Creating a Forever Home Without Compromise (Fordingbridge, Hampshire)
3 Aug 2026Overview
When Shane and Lindy began reimagining their cottage in the heart of Fordingbridge, their vision extended far beyond creating additional space. Having previously considered moving, they instead chose to invest in the home they love, designing a striking contemporary extension that would futureproof the property and allow them to enjoy it for many years to come.
At the centre of the project is an Aritco HomeLift Access. Positioned as a key architectural feature rather than something hidden away, the lift has become one of the home’s defining design elements.
“We wanted it to be a design statement,” explains Shane.
“We weren’t trying to hide it away. It looks fabulous. People walk in and say, ‘Wow.’ It fits perfectly with everything else in the room.”
The HB&R show
The idea of installing a lift first came after visiting friends who were renovating their own home and incorporating one as part of the project. Already familiar with the challenges of restricted headroom from researching lifts for another property, Shane wasn’t convinced it would be possible within their own home.
That changed after visiting the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Farnborough, where he spoke with the Gartec team.
“The first thing I asked about was the restricted headroom,” he says.
“I thought it would stop us having a lift, but Gartec explained how a platform lift with a half-height gate at the upper landing could make it work. That completely changed what we thought was possible.”
Designed around the home
After visiting Gartec’s showroom in Aylesbury, the couple were able to explore the lift in person, discuss technical details and see the available finishes, giving them complete confidence in both the product and the team behind it.
“I’m the sort of person who likes to understand exactly how everything works,” Shane explains.
“Being able to see the lift, talk through all the technical details and ask questions made all the difference. The Sales Manager who demonstrated the lift, knew every aspect of the product, and that gave us confidence from the very beginning.”
Working closely with Gartec throughout the design process also allowed the couple to maximise the available space. By incorporating adjacent entrances on different floors, they overcame the property’s pitched roof and restricted headroom while creating a layout that felt completely natural to use.
The lift’s anthracite grey finish was carefully coordinated with other design features throughout the extension, including the windows, radiators and wood-burning stove, allowing it to become an integrated part of the home’s contemporary interior.
Matt Akerman, Home Sales Director at Gartec, said:
“One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was seeing how the lift became an integral part of the home’s design rather than simply an accessibility feature. Shane and Lindy embraced the opportunity to make it a focal point, while also futureproofing their home for many years to come.”
Built for today and tomorrow
Although installed with the future in mind, the lift has already become part of everyday life.
Moving furniture between floors during the build was made considerably easier, while transporting shopping and other heavy household items has become effortless. More importantly, the couple know that if their mobility changes in years to come, their home will continue to work for them without compromising their independence.
“This is our forever home,” says Shane.
“The lift isn’t going to stop us getting older, but it means we can continue living the way we want to. If one of us ever struggles with the stairs, we’ll still be able to use every part of our home and stay where we want to be.”
Lift specification
Lift: Aritco HomeLift Access
Bespoke features: Glazed shaft wall panels, anthracite grey finish
Technical details: 900 x 1280mm platform, 2 stop, automatic double doors at ground floor, Half-height upper landing gate, adjacent entrance configuration, oak vinyl flooring
Reasons for purchase: Futureproofing a forever home, improving long-term accessibility and creating a feature that complements the contemporary extension.
