Finnish flat-pack

    “The last houses that we built together were London-based, and they became the first CLT (cross-laminated timber) residential houses to be built in the UK,” says Lisa. CLT is a sustainable building material consisting of planks or boards of sawn, glued, and layered wood (usually spruce or pine). Each layer is oriented perpendicular to the previous layer, making it a strong and versatile building material.

    Building on their previous success with CLT, they once again turned to this innovative material for Bliss Blakeney. The home’s structure was precision-engineered off-site and delivered flat-packed.

    CLT is not commonly used for residential properties in the UK, although it is popular in mainland Europe – known mainly for its unique appearance and sustainability. The CLT used to build Bliss was sourced from a factory in Finland that produces the material by burning offcuts and planting trees to replace everyone it uses.

    As it arrived ‘ready to construct’, the main part of the house took just seven weeks to build.

    The front of the house enjoys stunning views out to sea

    The Cabin

    The family decided to build an impressive four-bedroom ‘mini’ home on their land to stay in while the main house was being built.The Cabin, which is now a gorgeous getaway for holiday-makers, was also created off-site using CLT and took only three days to construct.

    The Cabin at Bliss Blakeney

    After staying in The Cabin for six months, they “moved into the main house and lived in it, breathed in it, and were consumed by it,” explains Lisa. “We were the construction company, and so we all knew our strengths and we allowed each other to do our bit. Construction was Daniel’s department and finishing was mine so it worked well.

    “And then slowly but surely we worked our way through the house. It took a while to finish because there’s a lot of high-end joineries, which takes a lot of time. Everything is bespoke and every finish is carefully considered – it was a labour of love.

    Open-plan spaces & sea views

    Aptly named ‘Bliss’, the home offers enviable open-plan spaces, including a beautiful kitchen-living area, fitted with IDSystems’ theEDGE2.0 ultra-slim sliding doors and boasting stunning sea-views.

    “You could say that the kitchen-living area is one of my favourite rooms, because of the openness,” says Lisa. “When you pull both of those doors back, you can move through the room from the courtyard to the front of the house, which really is special.

    “That’s probably IDSystems’ big tick – creating something that’s no longer just a room but that feels like a canopy, just a roof and no walls. It’s amazing.”

    The kitchen is light and spacious, featuring vibrant coral-coloured walls and ceilings. The living area features slightly darker tones yet welcomes the light thanks to IDSystems’ sleek ultra-slim sliding doors.

    The open-plan layout coupled with the cosiness of built-in fireplaces and log burners make the house perfect for all seasons.

    The stylish kitchen at Bliss Blakeney

    The courtyard

    Another interesting aspect of Bliss is the courtyard, which features a pool, palm trees, and a lounging area, evoking that perfect holiday feel.

    “The courtyard is my favourite ‘room’ even though it’s not a room at all! I think the courtyard is quite a unique thing to have in a home – to live around a garden and have all your doors open out into a garden with a pool and palm trees is unusual.”

    The Pool and Courtyard at Bliss Blakeney

    Something for everyone

    The courtyard isn’t the only “unusual” feature of this incredible home.

    “We have a spa area as well as a steam room, treatment room, gym and a little salon because I was originally a hairdresser in the West End,” says Lisa, “We also have a beautician who comes and does treatments.

    “We wanted to live in the countryside but with all the facilities you can have on your doorstep in a town or city. So, while we live remotely, we’ve made sure we’ve got all the things we could ever want – and way more.”

    A tribute to Everyman

    The home also features a cinema room and for good reason too. Lisa’s partner, Daniel Broch, is the founder of Everyman Cinema, a highly successful, luxury boutique cinema chain.

    “Everyman Cinema was like our baby and she grew up and we wanted to bring her home, so the cinema here is our little nod to it,” says Lisa. “Without Everyman, we wouldn’t have got here, so our cinema room is a little bit nostalgic.”

    The Cinema Room at Bliss Blakeney

    Letting the light in with slim sliding doors

    “The best decision for the design of the house was, without doubt, the light. None of these rooms would have the drama without these huge windows that I can just open up and have an inside-outside room,” says Lisa.

    “We live right by the sea and we wanted to see it from as many windows as we possibly could. And the bigger the better.

    “These windows frame the view like a piece of art. Every day I get something new”

    “When we saw that IDSystems had a slim frame that really was a game-changer for us. We needed everything to be stunning and beautiful and light, and almost like you’re not even aware there are windows. To be honest, it’s the lightness of the design that won the day.”

    The home features theEDGE2.0 ultra-slim sliding doors to enhance the gorgeous view over the salt marshes and estuary. The three-panel sliding doors perfectly frame the view of the coastline, with two further sets of theEDGE2.0 included within the main living/dining room, one on to the decking area at the front of the house and a second into the courtyard.

    Edward Stobart, Sales Manager at ID Systems adds: “The biggest challenge on this project was the location – being so close and so exposed on the coastline would cause issues for some competitors’ door systems because they do not offer as good protection from wind and rain.

    “The salt in the air also can cause issues with the paint work on aluminium doors so the doors needed a marine-grade paint finish to protect them. The fact that nearly seven years on from installation they still look as amazing as they do is a testament to the products quality in even the harshest of environments. If they can survive and still work perfectly in that location then a customer buying a set of doors for a (more typical) London extension project can be reassured that their doors will last.”

    The open-plan design and innovative use of glazing minimise the energy usage by creating a light-filled home, encompassed by breathtaking scenery.

    “Rooms are a little bit boring, really – it’s all about the view. IDSystems gave us our views, which are spectacular because at the front we’ve got the sea and then we’ve got the courtyard. So, rooms? You kind of spend your life staring outside rather than inside,” explains Lisa.

    “My favourite time of year in the house is all year round because these windows frame the view like a piece of art. Every day I get something new.”

    The doors perfectly frame the views out

    Since the creation of Bliss Blakeney, Lisa has developed a strong passion for interior design and has recently started her own business: “ I’m now starting a company to help those buying second homes with their interior design. So, that’s a new kind of venture for me. I was always interested in interior design and I think this house just pushed me to another level. I suppose a passion has become more of a business.”

    Lisa also worked on the interior design for the family’s other business, Bliss Hotel, an impressive waterside development located in the coastal resort of Southport.

    Innovative glazing with IDSystems

    Whether you’re building your dream home or renovating, we’re here to helpIDSystems offers innovative glazing solutions, customisable to meet your exact needs and specifications.

    Gallery

    Aerial view of a rural landscape with fields, slimline sliding doors on houses, and greenery leading to a vast flat coastline under a clear blue sky.
    View through slimline sliding doors showcasing a grassy landscape under a clear sky. Some red metal chairs are visible outside.
    Aerial view of a large, modern rectangular building featuring slimline sliding doors, situated in a grassy area surrounded by fields and trees, with a single person standing on the lawn in front.
    A modern two-story building with large windows and a sleek wooden exterior is surrounded by a grassy landscape. Slimline sliding doors lead to a patio adorned with red chairs, beside which stands a charming white tipi.
    The outdoor seating area features slimline sliding doors, with two white sofas facing a wood-burning stove under a rustic wooden roof. Decor includes framed pictures, lanterns, and a turquoise rug on the wooden floor.
    A modern living room with a wooden interior, featuring a gray sectional sofa with colorful cushions, a rustic coffee table, and an open kitchen with pink cabinets seamlessly connected to the dining area through slimline sliding doors.
    Modern living room with a black wall, large windows featuring slimline sliding doors, and a mix of cozy seating. A wooden ceiling, potted plants, and a framed rabbit picture accent the space. A fireplace is lit on the side.
    Modern house with a minimalist design features slimline sliding doors opening to a large rectangular pool and colorful patio furniture on a wooden deck.
    A modern living room features green sofas and a wooden coffee table, enhanced by slimline sliding doors that offer an expansive view of the grassy landscape. On the left, a console table with decorative lamps and mirrors completes the space's elegant charm.
    Aerial view of a rural landscape with fields, slimline sliding doors on houses, and greenery leading to a vast flat coastline under a clear blue sky.
    View through slimline sliding doors showcasing a grassy landscape under a clear sky. Some red metal chairs are visible outside.
    Aerial view of a large, modern rectangular building featuring slimline sliding doors, situated in a grassy area surrounded by fields and trees, with a single person standing on the lawn in front.
    A modern two-story building with large windows and a sleek wooden exterior is surrounded by a grassy landscape. Slimline sliding doors lead to a patio adorned with red chairs, beside which stands a charming white tipi.
    The outdoor seating area features slimline sliding doors, with two white sofas facing a wood-burning stove under a rustic wooden roof. Decor includes framed pictures, lanterns, and a turquoise rug on the wooden floor.
    A modern living room with a wooden interior, featuring a gray sectional sofa with colorful cushions, a rustic coffee table, and an open kitchen with pink cabinets seamlessly connected to the dining area through slimline sliding doors.
    Modern living room with a black wall, large windows featuring slimline sliding doors, and a mix of cozy seating. A wooden ceiling, potted plants, and a framed rabbit picture accent the space. A fireplace is lit on the side.
    Modern house with a minimalist design features slimline sliding doors opening to a large rectangular pool and colorful patio furniture on a wooden deck.
    A modern living room features green sofas and a wooden coffee table, enhanced by slimline sliding doors that offer an expansive view of the grassy landscape. On the left, a console table with decorative lamps and mirrors completes the space's elegant charm.