The Diamond Windows

The hayloft had two small diamond windows. No glass. One was stuffed with red rags, the other with bottles.


We knew we had to move them, because they were where we wanted to put two full-size windows, to let more light into the bedrooms. I'd thought just to move the diamonds closer together along the back wall, but then realised that they would be where we're building the bedroom walls.

Then friends asked why we weren't putting windows in the walls "with the best views" at either end of the cottage. That was because the walls were going to have fitted cupboards under what we thought would be sloping eaves - but we've changed the shape of the roof, made it simpler (and less expensive to build). So now we've been able to put in four diamond windows; two at each end of the cottage, in the walls with the best views.

The original windows had solid stone angles that went together to form the diamond shape. The holes of the two new extra windows are framed with tiles.

Now each bedroom has a diamond window either side of where the bed will go. The windows peep out on fields and distant farms and look as if they've been there forever.