"It’s nice to be able to keep an eye on Mum; it’s so lovely having her here."

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“All my friends want one,” said Susan Price. “I have the best of both worlds, with my own front door and my daughter across the garden. And I feel as though I’m on a permanent holiday!”

Susan is the proud new owner of a smart Norwegian Log building which sits at the bottom of her daughter Tracey’s garden. Cleverly positioned so it is flooded with natural light, the building boasts a stunning fitted kitchen/living area, double bedroom, utility room and a larger-than-average bathroom with a sleek walk-in shower. The exterior is finished in a contemporary shade and a bi-fold entrance door opens onto the garden.

All thanks to Tracey spotting a Norwegian Log van and realising a solid log granny annexe located in her garden would be the perfect solution for her mum. “None of us are getting any younger and Mum’s old cottage had very steep steps, so it just made sense. When I saw the Norwegian Log van I took the number down and gave them a call,” said Tracey. “It’s good as Mum has her own access, everything’s on one level and the rooms are a perfect size. It’s also nice to be able to keep an eye on Mum and it’s so lovely having her here.”

From the initial call, the team at Norwegian Log managed the whole process from planning to build. “Everything was so quick. We went to Reading to view the show lodge. They started in November with planning, then started building in April and it was finished in June. Everything went so smoothly,” said Susan.

“It’s so warm and well insulated, I just think it’s excellent,” she said. “When people come to visit, they come through Tracey’s garden gate and just say ‘wow’. It’s like a secret garden. I can also pull the door blinds at night and I could be anywhere.”

Susan is now on hand to help out with her grandchildren if needed. She has also just enjoyed a holiday in the Canary Islands and is now planning a trip to India with a friend. “Selling my cottage has freed up money and has given me the freedom to do whatever I want to do,” she said. “It’s just such a good set up.”