Laura and Bill had lived in this property for 20 years and although it's a large house many of the rooms just didn't work. Laura explains, 'They were the wrong size and shape and mostly far too cold. The back of the house was also very ugly from outside, making the slightly scraggy garden even less enjoyable.'

The couple had also acquired a big backlog of maintenance jobs, 'There were bits falling off, a 40 year old boiler and so on, so it made sense to redesign the whole thing,' says Laura.

Laura and Bill had met three architects previously, though none of whom seemed to quite understand how they wanted to live.

'We turned the process around, and found a highly recommended builder, Cramond Renovationswho had worked with TAP Architects before and thought that they would be a good match. We knew pretty soon when we met them that they would be right for us and could guide us through the kitchen extension process. It was particularly helpful that they combined architecture with interior design.'

'The starting point was actually a de-clutter – after 20 years, we needed help with that and found it locally at LifeEdit, who were brilliant at helping us focus on what we wanted to keep and what could be let go.

'That got us into the change process, as well as cutting down on the need for things to go into storage. The renovation needed a huge number of decisions, and the declutter certainly got us some practice with those.'

'We knew that this was going to be an all-in project, and it took 14 months in the build. We had decided to move out which was quite liberating in a way because it let us (and the team at TAP) think about every room in the house – and every room has been upgraded.'

Laura explains that this also reduced the need for compromise. 'For example, if all the floors are being replaced anyway, that's the time to install modern heating. Emma at TAP was fantastic at understanding what we wanted, even when we found it hard to describe beyond saying "we want some wow factor here!", and showing us ideas and suppliers that we would never have found by ourselves.'

What the family was missing was a social area for everyone to hang out. 'We wanted the kind of place where everyone congregates at the end of a working day, to decompress and relax. We had a small, cold kitchen, a dank utility room, a rather dark and enclosed family room, and a tumbledown conservatory. Everything was the wrong shape, in the wrong place, the wrong temperature and worn out. But in a way that's a good thing, because it gave TAP more scope for radical change at the back of the house.'

Take the tour of Laura & Bill's family home

Kitchen

'This space is a great place to cook without having to disappear into a separate kitchen – Archispek (another recommendation from Cramond Renovations) produced a very elegant kitchen that works really well.'

Kitchen diner

'TAP transformed and extended the back of the ground floor into a wonderful open plan snug / dining / kitchen area, which is stylish, spacious, warm and light and with a gorgeous view and link to the garden – designed and installed by the wonderful Water Gems.'

The beautiful extension ceiling was formed with Douglas fir beams.

'We can sit in the house and enjoy the garden, or sit in the garden and enjoy the house. One end of this space has Victorian cornicing, the other is ultra modern, and it all works together.'

Snug

'The snug / dining / kitchen extension is our favourite place in the whole house. It's such a great heart for the house and a wonderful place to be at any time of the day or night.'

'The concept is perfect, and there are lots of beautiful details, we're really glad we went with the Douglas fir beams as they are so eye-catching and really give a modern look to the space.

Our family life is much more social – our children, now young adults, have far more elegant and comfortable bedrooms to hang out in, but many evenings are shared, full of conversation and warmth.'

Bedroom

This bedroom has the lovely bay window as a main feature with built in wardrobe storage. The chocolate brown walls are accented with navy damask curtains. A white wall radiator keeps the room cosy during the colder months.

Bathroom

The family bathroom is light and airy and painted in a dusky pink. To create a more relaxing feel there are plenty of wall lights for ambience. The stone flooring adds warmth and texture.

Shower room

The shower room is dark and dramatic with colour drenching in a dark green that's striking against the white sanitaryware.

To the left is the shower which is decorated with textured green metro tiles and finished with antique brass style fixtures and fittings.

Get the look

'We still have to pinch ourselves to prove that it's real – we have light and shade, drama and calm. Rooms that were too cold to use for most of the year are now warm and stylish, and used frequently.

'Having good underfloor heating, an air source heat pump and solar panels means that the whole house can be comfortable all the time. We can have friends round without having to warn them to bring extra jumpers!'

Having initially decided to sell the property as they’d outgrown it, these home owners had a re-think and opted to extend instead, which has given them the extra space they craved plus room for a new and improved kitchen-diner too.

‘Six years after buying our three-bedroom house and with a second child on the way, we decided to sell up and find a place with a bigger kitchen, extra bedroom and driveway,’ says homeowner Jenny Evans @our_sheffield_terrace.

‘We loved our old kitchen but it was separate from the rest of the house and we wanted an open-plan space where the kids could play while we cooked.’

‘After accepting an offer, we couldn’t find a better property and realised we’d be killing ourselves with a high mortgage for not much more space. It made more sense to put the cash into extending our current home.’

‘We’d already updated the kitchen a year after moving in, replacing the orange pine units with new grey shaker ones from Wren. Since they had lasted well and had a 25-year guarantee, we hoped to re-use them and add extra pieces from the same range.’

‘Our architect, Moi at MAAD Studio, was very technically diligent and sketched three layout options when we were planning the kitchen extension. Straightaway I liked the most expensive one which involved moving the kitchen into the old dining space and creating a big opening into a light-filled dining room with a playroom and seating area. This involved having two external walls knocked down and two chimney stacks removed, but as we might be here forever, we felt it was worth it.’

‘I wasn’t keen on having bi-folds across the rear as that would’ve obscured the view, and we needed a pillar in the middle anyway. I’m always letting the dog in and out, so it was easier to have patio doors by the dining table and a big picture window by the playroom.’

‘After approaching seven builders and getting three quotes back, we chose the lowest one as they could start in January, five months before our second child was due.'

'Unfortunately the start date was pushed back three months so I couldn’t be on site as often when the baby came along. The team were lovely though and bought a card for the baby and even a little wheelbarrow for our son.’

‘Before work began in April 2023, my father-in-law had carefully taken the units out and made us a temporary kitchen on the landing which really helped during the five-month project.’

The kitchen before

‘I used design app Canva at the kitchen planning stage to help me to piece together our old units with new ones, then Wren Kitchens drew up a new layout.'

'We needed a new run of tower units for the back wall, a new tap and basin, plus a bigger base unit for a new induction hob. However we kept our old oven and dishwasher, and even managed to re-use the 130-year-old skirting and architraves from the dining room.'

The kitchen in detail...

‘Nothing’s gone to waste in our room makeover, as a friend took the old wall tiles and eventually the old worktops and tap will be installed in the cellar to make a utility room. My father-in-law fitted the units, so we saved thousands.'

'Unfortunately the old grey doors were in a discontinued shade, so we decide to paint the cabinets and opted to have everything re-sprayed in Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster by Bespoke UPVC Sprayers, which took two days. Brass handles were added for warmth as the old ones were chrome.’

‘The kitchen flooring was the hardest to find. Originally I wanted eco-friendly cork but it was expensive and I couldn’t find a local fitter. Then I considered reclaimed parquet but it was about £150 per square metre and wouldn't have worked over underfloor heating.’

‘That's when I started looking at wood-effect porcelain tiles. Most of them had a grey tinge, but eventually I found these lovely birch-effect ones with a warmer tone. The large format is easier to lay and it’s a bit different from the typical herringbone, although they are more prone to movement.’

‘Rather than compromise on fundamentals like floor tiles and quality appliances, we’ve pushed back a few buys instead. For instance, we still have our old fridge freezer until we can afford an integrated one, we need a new part for the extractor fan along with new stools, and we’ve delayed putting a green roof on the extension. We also saved about £600 by an end panel for the peninsula ourselves, which was much cheaper than Wren’s.’

‘Although the price for the building work was fixed, some items weren’t included in the original quote, like plywood for the sub-floor, so it ended up the same price as the second cheapest building quote. Getting a really detailed breakdown is so important.’

‘I was in two minds about whether to have the sink or hob on the peninsula island, but it was safer to have the sink here when the children are sat at the stools. As I spend more time washing-up than cooking, I can enjoy the view.’

‘When it came to lighting ideas, we picked glass pendants over the dining table as they spread the light nicely, while wall lights give a subtle, soft light for the evening. I swooned over this painting while on holiday in Devon, and my husband bought it as a surprise for my 30th birthday.’

‘I bought the sofa from the bridal shop where I work. It was a lovely green linen but I wanted some pattern and had it re-upholstered and treated to make it fire retardant. The three prints by Erica Just were from an art fair at Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens.’

‘The extension has been game changing for us. Before I'd have to shut the kitchen door and try to keep the children entertained while I cooked, but now with the open-plan playroom I can actually get stuff done. The underfloor heating makes it much warmer and we have a great connection to the garden where the children can play outside while I keep an eye on them.’

‘There’s no TV in here so the kids probably watch a lot less too. Although the extension didn’t give us an extra bedroom, one day we might create a master with en suite in the attic, so we'd be grateful and happy to be here forever.’

After moving into a four-bedroom 1930s house in southwest London with their two children, the homeowners soon realised that the typical thirties layout of rectangular bathroom with a separate toilet down the corridor really wasn’t working for them.

‘The bathroom was badly laid out with the bath and basin underneath the window and there was also a large cupboard with an old boiler in it that took up lots of space at the entrance to the room, says the home owner, ‘plus the toilet was separate too.’

‘So as part of a larger renovation project, we extended to the side and rear of the property, added a downstairs shower room, master bedroom ensuite and then made plans to change the current bathroom to fit in a shower bath, toilet and vanity unit.’

‘We were keen to respect the history of the house, with the work we had planned. The house itself is one of the architect-designed Berg houses, which were described as “two estates of exceptionally fine artistic houses, chosen for their position surrounded by low hills and a beautiful expanse of Surrey countryside”.

‘They were all freehold detached houses built by E and L Berg and I’d always been interested in owning one. They don’t come onto the market very often, and many of them have had their insides ripped out sadly, but we’ve tried to stay true to the ethos of the houses.'

'I mailshotted this particular road and said we were keen to buy and preserve the features, and we managed to get one. Then it was a question of how we could improve the house and the only existing small bathroom.’

The bathroom before

‘The original bathroom was badly laid out and the bath felt crammed in, with a chunky vanity unit squeezed in at the end and a large cupboard with an old boiler taking up lots of space at the entrance to the room. There was also lots of dated pine panelling everywhere, which all had to go.’

‘We realised we could reduce the size of the cupboard by two thirds and just make it into a shelved airing cupboard accessed from the landing and we re-sited the new boiler in the office-come-playroom, which was the old garage. This gave us a lot more room to play with.’

The reworked layout

‘When it came to the bathroom planning, there wasn’t really room for a separate shower, but by hugely reducing the boiler cupboard we could easily fit in a shower bath, with a screen, which works really well. And by putting a new vanity unit on the opposite wall, with a compact toilet, the other side of it, we freed up space down to the window, which makes the room look so much bigger.’

‘It wasn’t possible to save the original window, as it was beyond repair, but the new window is a like-for-like replacement, double glazed rather than single. We drew out the original lead pattern for it to be replicated.’

‘The toilet, from Drench, has been relocated within the bathroom room rather than down the corridor, which is so much better. The biggest cost was the stack pipe and drainage due to relocating the toilet from the back of the house to the front.’

‘With the basics in place, we started to make decisions on bathroom decor and thinking about colours and styles. We wanted very much to stick with a thirties vibe and looked at paint colours from that era before choosing a luxurious green for the walls called Green Smoke from Farrow & Ball.’

‘We also wanted to bring in some geometric shapes and found these fabulous Art Deco-look Pod Mono wall tiles from Mandarin Stone, as well as bringing some wood and metal into the scheme with the vanity unit and shelving.’

The bathroom in detail...

‘Once we’d found the black and white bathroom wall tiles, we carried on the monochrome theme with a bathmat and gathered together black and white vases I’d collected over the years. I wanted to add in a little bit of another colour, so some of the towels are pink, and we have a pink ceramic tooth mug, and a fun flamingo vase.’

When it comes to a wall radiator, I’d always advise choosing a spot with a bit of space around it. This free-section of wall was perfect and we chose a black finish rather than chrome so it would blend in with the decor.’

‘Adding a hand-held shower as well as a fixed shower head makes it easier for cleaning and washing hair. Rosie the pink bath duck lives in that corner!’

‘The Hexagon gloss white bathroom flooring worked really well with the black and white wall tiles.’

‘The eco-friendly toilet paper is on subscription from Who Gives a Crap, so you never run out, plus the colours of the wrapping fit in with my scheme and they look neat stashed in a basket.’

‘With the base of black, white and green, it means we can easily change it up with the accessories if we ever want to. We’re thrilled with the result, and instead of people not being keen to go in the bathroom, it’s become very popular!’

Get the look

When this couple first moved into their house 20 years ago, the bathroom needed replacing almost immediately and they chose a neutral scheme that worked well for family life.

But when the underfloor heating broke down last year it prompted a refresh. 'After all that time, the space felt a bit tired, and the floor tiles we had originally chosen made it feel dark, even though it's a bright room. They showed dirt and hair so were hard to keep clean,' explains the homeowner.

'Our main criteria for the new bathroom was a practical space with lots of storage, somewhere for a laundry basket and that it used plenty of natural materials.'

After a bad experience with builders the first time round, they were keen to work with a supplier who could help with everything, so when a friend recommended The Tap End Bathrooms in Cardiff, the couple enlisted their help to reconfigure the space.

Although the new layout stayed mostly the same, moving the shower made the biggest difference to the new design, providing bathroom storage ideas for baskets, as well as a large alcove for keeping bottles to hand.

‘One of the biggest problems in our old bathroom was having nowhere in the shower for products - there were always shampoo bottles all over the floor,’ explains the homeowner.

After deciding on practical wood-effect tiles for the floor, which would be compatible with underfloor heating, as well as easy to clean, Laia set about finding something of interest in the shower area.

‘We came across these amazing bold wall tiles by chance, just as we were leaving the showroom,' recalls the owner. ‘I thought it would be too much black and white, as they are so geometric. But when the designer showed how we could put it all together, it was a scheme that really resonated with us.'

'We wouldn’t have considered using marble as a material,' she continues, 'because I thought it would give a pristine hotel-style bathroom look which we didn’t want.'

'But it really works with the rest of the scheme, and the mosaic ones in the shower alcove look amazing - I can’t stop looking at them.’

Get the look

The bathroom in detail...

A deep, wood-clad windowsill provided the perfect spot for plants and greenery above the bath. Balancing a black and white bathroom scheme with natural materials like wood and marble creates a calm, yet warm result.

‘Every inspiration picture we found had natural materials and a laid-back vibe,’ remembers the owner. ‘Moorish patterns appealed to us as well, and we were looking for a way to include that design.’

The bath was the original bath from the old space, but was updated with Ca’Pietra tiles.

A large shower tray provides ample space for showering, giving a wet-room effect. ‘The shower is so spacious and bright, and it’s very easy to keep clean,' says the owner.

‘I love the illuminated alcove as well,' sahe adds, 'it has long, marble mosaic tiles at the back which I can’t stop looking at. The alcove is just the right size for products and bottles.’

‘The mirrored cabinet lights up and is recessed into the wall, which is very practical’ she continues. ‘It’s got a charging point for our electric toothbrushes, so that stops them having to be out all of the time.'

'And the vanity unit drawers have internal organisers to make the most of the space, which my daughter loves to put her make-up brushes in.’

Under the vanity unit are sensor lights, which illuminate the room when you walk in at night time.

The existing bath was reused and updated with marble-effect tiles around the edge. ‘We wanted to keep the bath because it was still in perfect condition. Our designer Zoe from The Tap End suggested we use the same mosaic tiles as the shower alcove around the edge,' recalls the owner.

'At first, we couldn’t picture it, but it’s worked so well. I can’t believe it’s the same bath - it looks so different!'

‘Having the towel rail in the shower enclosure means you don’t have to come out of the shower area to dry,’ says the owner, ‘and being able to reach the controls before actually getting under the shower makes so much difference. It’s my favourite part of the room because it’s so practical and spacious.'

To elevate the neutral space, the couple chose eye-catching geometric tiles to make a focal point of the large shower area. For a co-ordinated result, the same tiles have been used to create a smaller splashback behind the double sink.

‘Although monochrome, they have a worn texture which adds warmth and softness,’ explains the owner.

Although originally planning to use chrome fixtures in the scheme, they were worried they would look cold against the marble tiles.

‘It was really useful to see real-life examples of furniture and bathrooms in the shop as I’m not sure we would have considered using black before,’ she explains.

‘I think the black shower and taps look timeless and less clinical, finishing the whole scheme off perfectly,' she adds.

‘We’ve really achieved a clutter-free space which is really practical,’ says the owner. ‘When the builders finished, I just couldn’t believe how different it looked. There are some lovely small touches which make a such big difference to daily life.’

Moving into this four-bedroom 1990s house in Berkshire, the back garden was fully-paved with ugly concrete slabs and an old pond which had been filled in for safety. It was overgrown and pretty uninviting, which meant the home owners hardly used it.

‘Revamping the garden was way down the agenda when we first moved in,’ says the home owner. 'We were busy juggling family with some ambitious renovation plans for the house. And as we had a front lawn with room to play and eat outside, the back garden wasn’t a priority.’

The garden before

‘The garden was mostly tatty concrete paving, plus some mature trees and shrubs, and lots of weeds. Apart from a bit of cutting back, we hardly ever went in it. Even so, it definitely had potential, and we chatted about making more of it one day.'

'Work on the house took several years, so by then I’d developed some really clear ideas for the garden in my head. I visualised a chilled, outside lounge that would be useful for years to come.’

The garden now

‘I’ve got some interior design experience, so to save the cost of a professional landscaper, I drew up my own plan. For inspiration, I looked online at contemporary, linear gardens made for relaxing, socialising and entertaining. The ones I liked best were in California or the Mediterranean, and they had modern, sunken bench seating, and minimal, easy-to-manage planting.’

‘I wanted decking around the seating, a firepit in the centre, and a white-rendered wall where we could all watch a film outside in the evenings. The entire garden had to be cleared, but I knew I’d keep the amazing palm tree in one corner, which looks quite exotic, and I left a tall photinia shrub, and a dark-leafed plum tree as well.’

Sociable seating

‘Our trusted builder carried out the skilled work, including levelling the plot and building the seating, but to save money, my husband and I pitched in as much as we could.'

'We helped clear the site and put up fencing. I salvaged some rose bushes and lavender which I replanted in the front garden and then we broke up the old paving.’

Cinema screen

‘The garden seating was constructed first, then the flower beds and the cinema wall. We tested our projector indoors to get the correct image size and distance from the wall, and to work out where to fix an outdoor socket.’

Timber decking

‘Next came the decking. We chose timber decking as it’s more economical, and painted it ourselves. All the rubble went underneath it, saving us money and legwork, as we didn’t need a skip to dispose of it.'

'Watching the seating and structures taking shape was really exciting as I could finally see the design coming together.’

Raised planters

‘With the structures all in place, there was just the planting to go. I chose potted perennials in pinks and mauves, like hydrangeas and campanulas that are easy to look after, and come back each year.'

'I’ve also got ferns, grasses, and lavender as an edging to give scent, shape and colour. I didn’t have much experience with plants, so it’s been a learning curve.’

Artificial grass

‘There’s a small patch of artificial grass, which isn’t my favourite thing, but it was all about easy maintenance. It never needs mowing, plus it’s clean, child and pet-friendly and always looks perfect!’

Colourful blooms

‘The garden definitely works like an extension of our home. It’s an afternoon sun-trap, and a lovely spot for a morning coffee, or just somewhere to sit and read.'

'If we’re entertaining in the evening, the adults chill and chat around the fire, while the children sit on beanbags for a film. Everyone loves it!’

Focalpoint firepit

‘I designed the cube-shaped, wood-burning firepit, which has a metal box insert that I found on eBay. When it’s not being used I like to fill it with decorative white pebbles from B&Q.’

‘I also designed the multi-level seating myself and it’s really versatile. Everyone can sit around the fire and chat, or watch a film on the screen opposite.’

Mature planting

‘I’ve kept a few established plants. The decking’s been cleverly cut around this lovely, tall Photinia Red Robin to make a feature.’

‘Leaving some trees was a good idea – they helped give the brand-new garden structure, and a more established feel. I did lose some plants through over-watering and over-feeding. After that, I read up on how to care for them properly so hopefully that won’t happen again.’

Screened-off shed area

‘I added a shed from Screwfix for storage. It’s concealed with slatted fencing as a screening idea and I painted it dark grey, so it almost disappears.’

Built-in lighting

‘We combined natural timber fence panels and nearly-black painted ones, which adds interest and makes the white benches really pop out.’

‘We also put in some very understated lighting that sits flush with the decking – it just brings the garden to life in the evenings. Now, we love being out here day or night.’

Get the look

When Tim Freeman moved back to his home town of Clifton Village, Bristol and bought a small commercial property, his intention was to build a compact bachelor pad while working on other projects. 

A mutual friend put him in touch with architect Lizzie O’Neill to help with the design and obtain planning approval, and a few months after planning the project they got together as a couple.

Work had begun on the difficult, small site when Tim’s builder went into liquidation and he was left with substantial financial losses. Tim and Lizzie decided to manage the project together with a shared vision: to create a spacious, low-energy home for them both to live in.

Since the building work started in April 2021, the total project has cost around £300,000. Starting with the demolition of the existing building, the house was rebuilt with SIPs (structurally insulated panels) to maximise internal space and boost thermal performance. 

We were keen to find out more about the renovation process, including what led to the interesting decision to model the house on an upside-down floor plan. Here are all the details the couple shared with us when we took a look around.

The perfect location

‘The plot has such an interesting history,’ says Tim. ‘It started life as a series of manure dumps and feeding troughs for horses kept in stables across the road. When it came on to the market more recently it was a lean-to style building for a pottery business and small cafe.'

He adds: 'I’ve always loved the location and although it was risky to buy a commercial property without planning permission in a conservation area, I naively thought it would take around six months to a year to finish.’

Planning 

‘We submitted the planning application in May 2020 in the knowledge that it wouldn’t be straightforward,’ Tim continues. ‘It was met with a number of objections from residents who were worried about the development of the plot. But after a bit of back and forth, and some changes to the design, planning was granted in August 2020.’

A big focus for the couple was to ensure that the new property required very little energy to run. They planned to use an air source heat pump to provide all the hot water and underfloor heating, plus adding solar panels to the flat roof.

Ups and downs

‘The plot is on solid bedrock with a retaining wall behind, so we couldn’t use heavy machinery to dig foundations,’ says Tim. ‘Metre-long holes were drilled and filled with silent dynamite, which slowly expands to crack the rock. It took around six months for the groundworks to be complete, and it was at this point that the main contractor went into liquidation. Lizzie and I started to manage the project together, using different subcontractors to get the work done.’ 

The house is built out of structurally insulated panels (SIPS), which are made off-site, so the perfect choice for such a small, tricky space. Plus, they are much slimmer than traditional cavity walls – every millimetre counts on such a narrow site.

The compact self-build home with two bedrooms and two bathrooms has an external design based on a traditional mews house. The property, which measures 18m by 3m, sits directly on the pavement and has an upside-down floorplan. The entrance hall, two bedrooms and two bathrooms are on the ground floor, with an open-plan living-kitchen-dining area and study on the first floor. 

Dining area

‘This space has so much flexibility for entertaining; the built-in seating has lids that lift up for extra storage,’ says Tim.

Exposed beams enhance the sense of height and add visual interest. ‘We didn’t want to over-complicate the palette, so went for a white backdrop and added earthy, natural materials,’ says Lizzie.

Kitchen

‘We’re really happy with the upstairs open-plan space as it’s full of natural light all day,’ says Lizzie. ‘Everything stems from the walkway on one side, and every millimetre counts.’

Rattan doors hide away the TV, rather than it being an unwanted focal point. Tim says that the breakfast bar that he managed to sneak into this area is his favourite space in the house. 'It’s only 20cm wide but is the perfect spot for a glass of wine while one of us cooks!’

Living room

‘Having all three zones along one wall meant the windows could be larger and lower, while a skylight also floods the space with light.’ The sash windows were painted a grey-green tone to complement foliage outside. Directional spotlights allow for flexibility and changing the mood.

‘We also ran the same flooring into the study, which provides a quiet space for working, if necessary.’

Guest bedroom

‘The bunk bed here can actually sleep three children, and was designed with friends plus their family in mind,’ says Tim. 'Drawers under the bed and a headboard with handy nooks save on space.'

En-suite bathroom

‘Both the main bathroom and this space have the same vertically stacked bathroom tiles and concrete basins for a sense of cohesion.’

Master bedroom

‘Rather than having bedside tables, we designed a bespoke storage surround that creates a cosy alcove for the bed. It’s made from off-the-shelf plywood with a veneer edging.’

Slimline shutters allow light in as well as providing privacy without adding bulk to smaller bedroom ideas.

Terrace

‘The small outside space at first-floor level is a great sun trap as the house faces south,’ says Tim. ‘It’s especially lovely as a morning coffee spot! We created planting beds using stone recycled from the build and added an L-shaped floating iroko bench.’

The couple added scented planting - including jasmine and herbs, plus miniature olive trees - which thrive in a sunny spot.

Focus on: air source heat pumps

Tim and Lizzie wanted to save energy and build an ecologically sound property, so they chose a green alternative to a boiler for heating and hot water. Air source heat pumps work a bit like a fridge, making one place warmer and another cooler. They are powered by electricity and are very efficient, around five times more effective than a gas boiler. This results in lower energy bills and less reliance on fossil fuels.

If you want to make the switch to this eco-friendly alternative, you’ll need a unit outdoors (about the size of a washing machine) to collect heat. It needs to be fitted to a wall or placed on the ground with space around it. Plus, you’ll need an area indoors for a hot water storage tank, about the size of a fridge freezer. Lizzie and Tim’s is under the stairs.

It costs around £8,000 to buy and install a pump, but there is a government grant available of £5,000 if you’re eligible. You’ll also need to check that your insulation and radiators are good enough; a heat pump is slower to heat a space than a traditional boiler. You could expect it to last from 20 to 30 years; it is a low-maintenance option compared to a traditional gas or oil boiler.

A team effort

‘With all the setbacks it took longer than we expected, and a huge amount of perseverance and positivity, to build our home,’ says Tim. ‘We finally moved in around two years ago and we love it here, it’s the perfect size and location for us.’

He adds: ‘Building a new house is never straightforward, especially when your builder goes into liquidation and leaves you in an incredibly stressful situation. But buying the property was the best decision I ever made. Being brave enough to give it a go, plus working with Lizzie and investing in that design time at the start of the project really helped. We were in a good position when we started the build.’

Get the look

When they first moved in, the new owners of this Victorian terraced house in south London had inherited a small kitchen with low ceilings. In order to make the small room feel more spacious, the previous owners stripped the kitchen of any colour so it was very much a blank canvas.

Their plans to make the space their own was to create a kitchen extension at the rear of the property.

'We knew we wanted a colourful space as part of a downstairs extension incorporating yellow and green,' explains the owner. 'We started working with Pluck on a design and we loved their colour palette options.'

'We chose to use a combination of their colours Market Mustard, Bonnington Green and Ritzy (pink). We then chose matt black fixtures, fittings and lighting to keep the rest of the kitchen feeling clean and consistent.'

'We had a good idea of what we wanted our kitchen to look like, but our architects Delve gave us the idea of digging down deeper into the foundations to give us more space.'

'Our home is already colourful,' she says, 'but we want more! We have a yellow gloss downstairs WC, a colour-drenched pink room and our baby’s room has yellow stripes on the ceiling and down one wall. Now, our new kitchen is colourful, spacious and ready for a party!'

The colour kitchen makeover

The tall pink cupboard is actually a stylish larder, with groceries stored close to hand when cooking. It also houses practical things like the best vacuum cleaner and cleaning products.'

'We chose to install polished grey concrete kitchen flooring,' explains the owner, 'because we like the clean, industrial grey look against the other colourful kitchen parts.'

A durable and easy-to-maintain flooring, polished concrete works well with underfloor heating.

The dining area with banquette seating

'Our dining area is great for entertaining a larger group and maximises the space we have. Working with an architect helped us piece everything together and create structures and features we hadn’t thought of.’

'After choosing the colours from Pluck for the kitchen cabinets, we were then able to colour match other areas of the kitchen, such as the pendant lighting, banquette seating ideas and window frames.’

'We’d seen similar banquette seating in cocktail bars, and thought a bespoke design would be a great way to maximise our entertaining space. We worked with Shoreditch Design Rooms on the design and upholstery and our builders made the base to fit.’

'It looks great - it uses the space well and is great for entertaining, but the material we chose for the upholstery is too delicate for everyday use. We’d choose a more hardwearing fabric if we did it again.'

The decorative details

'The kitchen lighting ideas are varied, with different options in each area; there’s a big pendant over the dining table, small exposed bulb pendants over the island, wall lights on the brick wall and above the sofa, and spotlights in the main kitchen area. We were initially worried that it might be too much, but it’s given us lots of flexibility.’

The induction hob from Bora features built-in extraction which negates the need for an overhead fan.

'We chose a vibrant terrazzo for the worktops and splashbacks in a colourway to link with our theme. The open shelving was inspired by what we had in the original kitchen; it’s a great place to display treasured ceramics.’

‘We matched the traditional colour bricks from the back of the original house and used them inside to add texture. Leaving the exposed brick wall and deciding not to render them means that they really stand out.'

'For an extra splash of colour, our builders suggested painting the structural column.'

The bespoke drinks cabinet

'The cocktail cabinet, made by Pluck, is our favourite part of the space. We chose London Plane wood.’

'The opening to the front of the house matches the angle of the skylights so that the spaces flow into each other.’

Understanding RAL colours

For exact colour-matching in your kitchen project, use the RAL system. Here’s the lowdown…

• For this project, the homeowners wanted to pick out their cabinetry colours and match them with other elements. And for an accurate result, they used the colour-matching system RAL, which defines the standard colours for paints, powder coatings.
• You might have heard of the similar ways to standardise colours, such as the RGB colour model, which is used in printing, or Pantone shades for fashion or product design. Before any of these were introduced, colour samples were exchanged and matched by eye.
• RAL was developed in Germany in 1927 and initially comprised 40 colours. Unlike the other colour systems, it can define matt, glossy and metallic surfaces. You’ll see an RAL written as a code with a colour description, such as RAL 6000 Patina Green. The numbers represent the hue, lightness, saturation, gloss level and if the colour is solid or metallic. For example, the ‘M’ in RAL 210-M represents ‘metallic’.
• To match RAL colours to your cabinetry in your own project, ask your kitchen manufacturer for the code and pass it on to your builder, the paint company or other manufacturers.

A conversation while on holiday led to the move to the house Kathryn Volgin and her husband, Dima, now call home. 

‘We had almost finished renovating our cottage in Derbyshire and were away on holiday, when we had a serious chat about starting a family,’ she explains. ‘It turned into me scrolling property websites from the sun lounger straight away!’ 

It didn’t take long before a listing for a Grade II listed farmhouse caught Kathryn’s eye. ‘We spotted the barn and as soon as I saw the fireplace and beams I knew it was the one for us,’ she says. 

The couple immediately placed their existing home on the market and then contacted the estate agent to put an offer in on the barn.

‘To my disappointment, I was told that the property had already sold,’ Kathyrn says. ‘But our estate agent told us not to give up and that they would do everything they could to help us get the house. I’m so glad I listened, because we actually sold our cottage super-fast and offered above the asking price to secure our dream home.’ 

This article first appeared in Country Homes & Interiors. Subscribe and save here.

Before

The barn is part of several outbuildings belonging to a farmhouse, all Grade II Listed, that were erected in 1161 by Cistercian Monks of Kirkstead Abbey in Lincolnshire. Left to crumble, it was eventually restored from rubble in 1900 for the Earl of Effingham, and underwent further renovation in 1985 for modern living. 

‘We naively didn’t think the barn needed much work, just a new kitchen, a lick of paint and a couple of new carpets. Like most older properties, it isn’t until you begin to start work that you uncover the cracks,’ Kathryn muses. 

A broken boiler, some leaky radiators and patches of damp needed their immediate attention.

Structural changes

The couple also removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room, to allow light to pass through the barn. The changes meant the fireplace would be part of the kitchen. 'It’s now the perfect space to cook and dine, especially in the winter when the fire is on,’ Kathryn says. 

More recently, they have created a vaulted ceiling in the principal bedroom with Velux windows that required an architect, planning permission and a structural engineer.

Honouring original features

Kathryn describes herself and Dima as a pair of perfectionists; a quality that is evident throughout. The finish is immaculate yet retains all the rustic charm one might expect. 

‘We used stone slips to add more character to the space because the original stonework was in such a state, and sourced more natural materials which were in-keeping with the barn,’ Kathryn says.

‘I wanted to create a home that is cosy and comfortable, where nothing is too precious. The furniture is worn and loved and everyday life just adds to its charm and character,’ she says. 

Comfy sofas, a country-style kitchen and creamy neutrals create a relaxed vibe that would be hard not to feel at home in.

Exterior

The building dates back to 1161. Kathryn and Dima believe their part of the barn was originally the stables. 

Kitchen

The kitchen has all the ingredients of a classic country style with a range cooker, a butler sink, panelled cupboards in creamy tones, and rustic wood. A low wall provides a degree of separation from the dining area and doubles up as a handy breakfast bar. Kathryn opted for a cream colour for the walls as a warmer alternative to pure white. 

Dining area

The log burner was in place when the couple moved in and it’s the heart of the home. The family loves to eat at the table by the fire during the colder months and Kathryn uses the oak above the fireplace to hang foliage and bunting for special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas. 

Kathryn found the farmhouse table on Facebook Marketplace. To finish, she chose curtains in a beautiful slubby and grainy linen fabric to create a cosy feel.  

Living room

Loose covers on the sofa are practical, particularly with two dogs and a young child. Kathryn opted for a wool carpet to provide a sense of warmth in contrast to the hard flooring throughout the rest of the downstairs. 

Wood wall panelling provides a welcome change of texture to the stone wall, and has been painted in one of Kathryn’s favourite neutral shades. A small ledge at the top of the panelling is the perfect place for Kathryn to showcase old framed oil paintings as well as some of her vintage stoneware pots.

Main bedroom

A vaulted ceiling in the bedroom creates a stunning focal point. Skylights allow light to flood the room, while rustic wood panelling adds to the mood and complements the original beams.

The couple used stone slips to replace some of the damaged internal stone, which also provided the opportunity to insulate and ventilate the room to prevent damp.

Child's bedroom

A soft blue paint colour on the wall panelling adds a refreshing note of colour to her son's room. Kathryn has decorated the room with some playful safari animal pieces.

Bathroom

The bathroom boasts space for a voluminous freestanding bathtub. Tongue-and-groove wall panelling and a Victorian-style tiled floor were already in place and provide a period feel.  

Guest bedroom

The guest room has a quiet, and restful feel thanks to a calm neutral palette, an upholstered headboard and layers of texture on the bed.

What's next?

‘I like to mix old and new to give our home some personality so it doesn’t look the same as every other home,’ says Kathryn, adding that, since the arrival of their son  a year ago it is, first and foremost, a family home. 

‘The main aim for our home is to make it work for family life now and for the future when our family grows,’ she smiles. 

If you're considering ditching the capital for a more affordable housing market, that will give your family space to grow then prepare to be inspired to take the leap.

‘We’d been looking for a larger home but couldn’t afford the next size up in London where we were living at the time,’ explains the homeowner. 'So moving to Folkstone, where we’d be close to the sea and to the children’s grandparents, seemed like the obvious solution. And being able to walk to the beach is one of the best parts about living here.’ 

‘However, in order to get the size of house that we wanted, there were some compromises to be made – namely in the condition of the property. This place had been rented out for 20 years and the previous tenants had adapted some of the downstairs rooms due to mobility issues.’

The Victorian semi's exterior

‘We knew the house was going to need a lot of work, but it had some beautiful original features that attracted us, along with a basement and large staircase that were big selling points. Plus, we’d already renovated our old home so were ready to get stuck into another project and transformation.’

‘We moved in in 2018 and set about making the house a family home. Being so rundown forced us to do a lot of work quite quickly to ensure it was habitable and safe for the children, so the first 18 months were pretty busy. All the walls were covered in woodchip and needing replastering, there was a major leak in the main bathroom and the kitchen cabinets were falling off the wall! Doing all the painting ourselves, with three children who at the time were six, four and two, wasn’t easy, but I think we did okay!’

Dark blue living room

'Both myself and my husband like dark interior colours and mid-century furniture, so we already knew the look we wanted for our new home. We’ve added colour through our choice of artwork and the quirky décor throughout. I love artwork and we probably have too many – I still don’t have them all up yet after five years of living here!'

‘We have lovely high ceilings in this house, especially the living room, and as it’s so light it could take a darker colour on the walls, so we colour-matched the paint to Farrow & Ball’s Downpipe. We sourced the Muhammad Ali original boxing poster from an antique shop in Margate, while the 1980 print is from Habitat. Our leather sofa came from John Lewis .’

Period fireplace

'We’ve sourced lots of furniture and accessories from Facebook Marketplace, like our original Victorian fireplaces, and I love charity shops and car boot sales, too. We have a rocking horse in our living room that I spotted at a car-boot sale as I ran past it while out for a jog… and then had to carry home through Folkstone!'

‘The fireplace we installed in the living room was a bargain find on Facebook Marketplace from a house that was being renovated. Our amazing carpenter made the cupboards either side and a lot of the accessories on the shelves are gifts – my friends and family know I love small trinkets. The pink chair came from Swoon.’

Bright and airy dining room

'Our dining table was another Marketplace find and the man who sold it to us said it had been in his family for 65 years. It feels like a table that has witnessed a lot of love from its previous family and we’ve already made lots of memories sitting around it eating and drinking in the last five years. I’ve teamed it with chairs that I sourced from a variety of sellers on eBay.'

‘The brick wall in the dining room has about 10 layers of paint on it! I’ve started to strip it back as I’d like to get it back to original brick and then seal it, but it’s taking longer than expected. We wanted to keep the brick as it adds texture to the space, and I think it complements the wall colour in the kitchen and adds a bit of a contrast. This dining space was originally a lean-to that we converted into a more useable area – we were lucky that the footings were the right depth so it didn’t need too much work.’

Bi-fold doors

‘Adding bifold doors to the dining area make it feel much larger as we can fully open up the back of the house onto the garden. I love our mid-century chairs, which I sourced from a variety of sellers on eBay.’

Chic pink and navy kitchen scheme

'The kitchen-diner was originally a smaller kitchen, breakfast room and lean-to, but we opened it up to create one space. We were lucky with the footprint and size as it’s a large property and we didn’t need to extend it. This is our favourite room and it’s where we spend most of our time as a family, plus it’s a great space for holding parties! The old pub sign above the door is from Etsy.’

Well-designed layout

‘We chose cabinetry from Second Nature for the kitchen – the style is called Mornington Shaker – along with an island that’s ideal for the kids to eat at. The breakfast bar stools are from Habitat and the terrazzo floor tiles are from Mandarin Stone.'

'We’d chosen a traditional-style kitchen design so I wanted flooring that lifted the design and created a bit of wow factor. The pattern also masks a heavy footfall and doesn’t need daily mopping with the kids running in and out.’

Hob-side shelving

'Adding some open kitchen shelves either side of the oven gives me a spot to keep items we use regularly, along with some colourful tins. We bought the range cooker from John Lewis.’ 

‘I bought the shelving unit from Etsy as I liked the idea of having open shelving rather than more wall cupboards. It adds interest to an awkward wall shape, too. The hen is from my mum – she has a similar one and I’d always liked it, so she bought this one from a local antiques shop to her when we bought our first home in London.’

Stairway gallery

'We’ve done so much, though, and I’d say we’re about 70 per cent finished. I still want to strip back the staircase and banister, as at the time we just did a quick touch-up job, but I’d like to get rid of the thick white paint that was already there.'

'Some of our artworks are displayed on the stairs, while a vintage unit we found on Facebook Marketplace is used to store photographs and the sewing machine. There’s also a cupboard at the top of the stairs that I store random clutter in. It keeps it hidden out of the way!’

Vibrant bedroom

‘We were inspired by the décor of the Standard hotel in King’s Cross for the interior of our bedroom and I like that it’s a cosy space. We wanted it to have a retro vibe and I liked the idea of a block colour across the walls, wardrobes and curtains, to create a striking look.'

'I love the colour as it’s both dark and vibrant, and makes the chair, bedding and artwork really pop. Our ‘For Your Eyes Only’ print is from Eddy Bennett and my cushions are from TK Maxx and Habitat.’

Painted wardrobes

‘I love the handles on our wardrobes, which I bought from Anthropologie. The washing basket is from Habitat’

‘We went for a Valspar paint in here, that we colour matched to Farrow & Ball’s Stiffkey Blue shade. The door leads to our en-suite which was originally a cot room. My bedding is from Habitat and the blanket is from Wolf & Badger. The vintage chair is the same as the one in our living room, as they came as a set of two.’

Cute girl's bedroom

‘Our daughter's bedroom was very much directed by her… she loves pink and bright colours. I wanted it to be a fun space where she’d be able to play and be a reflection of her bubbly personality. Our favourite shop for bargains is B&M, so I took her there and let her choose a lot of the items, like the lamps, bedside tables, “Hello” plaque and eye mirror. The unicorn head on the wall was made by a friend when she was born, and the bedding is FURN. She loves her room and so do her friends.’

Soft pink colourscheme

‘The fireplace was already there when we moved in. We painted the walls in Blush Pink by Dulux and the ‘I Want What You Want’ print is by Anthony Burrill.’

Panelled bathroom 

‘We wanted the bathroom to have a period feel and match that of the house, so we chose to put in the panelling ourselves, painting it in Craig & Rose’s Ottilie. 

The bath and sink were bought from a large Victorian property in London that was being converted into flats. We actually got the bath, two toilets and two sinks for just £250 by bidding on eBay! The children use this bathroom and we have our en-suite.'

Bold accent details

‘I painted the window frame yellow to bring a pop of colour to the bathroom as the heavy colours felt quite flat. We chose traditional fittings to suit the age of the house and give it a luxurious feel.'

In hindsight, there are a few things I’d have done differently. We originally wallpapered the family bathroom, but it gets such heavy use that the wallpaper started to peel quite quickly. It just wasn’t a practical choice. We also chose a gorgeous, luxurious carpet, but it’s been wrecked by the children and a few parties we’ve had.'

'Despite that, I'm really pleased with what we've accomplished so far. The house feels really cosy and unique to us and suits our family's vibe and energy.'

Focus on: Using dark paint colours

Make a bold move and step over to the dark side.

• Contrary to popular belief, dark paint colours show up marks on walls just as much as light shades, so using the right type of paint is key. If your walls have any imperfections, steer clear of gloss as its high shine and reflective properties will only highlight them.
• If you’re worried a dark paint colour will feel too dreary, help lift it with an accent colour. Yellow, blush pink and even orange all work well to add life to a darker scheme, so pick one and use it in small hits around your room.
• Dark colours will ‘close’ your walls in, so it’s ideal if you want to make a long wall feel smaller or create a cosy vibe. If, however, you’re still on the fence when it comes to going over to the dark side, why not start with just one wall to see whether you like it?
• Look at the features in your room when it comes to deciding which areas to paint dark. Skirting, alcoves, doors (and frames), all make good choices, and you can decide whether you want to use a combination of dark and light paint, or go all the way by painting the whole room dark for a cocooning feel.

When renovating old buildings, there are many issues that you have to deal with but one problem that tends to crop up the most is the layout. Traditionally, Victorian properties had small rooms - the smaller the space, the easier it was to heat. 

The original layout of the rooms was also unusual - or at least unusual to today's standards - with a general lack of access to the rear garden. 

This three-bedroom Victorian semi-detached maisonette apartment in South London was the perfect example of this - the rooms were disconnected, dark and dreary, urgently needing light and more flexibility befitting of modern life.

The owners were a couple whose children had long left home, and they had bought the maisonette in order to downsize. They could see the potential in the property, despit the dark cramped layout and enlisted the help of architect Lanre Falase at Bolans Architects to help create a new, more livable design.

Here, Lanre explains how when designing this kitchen extension, the combination of a well-planned space and natural light can make the world of difference to a home.

'The maisonette apartment had no real connection to the beautiful garden beyond,' explains Lanre. 'In order to rectify this, we opened up the lower ground floor and introduced a number of multifunctional areas. We always try to utilise natural light as a material to create a better feeling of space and a connection to the outside.’

'Before work began,' he continues, 'the maisonette received very little to no natural light. We designed a new infill side extension with an elongated roof in the shape of a scalene triangle. The ridge rooflight forms a natural chandelier which provides a connection to the sky and draws natural light into the deeper parts of the subterranean space.'

'The main roof of the extension,' continues Lanre, 'was raised to create a pitched roof with a larger than average 2.5m long ridge rooflight. This has doubled the height of the space and ensures more natural light reaches the lower ground area. To lessen any noise disturbance - a common side effect of multi-unit living - we introduced high-spec soundproofing.'

'New additional entrance points and connections to the garden have been key to the space's success,' explains Lanre. 

'The kitchen space which now forms the heart of the home, acts as a social space for the homeowners, their grandchildren and guests alike. We have been able to create a multifunctional light and airy space that gives them the much-needed flexibility to use their space in a way that best serves them.’

A smart new space

The new dark kitchen units provide a striking focal point in the airy space thanks to the large amount of natural light thanks to all the new glazing. 

The contemporary style of the space is further evident in the microcrete floors and horizontal timber panelling on both sides of the space, mirroring each other with a strong sense of symmetry.

The large central kitchen island ideas which features an integrated wine fridge helps zone the kitchen area in the open plan space. The island adds more welcome counterspace in the compact kitchen area.

Two steel beams have been installed to support the upper floors of the maisonette. Instead of letting it blend in, this exposed steel work is highlighted for its architectural use and finished in a contrasting copper shade. 

Light from above

Apart from the kitchen cabinets, the rest of the space is decorated in a pale, neutral shades to let the sunlight that floods in from the rooflight and windows to fill the space as much as possible. 

A large expanse of the side extension roof is glazed in order to provide views out and let light in. The pitched form of the skylight also adds interest to the space as the striking design draws the eye upwards and out. 

Space-saving pocket doors

Large pocket doors provide level access to the new decked patio area of the garden. The aluminium frame unit slides away to provide a clear visual of the exterior space.

They instantly create an indoor-outdoor feeling within the space, further enhancing the sense of connection to nature. 

This clever space-saving feature is a sleek modern addition that contributes to the clean and uncluttered aesthetic.

A compact cloakroom

Space has been maximised in the extension by installing a cloakroom under the stairs. Again, they chose to install sliding doors to space on space, this time they're clad in horizontal timber panels. 

This is the existing section of the ground floor area, with the existing fenestration style remaining largely unchanged. However, the new kitchen features plenty of storage helping to keep the open-plan area looking tidy.

Must-have storage

Bespoke storage has been built using the same style as the panels that enclose the WC; this open system, much like an open plan boot room provides practical storage solution for shoes and coats.

Featuring integrated seating, the timber bench provides a comfortable space to stop and prepare to enter or exit the house.

The horizontal slat cladding is repeated here to create a sense of continuity while at the same time clearly identifying the practical storage areas within the room. 

This feature effectively defines the essential storage areas from the main food preparation zones. 

Although modern in design, the timber material helps to create a sense of warmth. The neutral shade makes for a unified finish with the bronze wall shade and wooden bannisters.

The exterior

The extension is lined in London stock bricks to the flank wall and freestanding timber screens to mask the pipework serving the extension and apartment above. The screen also helps to pronounce the form of the extension. 

Exterior cladding in aluminium has been applied to the rear of the extension to provide a contemporary monolithic form sitting comfortably against a more historical Victorian semi.

The property before renovations began

The property is a ground floor maisonette within a semi-detached four storey Victorian building. 

The owners had exclusive access to the a mature garden to thr rear of the building, but there was no connection between the outdoor area and the interiors, with the latter cramped and requiring modernisation. 

Outside, there was plenty of space for expansion without encroaching too much on the garden.

Focus on - Structural steel supports

Architect Lanre Falase, shares his top tips and ideas...

• EXPERIMENT WITH LIGHTING Exposed steel acts as a secondary light feature within a space where you often conceal LED lighting within the web of the steel to provide soft ambient lighting to the spaces they inhabit. 
• LAYER THE COATINGS Steelwork should be coated with intumescent paint to provide fire protection, and then painted using your choice of colour.
• ARRANGE A SITE VISIT Ensure the fabricators visit the site first to measure and discuss the interfaces in detail with the contractors and Architects. 
• ALWAYS CHECK THE PLANS Don’t be afraid to request fabrication drawings.
• IT MAY NEED TO BE CUT Steel may need to come in two separate pieces due to delivery constraints etc. The connection details for a splice (cut) will need to be understood and agreed beforehand. Openings can be designed to avoid having to splice steelwork on site to create a seamless exposed steel member.

It's common to come across stories of people renovating their homes and doing their best to retain all the original features, sometimes even returning architectural details that had once been stripped out from the property by previous owners. 

However, your home dates from a period that wasn't memorable for its decorative techniques or it was built with practicality in mind rather than design, it may have lacked these features to begin with.

What you're often left with is an old property with no discernible style, without adequate insulation and a poor layout. This is where renovating is a must, whether you're looking to transform the entire space of bit-by-bit with extension ideas for every budget.

Giving a tired property a complete refresh

This two-bedroom 1930s brick and white rendered bungalow featured an awkward layout, with a complicated arrangement of rooms. The whole house was dark and cold, it lacked insulation and had a poor overall energy performance, or EPC rating.

The owners enlisted the help of Chambers McMillan Architects to bring the dated property into the 21st century. They chose the practice because they  spotted one of their renovations on the same street when they were looking for properties to buy. 

They knew that their design would be considerate to the neighbourhood and that they already had experience with local planners.

Ian McMillan, co-founder of Chambers McMillan explains what they did to transform the dated bungalow into a cosy, contemporary home.

‘As the house is on a north-facing sloped site,’ explains Ian, ‘the back garden was overshadowed by the building itself, so we came up with the concept of designing a long kitchen and dining extension out into the garden, which catches the afternoon and evening sun directly into the space.'

'From the new front door,' continues Ian, 'a 15m long linear rooflight draws you from the entrance straight into the garden, and offers views of the sky and weather outside from all parts of the new living accommodation.'

'In terms of upgrading the existing house,' continues Ian, 'the home report highlighted that the property was uninsulated and had a poor EPC rating, so we suggested fully insulating the home as part of the project works.'

'We decided to take out the gas boiler, and opt for energy efficient InfraRed heating panels in combination with photovoltaic solar panels on the roof and a home energy battery.'

'Ultimately,' Ian says, 'the owners wanted more space and light. The sliding doors to the extension and large bedroom and attic windows combined with the ground floor rooflight have created an impressively light-filled home despite being north-facing.'

'The owners have said that as soon as you walk into the house, the light from the skylight "just hits you and lights up the colours on the walls, which is the icing on top of the cake". 

Also, in terms of space when their family comes to stay, the house can comfortably accommodate seven guests at the one time (in the two bedrooms, as well as the snug and study), which is great for a house of this size.’

Redesigning the floorplan

The reconfigured house now features a redesigned loft conversion, and five rooms on the ground floor - a living room, snug, two bedrooms and study.

The 15m long rooflight is one of the most eye-catching features as it begins at the front door, leading the eye straight through to the garden. 

Chambers McMillan talked the owners around from using a palette of plain neutrals to include some bold colour. They told them that they could paint over it if they didn’t like the finished result but when the owners saw the newly decorated spaces, they were smitten.

Open plan perfection

The exposed steelwork in the ceiling and posts have been painted in the same mustard colour to break up the white of the kitchen and adds to the colourful character of the space. 

The bright green wall also matches that of the kitchen and dining space at the back of the house, as well as the green front entrance door. The black window frames also create a contrast to the white and light grey kitchen.

Bringing in the light

They used high performance, frameless bespoke glazing, mainly to keep energy consumption down and installed internal wall and underfloor insulation. 

They also installed photovoltaics and a storage battery and switched all electric power so the property doesn’t use any fossil fuels. As a result, the house has gone from a typical EPC D to an EPC A rating.

A bigger and brighter space

The plans involved increasing the master bedroom in size and adding an ensuite, so the original wall was ‘pulled out’ of the original elevation to create a bay window.

The extended bedroom now features a large picture window and two side windows that overlook the garden, adding to the peaceful ambience. The bedroom has greater privacy as it’s been separated from the main living and circulation areas.

A room with a view

Rather than add a loft bedroom, they decided to create another living space. Although the space is small, it opens out onto views of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth. The owner's neighbours felt the attic dormer room would overlook them, but Ian's model demonstrated that this wouldn’t be the case. 

This new upstairs living room flooring is made of timber, together with and plywood walls and ceilings, all of which creates a quiet relaxing space. This is in contrast to the bright colours to the new kitchen and dining area.

Joining the old with the new

The homeowners wanted any changes to the front of the house to be low-key, as they were keen to blend in with the neighbouring properties.

At the front, the existing doorway and door has been retained to preserve the original character of the house, as requested by the planners when they granted planning permission, while the new entrance to the side is located in the former garage.

‘We wanted the new parts to be distinct and visible from the existing house,’ explains architect Ian, ‘so we chose zinc to contrast with the slate roof. The owner is originally from the US, so he likes the horizontal clapperboard feel of the cladding, which contrasts the traditional rendered Scottish masonry walls of the main house.’

'Ultimately,' recalls Ian, 'creating a space with lots of light in a north-facing property has been the most rewarding aspect of this project.’

The bungalow before renovations began

The previous layout of the house was three main rooms: two at the front and one, plus a kitchen and WC, to the back. The garage had been converted into a bedroom which meant accessing it had to be through living space. 

The stair to the attic was in one of the front rooms, again meaning access and circulation was through the living areas. Chambers McMillan suggested moving the front door to the right garage side, which would create a suite of private bedrooms to the left of the property which was separate from the entrance and living spaces.

Focus on - Oversized rooflights

Ian McMillan, co-founder of Chambers McMillan Architects gives us the lowdown...

• Size matters -The standard size of oversize is 1m x 3m. After 3m in length you need to have silicone joints between the glazing units.
• Go long and compromise - For longer units, you’ll have to decide whether to remove or retain structural elements.
• Think about angles -The units can be flat, but remember that rain is never ‘clear’, and will leave deposits on the flat glass. Try sloping it at 10 degrees.
• Choose key positions - Try using the rooflights along circulation paths, or at the entrance, so it has maximum impact and wow factor.
• Make it work for you - With the internal upstand, think about integrating with internal lighting, or a colour to work with sky blue, or using mirrors to accentuate the length.

Additional words by Caroline Ednie

While a garage often comes in handy for extra storage, this homeowner found a far better use of space, extending her two-bedroom cottage into the garage and converting the space into an extra bedroom, dressing room and luxe en-suite.

'We couldn’t be happier with how it’s all turned out. The bedroom looks fantastic, we’ve got more wardrobe space than we’ve ever had before and we have even managed to fit in a dressing table, too.'

Relaxed pink and green colourscheme

‘I’ve always been drawn to period properties and when my husband and I saw this 1650s cottage in Enfield it was love at first sight,’ says the home owner. ‘The place was in good condition, but it had been decorated in a very modern way, which didn’t suit the style of the house. Bit by bit we began changing the interior to a more traditional look throughout, with lots of vintage buys combined with heritage colours and prints.’

‘We took our time with it and finally had the house looking just how we wanted, but then made the decision to extend the house to include a third bedroom, which would not only give us a larger sleep space, but also a dressing area and en-suite bathroom.’

The garage before

‘We had a garage at the side of the house, which we only used for storage, so we decided to use this as part of the extra bedroom space and started planning how to convert it. We hired builders to brick up the garage doors and fit new windows, along with an internal door and walkway into the rest of the house. This was actually the hardest part of the project, as finding builders who were reasonably priced and will turn up when they say they will certainly isn’t easy.'

The re-worked layout

‘I knew I wanted the new garage conversion extension to feel spacious, so we asked for high ceilings, and as the bedroom would back onto the garden, which overlooks the countryside, we decided to include some French doors to make the most of the view – and so that we could open them up in the summer.’

‘Building began and over the next three months the extension was built and plastered, with wooden floorboards fitted over a new insulated floor, which we sanded, stained and oiled. Our build costs did go up quite a lot over these months, as it was during lockdown and materials like paint, wood and tools became a hot commodity.’

Through to the dressing room

‘Once the overall structure was built, we did a walk round with the builders to determine where to put the internal walls, as the space would be split into three (the bedroom, en suite and dressing room). We used boxes to mark out where our furniture would go, so we could check we’d have enough room.’

‘Because the height of the extension was a decent size, we were also able to include an open loft area, which we use as a snug when needed. It’s just one of the features that makes this space feel so individual and unique.’

Built-in dressing table and wardrobes

‘Adding bespoke fitted wardrobes to the dressing area was key and we went with Elle wardrobes in Clover from My Fitted Bedroom, which have a traditional look to them with their panelled design and are a lovely deep green.’

‘The team were great and visited to measure up, giving us some good tips on how to maximise the space we had – and once we were happy with the design the wardrobes were fitted within two days. We couldn’t be happier with them; we’ve got more wardrobe space than we’ve ever had before.’

Smart brass hanging rail

‘As a finishing touch, we added a brass rail to the outside of the fitted wardrobes so we can hang our outfits for the next day.’

‘I saw a dressing room on Instagram where someone had put a rail on the front of their wardrobes and decided to do the same. It’s great for setting clothes out the clothes you're planning to wear.’

Soothing colourscheme

‘In the main bedroom area, we went with a pretty pink and green bedroom scheme, painting the walls in Cooking Apple Green by Farrow & Ball. I chose curtains with a William Morris print from Curtains2go, while the rattan bedside tables, and a bamboo chair and ceiling light from Dunelm give the space a relaxed look.’

Hidden TV storage idea

‘As well as the fitted furniture in the dressing area, My Fitted Bedroom added an extra wardrobe to one corner of our bedroom. We use it for our bedroom TV, which we put on an extending arm, so we can just open the door and pull it out when we want to watch TV in bed.’

Pretty finishing touches

‘Our bed – and the bedding – were bargain buys in the sales, and I added some throws and cushions in varying pink and green shades to complete the scheme. I chose a mix of cushions, some square and one round, to add interest.’

‘I’ve also tried to repeat the pretty pink and green tones throughout the bedroom, such as in the wall prints which are from Fy!’

Mix of old and new

‘We both like a mix of old and new and wanted the bedroom to have some quirky touches. We had some wood left over from the build, so I looked online and found some mouldings that I could use to decorate it – we hung it above the bedroom blind and it’s a unique touch that gives the space personality.’ 

‘The pattern on the curtains and blind has a heritage feel to it and was first designed in 1876 by William Morris.’ 

Decorative details

‘The dressing area is open to our bedroom – we chose not to have a door here and made sure the wardrobes were in the same colour palette, to tie it all together. The room is a real mix of old and new – the bedside tables are from Dunelm, and the vintage-look radiators are actually from Trade Radiators.’

‘We’re so happy with how it’s all turned out and the view out to the garden is just beautiful. It's a far more practical use of space than the garage that was there before.’

Get the look

When Kate Andrews and Jake Willmore left London for North Yorkshire, they took on the task of renovating a Georgian property into a modern family home.

Kate Andrews, a creative manager at END. clothing, and Jake Willmore, brand director for Lavenham and George Cox, live in a renovated Georgian semidetached house in North Yorkshire, with their children.

Kate and Jake lived in London for 15 years before moving to North Yorkshire with their growing family. ‘It made sense to move back towards where I grew up. I wanted my children to be able to play outside and to be closer to my family,’ Kate says. ‘This house is much bigger than we needed but the location is perfect - the train station is just a ten-minute drive for Jake to commute to London once a week.’

After they left London and moved into the period property, Kate and Jake embarked on an ambitious renovation project, creating a modern home that suited their family's lifestyle. Here are all the glorious details about what that looked like.

Transforming a listed property

While the buying process began smoothly, the couple wisely chose to have a full structural survey carried out. ‘It came back at 42 pages long,’ says Kate. ‘I negotiated £75,000 off the price. There are still big jobs to be done but at least we knew that from the start. As it’s a Grade II-listed property, we need to apply for permission to change anything – even to drill a hole to rewire a light outside the front door.’ 

Before

‘The first thing we did was paint the yellow walls white, just to make things more bearable,’ says Kate. After six months the major building work began, with Kate’s brother-in-law (browsondesignandbuild.com) project managing. ‘There were so many tradespeople involved, all needing to be there in a certain order. We wouldn’t have known where to start without his help.’

When Kate and Jake first moved in, the decor, as seen here in the dining room, was very dated and the house needed rewiring and replumbing throughout. From start to finish the renovation process  had its challenges for the family. ‘The biggest shock along the way was how messy rewiring was – the walls were totally ripped apart,’ Kate recalls. 'There was so much mess I thought there was absolutely no way it was ever going to look nice or be finished. I couldn’t see an end.

‘We moved in with my sister, who lives locally, and popped back to keep an eye on progress. Something else I underestimated was the cost of lighting. We went a bit mad with the lighting plan, then I found out how expensive wall lights are, plus paying the electrician to fit them really added up.’

Time to decorate

The couple wanted to restore the Georgian property to its former glory so used period colours from Edward Bulmer and Farrow & Ball. ‘We’ve kept the tones fairly neutral and complementary. It has to have interest but we can’t afford to redo anything any time soon so we need to be able to live with it,’ says Kate. 

‘For furnishings, we love visiting local salvage yards and vintage fairs, plus Jake is very good at scouring eBay. It’s so much cheaper up here than in London but you have to go all the time to find the really good buys.’

The snug

‘We haven’t changed much in this room yet apart from adding the comfortable pink velvet sofa, which we already owned.'

Dining room

‘This was always the dining room with a wood burner but it had a dark red carpet and yellow wallpaper. We needed a steamer to remove it before painting in this calmer tone.’

Kitchen

The kitchen was built in place of the old utility room to make the most of the bigger space and garden views. Stud walls and a small loo were taken out, and the cupboard under the stairs was removed to create open shelving.

'We were worried a coloured kitchen would date so chose reeded wood instead. We got really involved in the design process and even helped to oil the kitchen in the workshop.’

The kitchen was also the ideal space for Kate to show her love for houseplants ideas. 'I bought a lot from an online marketplace and I propagate them to grow more. The original meat hooks are now used for trailing plants in here.'

Pantry utility

Jake’s idea to swap the kitchen with the utility room is something the couple looks back on as the best decision they made during the renovation process. ‘This room had been the kitchen with an Aga. We sold that and in its place created a large pantry with glass doors and a rich red interior wired with lights.

'There’s now so much light in the kitchen and it’s a much bigger space, which makes more sense for us.'

Hallway

‘This wood parquet flooring was laid to replace a green carpet. Eventually we will paint the spindles of the staircase black and add carpet to be in keeping with the house – the Georgians wouldn’t have had a runner.'

Main bedroom

Kate says the bedroom is her favourite room because it’s so calm and always tidy. 'We have a large dressing room with lots of storage, which means there isn’t anything to get messy in here.

'Originally we painted this room in a satin finish, but you could see every lump and bump on the old walls. It looked so bad that we repainted in a matt finish, which really helps to hide the imperfections.’

'Using the same colour on the ceiling gives the room a more finished feel and makes the original features, like the ceiling rose, really stand out – I might go back and do the same in the other rooms.’ 

While removing a wall in the main bedroom, the builders even discovered a hidden staircase to the loft.

Family bathroom

The family bathroom needed pipework under the floorboards replaced before the new suite could be installed.

‘This room had orange walls and an orange bath. We took out the airing cupboard and panelled the wall, then added a shower and bath. We kept it light and pared back so we can add colour with accessories.’

Focus on: Renovating a listed property

Kate and Jake have taken on an enormous renovation of their Georgian property, with the added complication of it being a listed building. 

• Period Property - Listed buildings can be of any age, but in general anything built before 1850 will be listed if it’s largely in its original condition. Most listed properties fall under Grade II, which means there’s a special interest in preserving them. 
• Getting consent - You must get permission from your local authority to make ‘material changes’ to a listed building, particularly if they affect the character or appearance. Without permission, you are committing a crime, which could mean fines, imprisonment and being told to reverse the work.
• Material changes - Replacing windows and doors, painting the exterior, roof repairs, building an extension or conservatory, adding walls or fences, adding a new bathroom or kitchen, changing brickwork or adding solar panels are all examples of things that will need permission. 
• Cost implications - The rebuild cost of a listed building is likely to be higher than a modern house as you may need specialist materials and tradespeople. Mortgage lenders may see listed buildings as riskier, so always do your research before buying.

What's next?

‘We’re around two-thirds of the way through the renovation,’ Kate explains. ‘Next is the living room, which we’ve just found out has a hole in the chimney. It needs scaffolding and fixing before we can add a wood burner and finally paint. After that, we plan to do the guest bathroom and add a roll-top bath to one of the guest bedrooms. 

'We want to be able to look after friends and family when they visit as we’re now so far away from London. One of the requirements of this house was that it had to be big enough to host everyone for Christmas without them being on top of each other.’

With any transformation or extension project, extending out into the rear of the property is usually one of the easiest and most effective ways to add space. Houses that also have traditional redundant side returns also offer an additional opportunity to extend out to the side, as well as to the rear, providing extra width as well as depth to a new extension. 

This traditional Victorian terrace in Battersea, south London had a confused layout without any clear connection to the garden. When the owners bought the property, it hadn’t been touched since the 1960s and was in desperate need of a refresh. 

The ground floor had been divided into a series of small rooms, including a utility room and bathroom at the back which allowed little to no natural light to filter indoors. The side return contained a set of steps leading up to the first floor of the house, rendering the 1.5m-wide space completely redundant.

The couple got in touch with Simon Graham, director at Yard Architects who helped them see how much space and light they could gain by just extending into the side return. Here, Simon explains the transformation.

‘When we started the project,’ explains Simon, ‘the homeowners were planning to have a family. They wanted a home that would grow with them for a long time, including a big kitchen with a sociable island space next to the garden.'

'However, the existing ground floor layout was convoluted – with a small bathroom and utility at the back and a gap in the side return, which was completely unusable. Plus, the kitchen was on the first floor.'

'Our solution, continues Simon, 'was to remove the walls on the ground floor to open the space out, as well as extending into the side return and to the rear of the house to create a sunny open plan kitchen-living-dining area.'

'To achieve this,' recalls Simon, 'we took out all the walls on the ground floor of the closet wing. This meant we had to support the two floors above while we did the work. We used huge steel beams to hold up the two storeys above what is now the kitchen-diner. Access was difficult because the house is on a busy road – so getting the 7m steel beams in wasn’t easy!'

The owners wanted the open-plan space to feel as bright and spacious as possible. The main run of units that sits level with the kitchen island has been installed at base level only, with open shelving above. 

Further down, there’s a run of tall floor-to-ceiling units that accommodate a larder, fridge and two ovens. There are plenty of clever kitchen storage ideas too, with the main bulk of the storage at one end of the kitchen to help the food prep area remain open and clutter-free.

'Another design challenge was the fact that the house is overlooked from the four-storey block of flats next door,' says Simon. 'We were mindful that if we incorporated a glass roof in the side return extension, which we wanted for the extra natural light, occupants in the flats would see straight down into the kitchen.'

'To get around this, we incorporated a series of walnut fins beneath the rooflight. They are closely spaced when level with the flats, providing a visual barrier.'

The new extension utilises the full width of the previously redundant side return, as well as pushing out from the back of the house at full width.

When viewed from the garden, the extension creates a picture frame effect around the sliding glass doors, encasing them within a recessed structure that’s clad in slate.

The recess provides shading to the back of the house, which is south-facing, and prevents the kitchen from getting too hot during summer.

'Since moving back in,' explains Simon, 'the couple have welcomed a new baby to the family. They’re enjoying the extra room – the living space on the ground floor now functions as a play area next to the kitchen-diner and their son is fascinated by the walnut fins.’

One of the couple's kitchen island ideas was the match the quartz worktop on the island with the countertop on the main run of units to the left. Handleless walnut cupboard fronts were chosen to complement the walnut rafters that support the glass roof in the side return.

Keen to create a sleek, contemporary aesthetic in the kitchen-diner, the owners chose porcelain tiles for the floor. These feel warm underfoot thanks to the water-based underfloor heating laid beneath.

In addition to serving as structural rafters, the fins provide a visual barrier from the four-story block of flats next door. Where the fins are level with the flats, they are spaced closer together to prevent overlooking. Where the fins are nearer to the garden, they are spaced more widely to maximise the amount of light coming in.

A smooth honed slate, mined in Wales, clads the outer edge of the ‘picture frame’ extension. The surrounds that encircle the sliding doors have a rougher riven texture, providing an interesting mix of textures. 

Aluminium frame sliding doors were chosen thanks to their slim sightlines, which maximise views of the garden and the amount of natural light streaming in. Measuring 2.9m in height, the doors were manufactured to bespoke dimensions to fit the extension perfectly.

Focus on: Timber rafters

Simon Graham, director at Yard Architects gives us the lowdown

• SHOP AROUND Different materials are available to suit different budgets. Here, we wanted to use solid walnut but it was prohibitively expensive, so we chose veneered timber to get the same aesthetic.
• SPACE IT OUT The spacing of the rafters is important – when they’re closer together they can help create privacy or provide shading from the sun overhead.
• HIDE & SEEK Hidden structural connectors provide the sleek, minimal aesthetic you see here. Steel connecting bolts can be used as an alternative to concealed fixings, but you wouldn’t get the same slick aesthetic.
• PICK THE RIGHT GLASS Different types of glass roof can be installed above. Here, we used structural glass with a 5° fall to keep the rainwater off, with the glass sitting straight on top of the timber. Other patent glazing systems with aluminium bars are available, but won’t achieve the same minimal look.
• TREAT IT WELL Some types of wood, including walnut, lighten over time due to UV exposure. Using a UV oil on the timber will protect it and gives you more control over its appearance.

The property before works began

With a bathroom and utility room at the rear of the property and a kitchen on the first floor, the layout was messy and confusing. Furthermore, the lack of access to natural light from the small door and window at the rear left the ground floor dark and gloomy.

After years of living in a city flat, this couple were excited to move into a house with a garden. One of the homeowners has a background in horticulture, and the new-build in Bristol had a bare plot that was ripe for transformation. 

She had spent 13 years teaching gardening skills to adults with learning difficulties. As a teenager, she was a volunteer at a permaculture centre, and has worked on a herb farm for 18 months. ‘Gardening has been a big part of my life for the past 20 years, but this is the first proper outdoor space of my own,’ she says. 

Before

Starting from scratch, and working to a tight budget, her plan was to use her skills learned through years of studying permaculture. She chose plants grown from seed, and sourced reclaimed building materials and second-hand furniture to create their dream garden. She focused on flowers that attract insects for pollination, as well as vegetables and herbs.

‘Everything starts life on my kitchen window sill and then gets moved into the garden in either pots or into the raised bed. Last year, I harvested beetroots, tomatoes, courgettes and potatoes. And I used natural fertilisers, such as locally sourced mushroom compost and horse manure.'

After

When deciding on the layout, she divided the garden into sections, such as the patio, a dining spot, the area for growing herbs and the lawned space. Unfortunately, when they moved in, there was a large shed positioned in the sunniest part of the garden.

She moved it into the north corner and added a planter of sweet peas, creating a natural screen and providing privacy when the couple are sitting on their decking area. She then laid edging for the lawn using second-hand fence posts that she sourced for £30. 

It took 12 months to find all the reclaimed materials that she needed for their garden. ‘This, however, was a blessing, because it gave me time to plan the space properly. Over the course of a year, my design changed three times as I made adjustments to reflect how we wanted to live in and use the garden.'

When it came to paving, originally, there were just six small concrete slabs plonked outside the back door. She found sandstone paving on Facebook Marketplace for £50. ‘I watched YouTube how-to videos, then I borrowed a cement mixer from a friend and set to work.'

She dug up the clay soil, sieved out rocks and stones, levelled the ground and put down gravel to create a solid base for the new stones.

‘It was backbreaking work but extremely satisfying, and it saved us thousands of pounds, too. Our patio now extends across the back of our house and is the perfect spot to catch the morning sun.’

For the decking area, she built a frame from salvaged wooden off-cuts and topped with decking boards. ‘It’s the most secluded place – perfect for reading or relaxing in.'

With a small budget to work with, she became an expert at tracking down second-hand materials online. Lots of the items, including plants, came from Facebook Marketplace. ‘I would set up alerts online and would check every day to find the bargains.'

Some of the outdoor furniture was also gifted from family and friends, and was revived with a lick of paint. She also painted the fencing, shed and raised planters in shades that complement the planting. 

Ensuring the garden was wildlife-friendly was also important, so ceramic plant pots with plants and vegetables, and a feeder was added to attract birds. She also created her own water feature.

‘It makes me feel incredibly proud that I’ve managed to implement so many permaculture principles into my own garden. It’s not perfect by any means, but the sense of achievement and purpose I feel now it’s done is amazing.'

Within a year, and after a lot of hard work, the square of bare soil has been transformed into a blooming, insect-friendly oasis, and the ideal hideaway from the hustle and bustle of life.

It's nearly always the case that once you buy a property, you then set out to improve it and make it your dream home. But this can prove time consuming and expensive when the property in question is listed and planning permission has to be granted.

Bought in late 2019, this four bedroom Georgian bungalow had oodles of potential, despite the fact that the rear of the house was damp with a complicated arrangement of rooms, and it had a decaying, 1980s conservatory that obscured views of the garden. Aside from the property itself, it was located in a very desirable location near Portobello beach in Edinburgh.

Here, the architect who worked on the home's transformation, Kieran Gaffney from Konishi Gaffney Architects explains how the project came to life.

‘I viewed the house with the new owners before they bought it,’ recalls architect Kieran. ‘It was listed and they were worried that they couldn’t do too much to it. But I advised that there was an opportunity to improve and extend the house within the planning parameters and their budget.

'We took a clean, modern design approach to the new plans,' continues Kieran, 'and the final design was viewed sympathetically by planners as an improvement to the existing property.'

'There was a long, narrow corridor and large bathroom separating the front part of the house from the back garden, so we took 2ft off the width of the bathroom in order to widen the hall and offer views of the garden on entering the house.'

'The new timber frame and larch clad kitchen extension ideas to the rear are set within retained stone walls and houses a simple, tall and open-plan kitchen and dining space. A sofa area faces the 2.8m tall black stained timber glazed doors with direct access to the garden.' 

'A new hipped roof - which echoes the form of the front roof - is clad in black zinc. Internally, the existing concrete floor was replaced with an insulated slab, then a decorative microcement finish was carried through the hall to the bathroom walls and floor.'

'It’s an understated, modest cottage from the front, but opens up into this surprising and bright space once inside. The back of the house is now a really welcoming place to spend time in as a family and socialise with friends.’

The transformation in detail

The brief was for lots of light and glass at the back of the house.  The existing rear extensions had mostly fallen in already, but as the new owners were keen to respect the original house as far as possible, the stone walls were retained as original fabric. The new timber kit extension was ‘set within’ these walls and ‘sliding out’ towards the garden. 

The existing stone walls were insulated and repointed.  The new building houses a simple, open and tall space with kitchen and dining functions; a sofa; 2.8m tall doors; views and direct access to the garden.  

The existing roof was removed and roof insulation added.  An additional 5m2 was created in the attic space by removing poor circulation and creating a large open-plan bedroom space with a bathroom. The two dormers with chimney between were removed and a new single bigger dormer was created to maximise the garden views. 

The kitchen diner

The bespoke kitchen was designed by local craftsman Simon Muir from Muir Studio, who had worked with the couple on their previous flat. The owners had originally thought about a matt black kitchen but the designer came up with the grey-green colour finish with accents of black and the couple felt this had a timeless look. The worksurfaces are Corian, chosen for its practical, low maintenance qualities.  

The kitchen dining area can be viewed from the front door entrance and hallway. This was achieved by taking some width off the original bathroom in order to widen the hall and offer views of the garden on entering the house.  

This also allows the light from the new extension to filter right through the ground floor, where previously a muddle of rooms and utility areas had blocked light coming in from the rear of the building. There is now a seamless flow throughout the ground floor.

The dining table and benches are made from scaffolding board by a supplier who mainly works for bars and restaurants. The couple chose it for its rough look which contrasts with the smooth, pristine finishes of the bespoke kitchen and micro cement floor and wall finishes.  The pitch of the hipped roof is expressed internally in the double height vaulted ceiling. 

The sofa in the extension was bought especially for that space, and was chosen because it's long and low and offers a place to put your feet up and enjoy uninterrupted views over the garden. 

The extension floor is flush with the garden, and the area can be opened up via the black stained timber sliding doors in summer to create indoor / outdoor dining and social spaces.

The kitchen and dining area is the family’s main living space so they didn’t want it feeling too ‘kitchen-y’. The kitchen designer came up with kitchen storage ideas such as the island with shelves on one side and drawers on the other, like a sideboard. The shelves are used to display personal items that lift the space and add colour and personality.

One of the owners is Australian and enjoys the outdoors, so getting as much light as possible into the house was important.  Originally bifold doors were considered but the architect encouraged the family to invest in large scale bespoke doors to create greater height and a more seamless connection to the garden.  

The garden was mature but overgrown when the couple bought the house. The new owners took on the landscaping themselves with the help from garden designer Nick Burton who assisted with the type of planting that would work. 

The corner glazing

The owners have chosen vintage furniture pieces such as the midcentury sideboard to contrast with the modern kitchen.  The idea of the lighting rig in the ceiling was driven by architect Kieran and it has worked out ‘brilliantly’ according to the couple. 

There is underfloor heating in the new south facing extension and huge thermal gains from the glazing as the sun heats the floor throughout the day.

The bathroom

The new bathroom is narrower than the original bathroom and a new window was installed to bring in more light.  The bathroom floor and walls are finished in microcement to create a smooth and waterproof wet room. 

The couple were keen to source a concrete basin. They ordered samples settled on a pink coloured basin as they felt this was the best fit and a colourful contrast to the neutral cement surfaces.  

Focus on: Microcement

Kieran Gaffney from Konishi Gaffney Architects shares his top tips

• SUPER SMOOTH SURFACE Microcement is a cement and quartz mix. The ultra smooth finish is ideal atop underfloor heating - the surface generates heat well and the lovely smooth surface is perfect for walking with bare feet or socks.
• A LOW MAINTENANCE CHOICE Microcement floors are low maintenance. They are easily swept and mopped, and particularly suited to pets where hairs and dirt from mucky paws can be brushed up easily. The surface is also resistant to scratching.
• NOT JUST FOR FLOORS It can be used for other surfaces such as walls (as it is in the family bathroom) as it's such a smooth tactile finish.
• IDEAL FOR BATHROOMS It’s a perfect surface wet areas as it's waterproof, fast drying, and it won’t shrink or crack. It’s also easy to wipe and clean and mildew resistant.
• COST EFFECTIVE It’s cheaper than tiles, and can also be applied directly over existing surfaces. 

The property before works began

The back of the house was not fit for purpose when the couple bought the property. Former renovations to the house involved a long, narrow corridor with multiple doors and two changes in level, separating the front, formal part of the house from the large south facing and beautiful garden.  

The later addition of the 1890's conservatory effectively cut off the house's connection to the garden, and was also damp and decaying. It was excessively hot in summer and freezing and unusable in winter. 

Additional contributions by Caroline Ednie

When you buy a property, you inherit the layout that may have worked for the previous owners. But that might not necessarily be suitable for you and your family.

Quite often, especially with an older property, historical additions will have been built over the years - things like a dated conservatory or a variety of kitchen extension ideas - and together, they never really work to make the space feel bright, open or insulated. 

If faced with this, the best thing to do - budget and planning permissions permitting - is to get rid of the old and rebuild something completely new. Robert Houmøller, director at Merrett Houmøller Architects, worked on a similar project recently. 

Located in Ealing, west London, the three bedroom, 1920s end-of-terrace property had been extended multiple times, resulting in a complex floorplan with a small kitchen. The new homeowners - a couple with two small children - were keen to open the cramped spaces up to create a larger open plan kitchen, perfect for family life.

Though the existing kitchen was larger than a galley kitchen, it was still too small to have an island for the family to sit round together. Plus, the convoluted ground floor layout meant the middle reception room, which previously functioned as the dining room, was disconnected from the kitchen.

We asked Robert to talk us through the transformation, from a house with a confusing ground floor layout to a family home with a new full-width rear extension.

'The clients found the house’s small kitchen to be very impractical, especially with two young children,' explains Robert. 'Instead, they wanted a spacious kitchen-dining-living area to function as a family hub, where everyone could have their own space, yet still be connected to each other.'

'Our solution was to remove the property’s previous extensions and replace them with a full-width rear addition, which pushes out six metres from the back of the original house.'

'Because the new extension is quite a large structure, the plan became incredibly deep, so to avoid ending up with a dark, stagnant space in the middle of the house, we incorporated an internal courtyard to bring in plenty of natural light and fresh air.'

The kitchen diner

The extension was laid out on a grid, so that the three pitched structures forming the roof mirror the lines of the large format porcelain tiles on the floor exactly. The porcelain tiles form a highly conductive partner for the water-based underfloor heating system that’s been laid underneath. 

The black terrazzo on the island coordinates with the terrazzo upstand and porcelain tile kitchen splashback ideas in the kitchen, continuing the theme of pattern from the exterior tiles to the interior space.

As part of their drive to establish a calm, serene space, the homeowners chose a relatively neutral colour palette formed principally from white, greys and black.

Composite windows, with aluminium on the outside and a timber finish on the inside, were chosen for the character and warmth the wood brings to the space.

Selecting neutral tones also comes with the advantage of longevity, allowing the homeowners to use smaller items of furniture to introduce colour should they wish, which won’t be expensive to update later if they want to change the theme.

Initially, white marble chippings were laid as the floor covering in the internal courtyard. However, with two young children, the couple quickly realised this solution was impractical as the chippings proved too tempting for the kids to bring into the house and use as toys. 

The couple soon switched the floor covering to a more family-friendly timber decking, with uplights integrated flush with the wood to illuminate the courtyard after dark.

The internal courtyard

Keen to keep the extension’s layout as practical and fuss-free as possible, the couple opted to position the bulk of the kitchen units, apart from the island, running in one long bank against the side wall. 

This creates a clean, streamlined kitchen with all the storage space for kitchen crockery and appliances in one convenient place. The kitchen sink has been positioned in the central island so the owners can be connected to the dining area when they’re preparing food for the family or cleaning up.

As part of the project, the existing outrigger and previous extensions were all removed to make way for a spacious new extension spanning the entire width of the plot. 

The owners wanted the exterior cladding to give the extension a unique edge, so they chose fish scale slate tiles to coordinate with the new dormer window in the loft. The curved edges of the tiles create a sense of softness, which contrasts with the crisp, contemporary feel in the rest of the extension.

Staggering the back wall of the extension and retaining an outdoor decked space in the side return has had various advantages for the family. 

For instance, it has allowed the couple to incorporate a fixed corner window to channel extra sunshine into the kitchen and dining areas at different times of day. 

Incorporating the vertical glazing at different angles has also opened up more varied viewpoints from the extension and out into the garden.

Focus on: Internal courtyards

Robert Houmøller, director at Merrett Houmøller Architects gives us the lowdown

• PLANT UP Incorporating plants and trees is a great way to bring nature into the home.
• SMALL DESIGN, BIG RETURN Even a small courtyard provides an effective way of bringing light and air into what could otherwise be a dark, dank space
• ADD EXTERIOR LIGHTING Lots of glass in a dining space can feel unfriendly, so exterior lighting can help you avoid creating a curtain of darkness in the evening
• SIZE ISN’T EVERYTHING Your courtyard doesn’t have to be habitable, which means it can be quite small. The main thing is that it’s sized in proportion to the rest of the spaces in the extension.
• CONSIDER DRAINAGE Ensure you install an adequate drainage system, as rainwater needs somewhere to go.

The property before works began

Having family and friends who are both handy at DIY and willing to pitch in can be an invaluable resource to home renovators determined to do as much as they can themselves. 

That was certainly the case for these homeowners when it came to transforming the large sloping garden of the three-bedroom detached house  in Reading that they bought in 2019.

Before

‘We levelled the top of the garden and built the big decking area,' they reveal. ‘At one point we had six or seven friends and family helping us, so it was a real community project. As a thank you, we’ve agreed to host all future garden parties!’

After

The couple bought the house as it was the perfect project for them to develop their renovating skills on, having previously lived in a new-build flat. 

‘We wanted somewhere we could put our own stamp on, and do a lot of the work ourselves without it being overwhelming – we didn’t want to do too much building work or have an extension.'

Before

The house, which was  built around 1925, ticked all their boxes. Although ‘the whole place needed gutting and renewing’, it was a challenge they felt they could handle. 

‘We had a few non-negotiables; we wanted it to have a bit of character, which it does with the bay window and original parquet on the ground floor.’

After

Although they'd never tackled a renovation of their own before, they were both inspired by their parents, who were keen doer-uppers of homes when they were growing up, and were always on the end of a phone to offer advice when the couple needed it.

Before

They moved into the house in December 2019, and made creating a habitable living space and usable bathroom their priority. 

‘We did those within the first three or four months – then lockdown happened. It was really a blessing in disguise. We both worked from home, so we had loads of spare time to spend working on the house, and we made really good progress.'

After

‘We came into the house quite optimistic that it would be done within a year or two,' they admit. 'The reality is when you are both working full time, you have to renovate every evening and every weekend.'

Before

One of the most dramatic and ambitious transformations has been in the kitchen, which has gone from a small, grim space with dated cupboards, stainless steel sink and a temporary fridge, to a generous open-plan kitchen-diner.

The couple knocked down the stud wall separating the kitchen from the dining room, and handled project management and the finishing touches themselves, calling in a local handyman to fit the units, worktops and appliances.

After

‘We’d never fitted a kitchen, and it’s quite a big investment to then get wrong. We thought we’d better call in someone who had experience of installing them, particularly in an old house when the walls and floors are all wonky.’ 

The cohesive style of the interior is all down to thorough groundwork before they started decorating, with Pinterest boards created for every room. 

'We really like wall panelling, and they became part of a signature style of warm wood and natural features mixed with subtle colours, such as stone, white or grey, and then maybe a splash of orange or black paint.'

Before

'As we’ve worked through the renovation together, the panelling and the colour palette  has become something of an identity, and it just adds a real flow to the house.'

'We never came into the house with a pot of money to be able to do it, so being able to do most of the jobs ourselves has helped hugely. It has been a massive learning experience.’

After

Some lessons have been more stressful than others, however, such as the time one of them accidentally drilled through a gas pipe. ‘We turned off the gas, opened all the doors and windows and ran out of the house,' they recall.

'Luckily it was a summer’s day, so we could sit outside while our emergency plumber and gas fitter fixed it. In an old house, the pipes aren’t necessarily where you expect them to be, as we found out in the worst possible way.’

The final stage of the project will be the hallway makeover, and they are looking forward to the day when the house is finished, and the sense of achievement they will have. 

'This isn't a forever home, as we’d like to have children and will need more space,' they admit. 'But it’ll do us well for the next 10 years or so. We want to spend some time here and enjoy what we have accomplished.’

Buying the worst house on the street can have many advantages. It can reduce competition for it if other buyers are put off by the amount of work to be done; the price might be cheaper because it is clearly a fixer upper; there’s more opportunity to put your own stamp on it than with a freshly updated property; and the transformation from worst house to the star of the street will be more impressive.

After successfully renovating their first home, an ’upside down’ townhouse in Prestwich, Manchester, this couple was happy to take on the challenge of a rundown house in the same area as their next step up the property ladder.

Before

After

‘We viewed about 10 properties in total,’ recalls the homeowner. ‘Having made a couple of offers that fell through on Victorian houses, we eventually found this 1930s semi.'

'It was the ugliest house on the street and felt damp and cold with decades of bodged DIY jobs to fix. However, it was a good size and had one of the biggest gardens in the area.’

At first, the couple hired an architect to draw up plans for a mostly open-plan ground floor with just the front sitting room separated by double doors. They later had a change of heart, however. 

‘We thought why make it one large room when we can have a broken-plan layout instead?’ says the homeowner. ‘We would’ve ended up with something similar to our last place, and we didn’t want one large space to dry our clothes, cook, eat and relax in.’

The key to making it work was relocating the kitchen from the side to the middle of the house, and converting the old galley kitchen into a utility room and cloakroom/WC. A rounded arch was squared off between the front sitting room and new kitchen, while sliding doors into the rear garden room were removed to open things up.

‘We effectively had three sitting rooms in a row, which we didn’t need,’ he says. ‘Our plumber said it was feasible with a macerator pump for the drainage and we built the new kitchen first, so we could use the old one in the meantime.’

Before

After

Unfortunately, lockdown hit in the middle of the renovation. ‘For three months, the whole downstairs was completely unusable with no running water and heating.'

'We had stripped everything back to brick and it was a nightmare getting tradespeople again. In total we went through four plumbers, five plasterers and two electricians.’

Having learnt many skills from YouTube videos when renovating their first home, the pair got hands on and tackled most of the jobs themselves, including fitting the kitchen, joinery and tiling. 

‘The only things we paid professionals for were plastering, the more difficult plumbing and installing the skylights in the conservatory/garden room.'

Décor-wise, the couple  favoured a mid-century meets Japandi style with a calm, muted colour palette. They’ve achieved this with wood floors and doors, natural tones and a plywood kitchen, although they’ve allowed themselves the odd dramatic flourish, such as the bold cloakroom wallpaper.

'As downstairs is interlinked, it was important that the rooms felt cohesive, whereas upstairs is slightly different.'

‘We sold or gave away the majority of our old furniture as it didn’t quite fit with the look we wanted to achieve. It’s mainly the vintage pieces that we’ve kept. A lot of our decisions were Instagram-led back in the day, like our old green sofa, but we don’t allow ourselves to do that anymore.’

They felt a mini-makeover of the bathroom would suffice since they intend to sell up in the next couple of years. The main issue was the awkwardly placed toilet with boxed in cistern, which encroached too far into the room and had to be clambered around to get into the P-shaped shower bath. 

A new toilet and sink with open shelving makes the space feel bigger, while spraying all the chrome details in black has given it a more contemporary look – all for around £200.

The overgrown garden, which had been a major draw in the first place, is also now unrecognisable. Around 14 trees were cut down to let more light into the house, and the pair have built a wooden summerhouse. 

At the front, black render and a new roof on the bay window have ensured the property is no longer the ugly duckling of the street. 

Looking back, the homeowners don’t regret switching their vision from open plan to broken plan. ‘The kitchen feels really sociable now, being in the middle of the house.'

‘And we tend to sit in the front sitting room in the winter and the rear garden room in summer. The only thing we might have done differently is knocking out the chimney breast in the kitchen to free up more space.’ 

Next, the couple would love to take on a bigger project – perhaps a bungalow they can extend as a longer-term home. 

‘We had planned to flip this house, but in the current climate we might stay longer. As a place we only imagined living in for a couple of years, we have fallen in love with it and are happy to call it our home.'

There are many aspects to admire in this Victorian villa, such as the easy-on-the-eye green colour palette. The eclectic design and art choices that give this home its style.

 Or the wall of arched windows in the dining room with a view of the garden beyond. It is as an elegant and airy, a far cry from the house’s previous 1980s incarnation that saw it upholstered to the max.

It is the home of a professional cook who has lived here with her family, in a bustling village in rural Cheshire, since 2019. Their previous home in Cheshire was a 1970s build with lots of glass and before that, they lived in California. 

'We got used to that feeling of clean, easy living, where everything is open,' says the owner. 'However, I grew up in a Victorian house, so there was always that pull towards an older property.'

Considering her chosen profession, having a large, practical space where the owner could work, as well as make family meals and entertain, was essential. And the renovated kitchen is the beating heart of her home. 

‘Everyone gravitates here, especially when I’m cooking. For work, I needed the kitchen to perform well and it’s where we spend most of our time.’

The intersection of food, design and lifestyle resonates in this dreamy, open-plan space. Before this, the kitchen was at the back of the house, with a living room at the front. They were two separate rooms that felt a lot smaller. 

The builders knocked the rooms through to create one large area, with a leggy kitchen island at the centre and cabinets either side. Despite the scale of the room, essentials are all within arm’s reach and there is so much natural light.

When they purchased the house, they worked with interior designer Fiona Watkins to bring it up to date. ‘There were so many decisions to make, it was overwhelming.'

‘She introduced us to Atelier Joinery who did the kitchen, and she helped with the lighting plan. Having a designer fast-tracked many things that would have been difficult. It was like having a big sister to help.'

The plumbing and wiring had to be redone so they stripped the place back to its bones, saving architectural details and introducing contemporary, comfy features with a feel of members’ club, Soho House.

As a starting point, Fiona pulled out themes that the couple liked. For instance, she picked up that green was a recurring theme and suggested colour palettes for each room. 

‘I wouldn’t have been brave enough to paint the pantry in Farrow & Ball’s Palm from The California Collection but Fiona took me out of my comfort zone.’

Though the period house has a grandeur to it, with some ornate original features, the interiors are pared back and relaxed. 

Vintage finds and affordable pieces are combined with design classics, such as the Wishbone chairs in the dining room. 

‘I’ve stroked these many a times in the Conran Shop. When we moved back to the UK from California, we couldn’t afford anything, so my dad set to work making the dining table from scaffolding planks.'

'I think it cost about £100. Saving money on the dining table, we decided to treat ourselves to the Wishbone chairs.’

Upstairs, the airy feel and botanical palette continues, with the addition of delicate wallpaper and luxe details, such as the velvet pouffe in the bedroom and a slipper chair that came from a great aunt.

‘I wanted to create a romantic, cosy feel in the guest bedroom; a hideaway for visiting friends and family to enjoy.' 

The master bedroom may be more simple but is no less beautiful, with a comfy armchair and footstool placed in the half-turret bay window; a place to curl up with a book.

Today, the house offers class and comfort in equal measure. Which for this chef, are the perfect ingredients.

First homes are often dubbed starter homes with good reason. They’re the start of getting your foot on the property ladder, and where you start developing your skills as a painter, decorator, even builder, as you make it your own.

The homeowners for this property had done the majority of the work themselves on their first renovation project – a three-bed semi. And what they learned gave them the confidence to tackle a more ambitious makeover when they moved to a bigger home after having their two children.

Putting their stamp on it

Before

‘We never intended to have another renovation project, we said absolutely no way with two young kids,’ they say. ‘But we stumbled across this house and knew we could make it something special. The rooms were good sizes and there was lots of light. Also, this area of Telford has lots of nature reserves and dog walks.’

Their plans to move were paused for several tense months during the Covid lockdowns, but they eventually completed in June 2020. ‘Then there were delays in getting anything to do any work – it was the time of the great plaster shortage.'

After

The house was relatively new, having been built in 2000, but improvements made then were already looking dated. ‘The couple that lived here before had replaced the kitchen, and we thought we’d live with it for a few years. But it was separate from the living space, and we didn’t like that with young children,’ they reveal.

‘We’d created an open-plan space in our old house and wanted that here. So we took a wall down, and that led to the extension. It means we can be together doing homework, work, having tea – all those things.’

Deciding to extend

There was a traditional conservatory at the back that they initially thought could make a useful dining area, ‘then winter hit, it was freezing, and we realised it wasn’t going to work. We needed to get rid of it and start again.’

Before

After

The conservatory’s foundations were so poor, they couldn’t be used, so they painstakingly dug them all out. Then their architect suggested making the footprint for their planned extension a bit bigger. ‘He said it wouldn’t cost that much more to go out by almost another metre, but the space we’d gain by doing that would make a big difference.’

Getting expert advice

Though they didn’t need planning permission for the work, they found employing an architect gave them the confidence to create a far more ambitious design, and helped the whole project run smoothly, ‘It was a real time saver, and it took a lot of the pressure off us knowing we could go back to him for advice.’

Before

After

The homeowners were also determined to do as much as they could themselves to keep the costs down. ‘I call my husband stingy, he says thrifty,’ she laughs. ‘We’ll both look at something and think there is no way we’re going to pay somebody x amount to do it if we know we can have a good go ourselves.'

'We had a lot of skills that we’d gained from doing our first renovation. We also have a great relationship with our builder; he is happy to let us start and then jump in when we need him.’

Before

After

Having completed so much work on the house, the couple have now revised their plans about moving on. 

‘I think we’ll be here for about 15 years. We never planned for this extension and all these renovations, but it makes it much more of a usable and modern family home. And we want to enjoy what we’ve done.’

When looking to expand an existing home, adding a loft conversion for more space or building an extension on a house are often the most popular solutions. The latter is usually the least intrusive, but a building upwards and converting the loft area will give you so much more space, especially if you have a growing family and you need more bedrooms.

This narrow Victorian two bedroomed property was too small for the family who lived in it - the couple had two children and they needed space for a guest room, too.  They contacted Daniel Rees, founder of Rees Architects to see how they could expand their existing space to accommodate their needs. 

Here, Daniel explains how the team created a considered loft extension to create a balanced family home.

Building loft conversion for more space

‘As a rear extension wouldn’t have helped in gaining extra bedrooms, a loft conversion was the best solution. We needed to use every inch of space purposefully and intentionally,’ explains Daniel of Rees Architects, ‘making the existing plan work hard with thoughtful design was essential. It was also important to create a space that felt warm and generous while being functional'. 

'The ceiling height in the loft area was only two metres high,' continues architect Daniel, 'not considering the space that would be occupied by the structural framework for the planned main dormer and rear dormer over the outrigger.'

'We wanted to solve this in a holistic way, so we lowered the ceilings on the two floors below to achieve more height in the new loft space. By doing so, we have created three floors that feel proportionally aligned rather than one that obviously lacks height.'

Main bedroom

The window seat ideas in the main bedroom have been clad in plywood and offer comfortable seating so that the owners can enjoy views out into the garden. 

As space is limited, this integrated solution also means that there’s no need to bring in more furniture, which would reduce the available floor area. The muted colour palette compliments the pared-back interior design helping to establish a calming retreat.

'We left the beams in the master bedroom and spare room exposed, ' continues Daniel, 'and we painted them the same colour as the walls to create a greater sense of space and depth.'

'Built-in wardrobes make the most out of the eaves,' continues Daniel, 'and we’ve also integrated hidden storage behind the clothes rails. Angled brass skirting helps create an optical illusion of more height and adds to the crisp and clean aesthetics. Glazing also plays an important role by bringing in natural light in each section of the new loft.’

In the bedroom, the loft conversion ideas feature exposed beams have been completely modernised and painted in the same shade as the walls so that they blend in. Matt black downlights and wall-mounted lighting have been carefully positioned to create a sense of symmetry that’s replicated throughout the loft area. 

The bed is almost level with the window seat so there are no obstructions of the garden views. Sections of the walls feature a layer of rubber and cork material - these both contrast against the black features, but also have a functional use, too. The material has acoustic insulation properties so it effectively absorbs sound.

Plywood cupboards have been fitted under the eaves and reflect the same material directly opposite it surrounding the window. Storage, while essential, has been designed to blend in as much as possible so as not to create a distraction. 

The minimalist handless design ensures the scheme maintains an uncluttered look, all in keeping with the idea of creating a space to unwind.

Hallway doors

In order to maximise the available floor space in the new loft, one of the many one clever storage solutions for the small spaces that the architects created was the  doors for the master bedroom and ensuite. 

With both doors open, you gain access to the bedroom and en suite. Close them and that section of hallway effectively becomes an additional section of bedroom, with the ensuite closed off from the rest of the floor. 

These bespoke doors feature magnets on each leaf that help keep them fully open at 90° and feature a flush finish. Here (see above) the doors are open and conceal the cork and rubber wall. 

When the right door is closed (see below), it allows for privacy in the bathroom space and on the left, it helps contain the guest bedroom. The black colourways used conforms to the minimalist style that’s been adopted throughout.

When the hallway doors are closed, a section of the corridor becomes incorporated into the master bedroom. This section of hallway also features a large rooflight with an integrated blackout blind.

The bathroom

The modern bathroom ideas feature clean and uncluttered fixtures and fittings with wall-hung sanitaryware making the space feel bigger. The walls have been covered in marmoleum that’s made from 97% natural raw materials that is CO2 neutral. 

Marmoleum is a practical low maintenance surface is both durable and offers a simple, clean finish with no breaks as you would have with wall tiles. 

The windows have been positioned to create a sense of more space than there actually is, giving an elongated appearance.

The attic bathroom ideas also feature a compact walk-in shower, there’s no glass enclosure to keep clean, but the wall helps contain the water. 

The same marmoleum material has been applied onto the floors using a different pattern that reflects the texture of the cork and rubber walls nearby. Again, sleek matte black shower fittings help finish the contemporary look.

The guest bedroom

The guest bedroom can be used as a multifunctional space with moveable furniture enabling the owners to adapt it to their needs. Here, the olive green walls and dark floors present an effective contrast, while the window guides your sightline out towards the garden.

The space feels bright despite the deep hues that have been adopted, with the light-coloured furnishings and ceiling adding to the sense of airyness.

The property before works began

The terraced property had a standard, cramped Victorian setup which didn’t meet the needs of modern family life. The owners needed more space for their growing family, as well as a guest room to host visitors. The existing layout only had two bedrooms and didn’t maximise on the existing floor plan.

Focus on: Dormer loft extensions

Daniel Rees From Rees Architects gives us the lowdown

• CONSIDER CLEARANCE A minimum head height required is between 2 and 2.2m, so if your loft is currently under 2.5m then it will be difficult to make it work once the structural space is taken into account.
• ADDING LIGHT Placing a roof window directly above the staircase in a dormer extension is a smart way to bring light into the house. If the loft room is small then it’s also an idea to leave the staircase open to the room and put the entrance door to this area on the floor below.
• STICK TO THE RULES Permitted development and most planning policies do not allow you to raise the ridge of the roof, although if your neighbours have higher roofs then it might be possible, but still unlikely.
• STRETCH IT OUT Hipped roofs (those featuring three or four slopes to the roof), rather than the usual two, may allow you to extend across the entire roof line, so long as it doesn’t go above the highest ridge line.
• TOTAL SPACE Under permitted development, you can add up to 40 cubic metres to a terraced house, including an end of terrace. This goes up to 50 metres for semi-detached and detached houses.

Ever wonder what extending into the side return might look and feel like in your home? It seems like a relatively small gain space-wise, but the result can be transformative.

This was certainly the case for this cramped Victorian home in Walthamstow, East London. The three bedroomed property - home to a couple and their two children - lacked a bright, social room for the young family and had no connection to the garden.

The couple got in touch with James Dale, director at James Dale Architects who helped them see how much space and light they could gain by just extending into the side return. Here, James explains the transformation.

Extending into the side return - a little goes a long way

‘Our main goal was to rejig the ground floor layout and create a series of bright, social areas that make best use of the property’s footprint,’ explains James. 'All without extending from the back of the house and eating up precious square footage in the garden.'

'It was important to keep as much of the garden as possible as the homeowners have two young children. The solution was to push out into the redundant side return, adding seven seven metres square of space.'

'Though that isn’t a huge amount of room, but it was enough for us to completely rearrange the ground floor layout.'

The owners are both keen cooks, so it was essential that the new, generously proportioned kitchen diner ideas were laid out in a practical, ergonomic way. 

It needed to feature plenty of space to store cooking utensils, crockery and appliances, as well as a comfortable area for the family to sit and eat.

'We pulled the kitchen towards the back of the house,' says James, 'flipping the island so it faces the garden rather than running parallel to the side of the property. This created plenty of room for a sociable dining space at the back'.

Orienting the central kitchen island to face the garden helped maximise space, as well as enhancing the sense of flow from one zone to the next. It also means that whoever is prepping food can enjoy garden views, too.

As well as adding colour and pattern to the kitchen, terrazzo provide to be one of the to most practical kitchen worktop ideas for the young family. 

Terrazzo is highly resistant to stains, scratches and chips, making it a hard-wearing, low-maintenance option for the busy family space.

From the outset of the project, the homeowners had their hearts set on deep forest green cabinets. The desire for simple, unfussy finishes prompted the installation of handleless kitchen units in a rich shade of green, contrasting with the pink-flecked terrazzo countertops. 

On the floor, white encaustic tiles are laid in the kitchen and pink terrazzo in the dining area, establishing a visual distinction between the two spaces. Water-based underfloor heating has been laid below, providing a warm feel underfoot.

Featuring a steel frame with structural glazing, the black silicone glazing bar that lines the edges of each pane provides a neat, crisp finish. The bench within the window provides a casual space for seating or a platform for the kids to play Lego.

Though they investigated a variety of options for the new window at the back of the house, including bay window ideas, the homeowners soon realised that the projecting oriel window was one of their must-have design details.

'The oriel window is a design feature that the owners wanted to incorporate from the outset of the build. As well as providing a casual seating area, the projecting window provides a surface for the kids to use as a play platform and expansive garden views.'

A gridded glass and aluminium pocket door separates the main living area from the kitchen-diner. Incorporating a glass partition – that slides back into the wall when required – allows light to penetrate through to the centre of the floorplan. 

Maximising space was one of the key goals of the project, so incorporating the sliding pocket door rather than a hinged panel that swings open into the kitchen was a smart way to make the most of every square inch.

The long strip of overhead glazing sits above the space that once accommodated the underused side return. The glass has been angled slightly, allowing water to drain off into the concealed gutter. 

The space is now drenched in sunshine thanks to the projecting oriel window, rooflight and glass casement door with an aluminium frame. The inherent strength of the metal means the amount of glass in the centre pane is maximised, inviting as much light into the house as possible.

'As part of the works, the back wall of the house was taken out so we could put some steel supports in,' explains James. 'Rather than rebuilding it in brick, we decided to clad the wall in traditional green gloss tiles as a standout design feature.'

This shade of green was chosen for the handmade glazed tiles after plenty of experimentation with other colours, including blue and yellow.

This rich hue was chosen as a nod to traditional green tiles often used to clad pubs and London Underground stations during the Victorian era. The tiles are laid slightly proud of the brickwork to allow for effective water run-off.

The property before works began

Before the build, the wasted space in the side return didn’t serve any purpose. The gloomy kitchen at the back of the house had a small window – not in keeping with the traditional style of the original property – with no view of the garden. 

The interiors hadn’t been updated for many years and, with two young children, the ground floor layout didn’t have the sociable, connected feel that owners wanted.

Focus on: glazed exterior tiles

Architect James Dale gives us his top tips and ideas

• Go bold Choosing a rich colour like green, blue or yellow helps tiles stand out from the brickwork.
• Choose your material wisely Not all glazed tiles are suitable for exterior use – an important detail to double check with your supplier
• Plan ahead Handmade tiles can come with a long lead time, so it’s best to place your order early on in the project
• They're low maintenance Glazed tiles are easily cleaned. Any dirt can easily be wiped off
• Tile with care Handmade tiles are not perfectly uniform. Though minimal, the variation in size from one unit to the next means your tiler should spend plenty of time getting individual units lined up and ready to lay.

When we learned how this six-bedroom 1930s house in Surrey had been completely transformed with a new ground floor wide width eco extension, we couldn't wait to share the story with you. 

After all, here at Ideal Home, we try wherever possible to champion green design, from eco-friendly flooring to sustainable gardening.

Home to a couple and their three teenage children, the existing property was pretty dated for modern living standards and - a fact that anyone with teenage children can attest to - it really didn’t meet the family’s needs. What's more, it was also thermally inefficient and the cramped design didn’t allow for much natural light throughout the ground floor living spaces.

The couple enlisted the help of Matthew Withers, Director of Stylus Architects to redesign their home and create an altogether more spacious set up. Here, Matthew talks us through the transformation.

'When designing this property,' explains Matthew, 'it was important that we were sympathetic to the existing building.' 

'Situated in the heart of Guildford overlooking the Surrey hills and located on a large plot of land, the homeowners wanted to extend and remodel the entire property in a way that maximised the views and made the best use of the large garden.'

'We made the ground floor the visually dominant space,' continues Matthew. 'The main part of the open plan living space is modelled as a series of solids and voids, dissolving the boundaries between inside and outside.'

'The space also benefits from a more than five metre high ceiling height at the ridge level of the vaulted ceiling.'

Externally, in order to create clean structural lines, the building has been carefully considered with an offset ridge beam allowing the rooflight to cleanly meet the apex of the roof. 

Energy generating photovoltaic (PV) panels have been mounted flush with the tile line and centred below the dormer windows, to provide a very discreet and symmetrical visual appearance.

The PV solar panels were always part of the design from the offset so instead of retrofitting them, the Matthew and his team were able to position them in the ideal spot, positioning them sensitively in terms of the final design. On one side of the house, they’re set symmetrically below the two new dormer windows.

The extension design has made sustainability a key focus, utilising renewable technology and reclamation as a key part of the design approach. 

For example, the extension’s outer frame creates solar shading to the south-facing facade, as well as minimising the amount of materials required. This frame is designed to visually float over the polished concrete floor.

The kitchen

'The main space is 10 metres in length and 10 metres in width,' says Matthew. 'Whilst large spaces can appear dramatic, it’s essential that the individual spaces within them have a livable, domestic scale.'

'We achieved this by encasing the kitchen with the bookend brick walls, 'positioning the dining area around the corner glazing and the seating area arching around a bespoke joinery TV and storage unit.'

The open plan design maximises height and volume, creating a vaulted ceiling in the main kitchen and dining area that exceeds five metres tall at its highest point.

Modern light fitting highlights this with each piece wired directly into the ceiling at different heights for a dramatic (and practical) design. The large island features a roomy breakfast table, and the contemporary Shaker kitchen ideas are packed with storage. In contrast, a traditional Aga has been integrated into the setup, too.

With there being a large amount of glazing, the architects were careful to design solar shading and solar controlled glass to reduce the impact of solar gain. 

It was also important to upgrade the insulation specification and thickness in all of the build elements in order to reduce heat loss, and in turn reduce the amount of energy required to heat and cool the building.

‘Always consider the position of rooflights carefully,' advises Matthew. 'We installed a large unit on the north-east elevation so the space receives lots of natural light, but limited direct sunlight that could cause overheating.’

The dining area

The open plan space features wide format concrete tiles laid on top of underfloor heating, designed to help maintain a comfortable internal temperature. 

The wraparound glazing and sliding doors encourage passive solar gain as well as offering access and views directly out into the garden. 

The large dining table is positioned perpendicular to the kitchen island to create a connected, yet distinctly separate space. This setup offers views out no matter your position at the dining table.

It also allows people in different areas of the room, whether in the kitchen, dining or living space, to easily maintain a conversation. They also used recycled aggregates in the concrete, as well as reclaimed bricks in some of the walls.

The living area

The informal seating area also benefits from views out towards the garden, as well as having a great connection with the other zones in the ground floor open space. 

It naturally receives a little less natural light, which helps it feel cosier. As this is the designated TV area, this deliberate snug feeling also allows the area to have its own identity in the room.

The extra living room

The reworked ground floor plan also provided the family with a separate living area. 'When the entire family doesn’t want to share the same space in the main extension there’s a separate living area on the ground floor to retreat to,' explains Matthew.

This extra living room features two wide width pivot doors open up to give the family direct access to the garden. The large pivot doors are a contemporary addition that complement both the existing property style and the adjacent newer addition. 

This side of the property has not been extended, but reworked so that the two new full height openings also give access to the garden. Externally, it features the same brick stock as expressed in the open plan space.

The level threshold is a practical new addition that helps futureproof the house for occupants that may in the future require level access.

The property before works began

The original property was very traditional and while it certainly didn't lack space, the configuration of the ground floor was cramped and dark.

Focus on: Solar photovoltaic panels

Matthew Withers from Stylus Architects gives us his top tips and ideas

• What's the difference? Standard solar panels capture the sun’s energy and convert the radiation into heat, while solar photovoltaic panels (or solar electricity panels) convert the thermal energy into electricity.
• Plan carefully - Think about your overall sustainable strategy from the initial concept of the design stage. This will mean that your design not only works in the most efficient way, but that sustainable elements will also be considered from an aesthetic point of view.
• Assess your needs - Understand how many Kilowatts of energy you'll need to run the system effectively early on in the design process.
• Instant energy - Solar panels create power that needs to be used instantly. Power generated during the day can however be stored in a battery for use in the evening when the system is not generating free energy.
• Storage options - If battery storage proves too expensive, you can add a system (such as an eddie) that will divert power to where it is needed when it is produced, such as car charging or heating water.
• Keep it sustainable - Utilise air conditioning that is solely powered by photovoltaics for a sustainable home. This works especially in the heat of the summer, when the photovoltaics are producing maximum energy.

When renovating a property, sometimes the best solution is one of demolishing the old and rebuilding something new on the same spot. 

Many of Britain's existing extension ideas, or indeed entire properties, have been built without a great deal of care. From tired extensions with blocky, ugly frames to old-fashioned conservatories from the 70s and 80s, these dated designs tend not to age well, especially if poor design and cheap materials have been used. 

In this five bedroom, 1960s property located in Buckinghamshire, an existing conservatory was left mostly unused throughout the year.  The homeowners and their three children tended to avoid it due to it either being too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter.

They enlisted the help of Alex Rider, director and co-founder of Rider Stirland Architects to help them find an alternative for the space - one that their entire family could make the most of. Here, Alex talks us though the transformation.

Rebuilding an extension - how a design rethink has transformed this home

‘In order to make way for the new extension,’ explains Alex from Rider Stirland Architects, ‘we demolished the original rear conservatory. We also removed one of the existing two garages and transformed it into a utility space that now connects directly to the main building.'

'The new extension is a 10-metre long addition - this was sited perpendicular to the existing property - this way, it doesn’t actually take up much more space than the old conservatory did.’

‘The new layout places the kitchen between the original house and the new extension,' explains Alex, 'acting like a bridge between the old and new.'

'Following the natural slope of the site,' he continues, 'we were able to make the most of the double-height space and create a library mezzanine and install a best woodburning stove, too.'

The new extension features a living room on the lower ground floor, a kitchen on the ground floor - in line with the rest of the property - and a mezzanine overlooking both, with the entire space benefitting from natural light from the wide variety of windows.

'The new configuration also means that you can access the garden from every one of the ground floor spaces,' explains Alex.

The living space

From the elevated mezzanine area, the owners can appreciate internal views of the extension and kitchen-dining area, as well as the garden outside. The height of the space allows you to see further beyond the garden out into the surrounding outstanding area of natural beauty.

The redesigned space taking up only 26 square metres, transforming the flow and access throughout the entire ground floor area. The change in floor levels has been exploited internally with the high ceilings helping to create a sense of more room.

Externally, the timber structure complements the masonry build and has been clad in charred timber that requires little to no maintenance.

Underfloor heating runs throughout the space and is supplemented by the woodburning stove, which has been placed at the rear to create a visual focal point. A single door has been placed to the rear of the extension, which is east-facing. 

The living area is set on the lower terrace, but still enjoys views out to the garden. The architects ensured there would be enough height underneath the mezzanine so that it doesn’t feel too low, they also used a thin mezzanine floor structure.

The kitchen

A wide new set of stairs have been introduced between the new extension and the dining and kitchen area. The flight has been strategically positioned to ensure that occupants in either space have the possibility to see and feel connected to one another. 

Walking up into the kitchen from the living space on the lower ground floor, there is also a sense of connection created to the rest of the house, via a set of fixed glazing above that offers views towards the upper floors of the main building.

The neutral worktop pairs well with the choice of pink cabinetry and white walls, while the quartz worktop stretches onto the splashback, too. 

Smart details such as the built-in island drawers and breakfast corner cabinet with bi-fold doors help make using and being in the kitchen effortless. 

The floating shelves offer a space to display herbs and plants, adding colour and interest to the uncluttered scheme.

The new spacious kitchen is by Herringbone Kitchens and features open shelving units and a complementary mix of contemporary shaker cabinets in a muted pink hue. 

The open-plan design features an oversized chef's table island unit and a larder, plus full height units. This floor-to-ceiling cabinetry ensures every inch of the room is maximised without it looking too busy. The room provides the perfect space for casual meals.

The kitchen-diner is a large, yet comfortable room that allows for intuitive movement around the space. A large dining table offers further seating for everyday meals and the space is illuminated by a grand rooflight idea. 

Stairs lead up to the mezzanine area, creating a well-thought out flow between the new extension with the new communal areas and the existing property. The large format tiles also contribute to the sense of spaciousness and brightness.

The mezzanine

The open balustrade design allows light to filter through the space, the black colour has been chosen so that it ties in with the colour palette of black accents you can find internally, as well as externally. 

The placement of the mezzanine helps celebrate the different vantage points and encourages a continual connection with the outdoors. The openings also help break up the large space while providing a route for natural light to flood in.

The mezzanine space offers a breakout area separate from the living area. This dedicated space gives the family an opportunity to display their collection of books and create a home library.

'Externally, the owners’ request for a low maintenance facade,' explains Alex, 'meant we went for a tactile, yet natural charred timber cladding. All the windows and doors to the house have been replaced with black framed units to complement the new scheme.'

'The entire timber frame extension is highly insulated and features composite glazing, as well as a clay tiled roof with black zinc detailing.’

Right from the main entryway you get glimpses through to different spaces, which benefit from plenty of natural light. A new boot room, also gained by the reconfiguration of the internal space, helps keep the circulation areas free of objects and offers storage for coats and footwear. 

The black detailing of the bannisters and window frames give you a preview of what’s to come in the extension and neutral engineered timber floorboards and while walls combine to establish a fresh ambience.

So while the family had years of living in a home they weren't quite happy with, this eventually led them to really focus in on exactly what it was that they wanted in order for it to work.

‘It pays to live in a property before you start any major works,' says Alex, 'so that you can understand the particular characteristics of the property and perhaps exploit them in ways you hadn’t initially thought possible.’

The property before works began 

The existing home was sizable, however, the spaces didn’t communicate well and there was a natural change in levels that made the existing conservatory feel detached from the rest of the property.

The old conservatory was also poorly insulated, which made it largely inhabitable during the cooler months of the year. Externally, the property looked dated and required an overhaul to help make it more thermally efficient and aesthetically pleasing.

Focus on... Mezzanines

Alex Rider, director of Rider Stirland Architects shares his top tips and ideas

• MAX YOUR SPACE Zone a large area and create a distinctly separate space. Even a small mezzanine can help maximise the space you already have giving you a room within a room.
• USE THE HEIGHT Ensure you have enough head height within the mezzanine area itself and space for the stairs to access it.
• LIGHT IT WELL Consider how you will light the area, will you need more natural light and new window openings or will artificial illumination suffice?
• FOCUS ON USE Design with the purpose of the space in mind, a library will have different requirements to a bedroom or lounge area.
• CONSIDER THE FEATURES Make a feature of the balustrade, there are a variety of options available from metals and masonry to timber.

Out with the old - demolishing an old conservatory was the first step to this home's success

Demolishing an old conservatory isn't something one takes on lightly. For one, you're lucky enough to have the extra space and since most of it is glass, you hardly lack natural light. 

But old buildings can sometimes be limiting, and those built decades ago many not use the space as effectively like most modern conservatory ideas do today. Plus the trend for open plan, while waning somewhat since the pandemic, still proves the most popular option with young families. 

This was the dilemma facing the owners of this five-bedroom, three-storey 1930s property in South London. While the owners had two young daughters and a dog, they certainly didn't lack space in such a large house. 

However, the ground floor consisted of a succession of poorly connected spaces internally and access to the garden was awkward and limited. They longed for an open plan space and a dedicated playroom for the children.

They eventually enlisted the help of James Lai and his team at JL Architecture to help transform the ground floor of their home to make it a more family friendly space. Here, James talks us through the project.

‘We began by demolishing the existing conservatory,’ explains James from JL Architecture, ‘and we replaced it with a new ground floor rear extension. It spans the full width of the property and opens out onto a new patio area. This created a clear connection with the garden area that features plenty of outdoor seating.’

Externally, after demolishing an old conservatory and rebuilding the new extension, the facade is sympathetic to the existing building, which makes it look as if it has always been there. The new rear facade features a brick pattern that mimics the front of the house, to give continuity between both sections.

‘The new extension also allowed us to reconfigure the ground floor plan', continues James. 'We removed the dividing wall between the former rear reception room and the kitchen to create a generously sized family/dining and kitchen space.’

The open plan kitchen

The new open plan space feature central kitchen island idea that divides the open plan room and also provides additional dining space. There is plenty of space for food preparation on the large work surface and it also features a built-in wine fridge and cupboards. 

From the island, you have 360° views of the entire open-plan area, this is an ideal setup so that whoever is cooking or tidying away can still be included in conversations taking place in any part of the open-plan room.

The design offers a clear passage to the key areas with the space and encourages unobstructed movement. There is both amble work and kitchen storage ideas so the kitchen remains tidy.

The choice of cabinets with glass fronts helps break up the row of solid blue units and the suspended glass pendants bounce light around the room. It's now easy to manoeuvre around the spaces, including the utility room located just off the kitchen.

Natural light illuminates the kitchen area on sunny days pouring in through the rear window and roof lantern and bouncing off the neutral floor covering and glazed cupboards. A mixture of knob and cup handles have been allowed access to the units and pair well with the classic scheme. 

The multi-functional island provides an area for food preparation, storage and a simple area to hang out. High level island seating can be tucked away under the overhang, or used for casual meals such as quick lunches. 

There is space for four people to sit comfortably around this area without feeling squashed. An American-style fridge sits in a niche and provides ample storage for fresh produce. The position of the stainless steel unit also helps distribute natural brightness around the space.

James explains: 'The oak engineered floor has a hardwood surface and was chosen especially to be laid atop the underfloor heating that runs throughout the kitchen.’

The same modern kitchen flooring ideas run throughout the living-kitchen-diner, making it look even more spacious. The room, however, is clearly zoned using furniture to clearly delineate the spaces.

The largely glazed rear elevation feature bifold doors which can be opened up fully to the garden. This helps create a good connection between the spaces and allows for conversation to flow between people in either space. The owners can also prepare meals or relax in the living area while the children play outside.

Contemporary finishes such as the lighting fixtures, minimal style, built-in media unit that blends into the wall, and modern glazing systems ensure that it feels current. The space has been set up so that you can sit at the dining table or the living area and enjoy views out into the garden.

The dining area

This space has been created by the removal of a diving wall into the living room area. The new formal dining room ideas features a striking contemporary glass chandelier, which dominates the area while adding supplementary lighting. 

A large abstract piece hangs on the wall helping to focus attention on the space. The furnishing, which comprises a farmhouse-style table and wishbone mid-century style dining chairs help continue the classic theme.

The utility room

'There was an existing side extension that housed the utility space,' says James, 'which was cold and poorly insulated with a plastic corrugated roof. This has been rebuilt and serves the same purpose with a practical new utility space accessed from the side of the kitchen, rather than the middle of where the kitchen wall cabinets run.’

These small utility room ideas offer a practical and warm space for laundry and to keep cleaning products. The room is located in the new side extension, rebuilt to provide a usable, functional space. 

The utility units are the same shaker style as those in the kitchen area and conceal the built-in appliances. Fun artworks line the neutral walls helping to give the space a personality of its own. The tiled patterned floors also help to establish an entirely separate space whilst referencing the period of the property.

The playroom

‘The existing garage has now been converted into the children’s playroom,' explains James, 'and it can be accessed via the kitchen and the main hallway.'

The former garage is now a haven for the children and features carpeting making it a distinctly separate space from the rest of the downstairs area. Among the clever children's play room ideas featured are built-in floor to ceiling cupboard houses toys that can be tidied away at a moment's notice. 

Being in a direct line of sight from the kitchen means that the adults can prepare meals while the children play. In the future it can be used as a den or separate television room or even a home office.

The property before works began 

Two uncomfortable additions to the period property and a convoluted ground floor layout meant that the family weren't able to make the most out of the existing spaces. 

The house was thermally inefficient, which had an impact on bills as well as the internal comfort levels. They wanted to create a better connection between the internal spaces and the garden, too.

Focus on...Gable windows

James Lai at JL Architecture shares his top tips and ideas

• FOCAL POINT These glazed fittings add wow-factor and can be made in many different styles to suit all types of building design, so don’t feel limited by your design.
• FOLLOW THE LINE A typical gable window will usually follow the roofline, which allows them to let copious amounts of light to filter into the space.
• ADDING LIGHT While they are very often installed in loft areas, they can be a great choice for new pitched roof extensions as they can light penetrate deeper into the plan.
• DOUBLE UP It is possible to install a set, yet save on costs by designing in a mix of traditional off-the-shelf windows.
• FIXED DESIGN They are often installed as fixed fittings, which are not openable so consider how you will ventilate your space if you choose to add them.

Victorian terraced properties are hardly known for being light and bright on the inside. The rooms tend to be small, lacking natural light and unconducive to modern family life. They're ripe for renovation, from small kitchen extension ideas to large rear property revamps.

This run-down mid-terrace house in East London was no different. The homeowners bought the property as part of a probate sale so it was in a very poor state of repair and was in dire need of refurbishment. 

They enlisted the help of architect James Daykin of Daykin Marshall Studio to transform the property into one that would work for a young professional couple.

‘This property was like a time capsule. The previous tenant had been in it practically all her life and she was in her 90’s when she sadly passed away. It hadn’t been touched since she moved in, so it was a blank canvas in that respect,’ explains James. 

‘The survey identified that the only part of the house that was in good repair was the outside bathroom!’ adds James.

The existing house was stripped back to the brick and required a deep retrofit to give the couple the energy efficient and modern home that they were looking for.

'A lot of natural light, and clean minimalist spaces was important to the owners,' explains James, 'so our brief was to put the house back together, improve insulation and services, and create more space and connection to the garden at the back of the house.'

‘The original outrigger at the rear could not be saved, as there were significant cracks from subsidence,' explains James. 'This had to be demolished and a new garden and side extension were built, creating an open plan layout for a kitchen and dining space with a garden-facing snug.

'The extension walls are built in brick to reflect the original house and complement the surrounding buildings, continues James. 'Overhead glazing and simple, large format, triple glazed windows maximise the space and light.’

On the upper level, the remodelled third bedroom, overlooking the garden, is now a modern home office when the couple work from home. The garden path was made with the same brick used to build the new extensions, creating a seamless effect.

The homeowners are now delighted with their home's transformation into a light and bright space. 'The house has been important in creating a post-pandemic working environment for the couple,' explains James, 'as they now work in the new third bedroom upstairs overlooking the garden and in the open plan dining area, while in summer they work outside in their garden.’

The new cavity walls of the extension are blockwork with a brick outer layer that compliments the original house and blends in with the neighbouring properties. 

The terracotta colour of the external window frames was the homeowner's idea and was chosen to contrast with the darker toned brick. The same colour has been used on the frames internally to tie in with the colour palette of the interiors. 

A new UK-made brick was used for the garden extension. Architect James was keen to create something bolder, that would give the extension a character and texture, so they came up with the idea of a horizontal ribbing effect by stepping the brick in and out by 25mm on alternate courses to get a corduroy-like pattern.

Clever use of stepped levels means the low wall permitted on the boundary with the neighbour doesn’t limit space or effective height inside.  

The kitchen has been dropped down by a step to meet the planning regulations and planning permission regarding height in terms of the new side extension. 

This was achieved by digging down into the kitchen floor. The step between the old house and new kitchen dining area has worked well for the couple. It creates the feeling of leaving one space in the traditional house and stepping into the new contemporary space with its contrasting character.

The kitchen company and the architects worked closely together to create a design that was integrated into the couple’s vision.  The bold forest green kitchen ideas were chosen by the homeowners to contrast with the pale colours in the rest of the space.

Contemporary finishes include a polished concrete screed floor throughout the ground floor, atop the underfloor heating. This creates a seamlessness between the traditional house and new kitchen/dining/sitting area.

Simple, large format, triple glazed windows – with a bright, terracotta frame colour – bring lots of light into the space and are more cost effective than the typical giant sliding or bi-fold doors typically installed in extensions. 

Large format windows were chosen over sliding doors to both extensions. ‘In British weather you sometimes like to feel self-contained and you don’t necessarily need glass that goes down to the ground to have a view out,’ explains James.  

‘With the rear extension we brought the glazing up to create a window seat, so that you can sit right up to the edge, making the most of the space.  If you’ve got bi-fold doors or sliding doors you can’t put furniture in front of them, so you can’t go up to the edges of the room,' adds James.

Art Deco-style metallic back painted fluted glass detailing adds a subtle decorative touch as the sink splashback and side panel to the island.  This main island, which the couple sometimes use as a workspace, features a composite worktop. 

The bespoke cabinetry was built by the main contractor in limed oak to create the clean, minimalist finish that the couple sought in their original brief.

The property before works began

When the couple bought the house, it hadn’t been touched since the 1960s, and there was no connection to the garden, making the rear spaces dark and cramped.

Focus on: Rooflight boxes

Architect James Daykin shares his wisdom on how to speed the application process up

• SEEK ADVICE It should be simpler and more straightforward, but the planning process can be complex and unclear, even for private homes. So if you don’t have experience, take advice from an architect or planning consultant.
• LOCAL RESEARCH Check local records of recent comparable applications to see what has been allowed or refused helps you understand what could be possible, or where you might need to make a careful argument. If you’re planning something significant, always consider pre-application advice from the council and you may want to seek the support of your ward councillor.
• PROTECTED PROPERTY OR AREA Do you live in a conservation area or is your building (or one nearby) listed? These classifications make a big difference to what you are likely to get permission for.
• PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT Also known as PD, it sets out what changes and additions you can make to your home without full planning permission. Limits are set by dimensions (heights, areas, volumes), so check your designs carefully. Protected properties or areas typically have more limited or no permitted development rights.
• SPLIT APPLICATION Sometimes parts of your project may be better split into different applications. For example, on this project the loft (not yet built) and rear extension were allowed under permitted development and the side return was passed through a planning application.
  

With contributions from Caroline Ednie

A two-storey extension is by no means and easy task to complete. But the space gained, even in a relatively modest property like a Victorian terraced house, can be transformative. 

This (now) four bedroomed, three-storey classic Victorian terrace in Chiswick was packed with issues, making it difficult for the family of four to make the most of the space. The layout was poorly organised with the ground floor bathroom blocking the small kitchen from garden access and views.

The homeowners hired William Tozer Associates to redesign the rear of the property, opening the space out and making it more family-friendly.
‘Rather than a traditional Victorian layout with boxy rooms,’ explains Tom Shelswell, senior associate at William Tozer, ‘we wanted a bright, kitchen-living-dining space with lots of natural light and garden views. To achieve this, we took out the back of the house at ground floor level, plus the closet wing on the first floor.'

In order to give the space more light than before, the architects came up with an innovative design for the white kitchen ideas. 'During construction, we always enjoy the phase of work when the back of the building is open-ended, and we wanted to recreate the same feel in the extension.'

'So,' continues Tom, 'we incorporated full height openings at the back of the house and used frameless glass or minimal framing to maximise the amount of sunshine coming in.'

The light, bright sense of height didn't end there. 'The internal doorways are full height, too,' says Tom. 'This means there’s no head above the doorway – just a flush ceiling that runs seamlessly from the original house to the extension.'

They did have to make allowances for planning permissions though and the original plans had to be amended. Tom explains, 'Planning constraints meant we lowered the height of the side return wall to 2 metres on the boundary, giving rise to the minimal design of the rooflight box in the kitchen.’

When it came to modern kitchen ideas, the homeowners chose white Corian countertops paired with smooth handleless cupboard fronts to establish a sleek, contemporary look. Grey resin flooring is laid throughout the extension, creating a seamless, open feel in the kitchen-living-dining space.

The solid oak island and bench seating was designed by the architects and manufactured by the contractor on site. The texture of the wood contrasts with the smooth white surfaces used in the rest of the kitchen.

As well as adding warmth and character, the rich timber features provide a visual link with the pine floors in the original house. The bench seating doubles up as storage, too.

It wasn’t possible to remove this structural wall in the extension, so it was transformed into a design feature instead. On the living room side, a shallow recess provides a neat slot for the television. On the kitchen side, there’s a shallow cupboard within which the family stores their glassware.

The house wasn’t gutted throughout, as the homeowners didn’t want to eliminate the property’s traditional character completely. Instead of stripping out the original pine floorboards, they were sanded back and treated with white oil to give them a new lease of life. Hallway runner ideas have been laid over the top to establish a homely feel.

Now, the two-storey extension design features four stacked boxes - two white and connected to the ground floor, with a further two slate-clad boxes on the second floor.

Upstairs, they've added a new bedroom and bathroom, and all the windows have been replaced with wider openings, filling the property with natural light.

The owners wanted a modern extension with crisp detailing to contrast with the original property. The cement-based render is painted white, so the extension stands apart from the original house without appearing disparate. The rainwater goods are concealed within the structure, enhancing the property's sleek aesthetic.

Downstairs, the garden is now easily accessed via the open plan kitchen living area via either powder-coated aluminium sliding doors and a single hinged door. Both feature minimal frames, providing the sought-after connection with the garden.

The property before works began

The closet wing at the back of the house was typical of many Victorian homes. It featured a small kitchen that was completely blocked from the garden by a ground floor bathroom at the rear. The interiors hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, so needed modernisation.

Focus on: Rooflight boxes

Tom Shelswell, senior associate at William Tozer Associates shares his top tips and idea

• A suspended glass structure enhances the bright, open feel and provides better views of the sky.
• Overhead glazing introduces more sunshine than windows installed in a vertical wall.
• Concealed framework requires lots of technical detailing, so a good working relationship between your architect, contractor and glazier is essential.
• If the glazing is fixed, you’ll need an openable window elsewhere to create a fresh flow of air.
• A low emissivity coating on the inner face of the outer pane controls the amount of UV light that’s able to enter your home…
• An argon filling between the two sheets of glass improves the level of insulation.

Building a standard terraced extension wouldn't have done this property justice as the previous additions to this five-bedroom Edwardian property in southwest London had proved. 

The owners - a couple with their two young children - longed for a bigger kitchen that befitted their large property, as the existing one was cramped, disconnected from the rest of the house. As kitchen extension ideas go, all they wanted is what every young family does - a roomier space to cook, dine, entertain, as well as a clear path to their outdoor space.

The original kitchen lacked direct access to the rear garden, a must for the kids. In order to get outdoors, you had to either go via an old patio door from another room or an old (and cold) sun room/porch area.

The couple enlisted the help of architect and co-founder of Abhr_a, Alex Bilton who worked closely with them to create a new extension while taking into account the existing traditional terraced layout that was sympathetic to the existing terraced formation of the neighbouring properties. 

Here, Alex, explains how he and his practice came up with their unique design and what obstacles they had to overcome when creating it.

‘We began by knocking down the existing kitchen and old extension and then added a larger six metre deep extension,’ explains Alex from Abhr_a Architects. 

‘As the terraced houses along the road follow a stepped design, we had to carefully consider how to create the large open plan space that the owners wanted, without impacting on the neighbours too much.' 

Alex's top bit of advice when planning and working out how to build an extension if to get your neighbours on side from the outset. ‘Discuss your plans with your neighbours early to keep them on board, he says. 'If you can win them over, the build will be less hassle and save you money.'

A stunning, modern terraced extension

The new single storey extension, spans the full width of the garden. The architects have used a traditional style facade of hanging clay tiles in a mix of terracotta and grey hues to form a unique finish. 

These arrowhead clay tiles have been used to create a hexagonal pattern across the rear extension to reflect the exterior cladding of the host building in a modern and original way.

The extension, although contemporary, sits perfectly in the period context with the considered design ensuring that it is not jarring.

The open plan kitchen diner

'We stepped the footprint of the building away from the boundary to create a nook for a pantry off the kitchen,' explains Alex. 'We then pitched the roof to slope towards each neighbour to minimise the impact the extension would have, as well as lower the height of the eaves at the boundary.'

'The new open plan space is split in two - a dining space on one side, with a built-in kitchen alongside a kitchen island idea on the other. The tall kitchen units and the bar area are positioned under the lowest part of the roof at the perimeter with an island in the tallest part of the extension.'

'We used glazing to give character to each of the zones,' continues Alex. 'Above the dining table, the roof structure is exposed to give character to the ceiling and steal some height. A five-metre long high-level clerestory window allows shafts of natural illumination spill into the space.'

A poured concrete floor is comfortable underfoot with the addition of underfloor heating and complements the interior scheme, a mix of the industrial, contemporary and period.

One of the key requests from the owners was to create a liveable space with copious amounts of light. The roof has been designed to allow further glazing to be installed in the form of clerestory windows so that natural brightness can penetrate further into the plan. These fixed skylights and rooflights ensure the space benefits from passive solar gain in the winter. 

Keeping the decor neutral was important to the homeowners and you should always stipulate this with your designers in order to make your open plan kitchen work for you. 

The smart kitchen-diner combines warm wood materials that soften the stark white walls and beams. The layout is set up to encourage you to focus on the views out towards the garden.

Built-in storage and a best wine fridge elevate the interior finish and maximise on the room available. 

Here, the niche has been filled with a bespoke unit that matches the kitchen cabinetry, which was chosen because it offers a unique, modern take on the classic shaker kitchen style. 

The unit was designed into the layout from the beginning, with the space created as the result of the challenge to limit the extension’s impact on the neighbouring properties.

Views back into the original part of the building are uninterrupted by visual barriers, but demarcated with the use of timber flooring in the living area. There are two separate openings, lead from the original part of the property into the new kitchen-diner. 

The larger opening connects the existing formal living room, while a narrower doorway leads to the entry hall that contains the staircase taking you to the upper levels of the property.

The steps leading back up separate and help define the areas further. While the cleverly positioned glazing helps transport light through to the front of the property.

The central island has further storage that helps the space remain tidy keeping the space free of distractions.

The kitchen island

A central kitchen island is key to this communal space, offering a practical area to prep and cook meals, while simultaneously encouraging group conversations to centre around the unit. 

The two best bar stools are ideally positioned for intimate dinners or quick catch-ups with friends and family while enjoying cups of tea and coffee. The kitchen island presents a less formal space to dine right at the heart of the home.

The window seat

An oriel window enables the occupants to enjoy the garden space even in winter as it protrudes into the external space, connecting the two areas to make it seem like you’re sitting in the garden. The bespoke window seat offers more space for guests to relax while food and drinks are being prepared for entertaining.

The path to the window seat is clear of obstruction and has been designed to invite individuals to sit and enjoy the space. The cooking area features versatile cladding, a nod to the period heritage, which complements the modern shaker style.

The property before works began

The property is located in a conservation area and is a typical Edwardian terrace with a pitched roof. It had an existing rear extension that didn’t connect well to the garden and internally was slightly disjointed. 

The homeowners wanted to rejig the layout and create an extension that would be distinctively modern while celebrating the traditional elements of the existing building. 

Focus on: Extension roofs

Architect Alex Bilton shares his top tips and ideas

• Angled design makes it easier for rainwater, debris and snow to drain away from the roof, which means that these are less likely to build up in your gutters and cause blockage.
• Expose the timber or steel structure in key areas to add texture to the ceiling or zone the internal spaces.
• Position skylights over a dining table or island to create a focal point, but make sure to consider where the lighting will be positioned.
• Embrace existing level changes beneath the roof by adjusting the height accordingly to create higher ceilings in your extension.
• Make savings on your bills by adding insulation into the gap between the pitched roof and the internal ceiling or create energy by adding solar panels to the angled surfaces.

There are not many people that can say they bought their home for less than a pint of milk. However, Maxine Sharples from Liverpool purchased her home for the crazy sum of £1, before setting out to renovate it on a budget.

Maxine applied back in 2015 as part of a regeneration scheme that allowed locals to buy derelict houses for £1, on condition that they renovated the properties themselves. Maxine was thrilled when years later she was offered the chance to buy a Victorian two-bedroom terrace herself. 

‘I got the keys in February 2020,’ says Maxine, ‘but the clock was ticking as I only had 12 months to complete the renovations! Then four weeks later, the UK went into national lockdown. Luckily, the council issued me an extra 12 months to complete the renovation.’

Derelict £1 home renovation

Maxine, who has shown the transformation of her home over on Instagram at @homesforapound, admits she was relatively naïve about the process. ‘As a yoga teacher, I couldn’t have been less experienced in construction and project management,’ she says. ‘As tradesmen were in short supply, I took to doing a lot of labouring myself, starting with ripping everything out. 

Before

A hole in the roof meant a tree had taken root in the house and it was in a poor state. ‘There was water ingress, asbestos, rat infestations – you name it, it had it all!’ says Maxine. ‘It took me nine months to get the house back to brick. Luckily, I could learn from YouTube tutorials, which saved me a lot of money.’

After

Even the façade got a bit of love, with brightly painted windows and smart front door ideas. ‘The windows are triple glazed,’ says Maxine. ‘I really brought this house back to life.’

With a bit of vision and the help of an architect, Maxine set about redesigning the layout inside. ‘By removing the loft and all upstairs internal walls, I created this double-height open space,’ she says. ‘Add in two of Velux’s biggest skylights and I’d transformed the house in one swoop of the sledge hammer.’

The house has been given a smart, sophisticated look with plush touches such as a wine fridge and underfloor heating. ‘I installed Wunda underfloor heating, which is such a luxury,’ says Maxine. 

We have to agree, and not only does Wunda’s underfloor heating make Maxine’s period home warmer, but it’s also an energy-efficient solution for both new and older homes.

The bathroom features a sleek monochrome look, with a black shower and tap and large-format wall tiles. The shower tray is lined with pebble-style tiles for interest, while the small window brings light into the room.

 ‘I’ve moved so many times in my life and now I feel I can finally settle in this house,’ says Maxine. 

Would you have the ambition to take on a challenge like this house? 

Ever wondered what a flat roof extension might look on the back of your home? A hugely extravagant home transformation might seem tempting but not everyone has the budget for such an enormous project, let alone the existing space to renovate.

Often, some of the simplest kitchen extension ideas can make a massive difference to the space in a modest property, and this is the perfect example of a super smart design executed brilliantly and successfully. 

In a search for more light and space in their home, the homeowners of this five bedroomed terraced house from the 1900s in south east London contacted architect James Bernard, director of Plus Rooms. 

Flat roof extension transformation

The family's original kitchen was cramped with limited space for the owners to cook or entertain guests. They wanted to add an extension to create an open plan kitchen and dining interior without stealing previous garden space. Here, James takes us through the transformation.

'We extended at the rear and into the side return to create a wraparound extension,’ explains James, ‘which involved moving the existing cloakroom in line with the stairs for a new small utility room idea. Instead of a large opening onto the garden, we fitted a separate steel-framed door and window to help regulate traffic flow.'

'The newly landscaped patio and garden has now become a natural continuation of the kitchen/dining room, continues James. 'The homeowners were keen to have a continuous glass ceiling so we created a pitched flat roof extension with sloped glazing, which opens the area up to the sky.'

'The steel-framed glazing and exposed steel beams add a sleek and industrial accent to the room. Exposed brickwork paired with a herringbone flooring gives the new extension warmth, while perfectly balancing detail and simplicity.'

'The build took eight weeks before the kitchen and flooring were added. Now, the garden feels more connected to the house, creating a wonderful atmosphere inside and out.’

The kitchen

Incorporating a side return that is squared off with a rear extension - as the homeowners have done here - can make a huge transformation to a standard terraced Victorian house.

James from Plus Rooms created various ‘landing points’ for people entering the space and also moving through it. Guests can move from the dining zone into the kitchen zone and step up to the living room via the clearly defined traffic pathways created throughout the open plan extension.

The clean lines of the kitchen island ideas and cabinetry give a very contemporary appearance with salvaged brickwork creating a feature wall.

Victorians prioritised drawing rooms to the rear of the house, but tastes are very different now. The focus has switched to the kitchen, as homeowners want it to have more space, light and greater flexibility. 

The dining area

It was important to maintain continuity of glass down the side of the old return. The pitched flat roof extension design allows the stretch of glass to be supported within the whole side area. This gives a spacious feel to the dining area in particular as natural light floods in from above.

Opting for a pitched flat roof satisfied the homeowner’s brief as they wanted a continuous glass roof to run all the way down the space making the best use of the side return extension ideas. A flat roof extension requires fewer materials which can lead to cost savings when undertaking an extension. 

Steel-framed doors offer a modern rustic look that works well with textures and raw exposed structures, such as the steel beams and industrial style brickwork. 

All these are complemented by the clean lines of the glass roof. The black finish of the patio doors echoes the pitched glazed roof supports and provides a strong accent colour within the interior. 

Including a glass roof creates a great sense of freedom and connection to the outside, as well as adding a stunning architectural feature to an extension. The side return glazed roof creates a cost-effective aesthetic and creates a unique interior that is both subtle and dramatic.

Zoning the kitchen and dining areas ensures the space doesn’t feel cavernous. Herringbone wood floors add a strong geometric element to the room that is softened by the tones of the timber, contrasting with the sharp lines of the ceiling support beam and the pitched glazed roof.

Many period terraced buildings have a pathway that runs alongside the ground floor at the rear of the property. 

Utilising the full width of the house by building a new structure into this often unused side return is the ideal design solution to maximise a compact extension. Including this redundant space offers the opportunity to reconfigure the ground floor layout providing more of a family-friendly interior.

The patio doors to the garden

Choosing a modest and compact extension meant that only a small proportion of the garden was lost. 

The choice of a flat roof extension shape works perfectly with a smaller extension and ensures the overall design inside and out remains simple and uncluttered. 

Adding a deep recessed window adds character to a corner, which has been turned into a cosy nook.

The cloakroom

Relocating the downstairs cloakroom so that it is in line with the stairs simplifies the traffic flow between the kitchen and dining extension and the original part of the house. 

Sliding pocket doors to the cloakroom ensure the lines in the hallway remain uninterrupted.

The property before works began

The rear of the house felt cramped which was increased by the lack of glazing, which limited natural light and the kitchen space was quite cramped. However, it had a good sized back garden and a side return that was essentially unused. 

Outside, the garden felt bare and uninspiring. The white render and painted brickwork looked tired and old fashioned, whilst the patio area felt uninviting.

Focus On: Exposed brick walls

Architect James Bernard gives us the lowdown

• An exposed brick wall is a great way to add character and it brings a lot of detail to the room, but keep it in context as too much and it starts to look busy. As a rule of thumb, use about 30-40% of the overall amount of wall space for the best effect.
• Aim to place an exposed brick wall on the opposite side to the entrance to the space, because this way it will create the maximum impact.
• Running a continuous, exposed brick wall from your inside space into your garden makes a great design feature. It will carry your eye through the house and out to the garden and you’ll really feel like your space really extends to the outdoors.
• Reclaimed yellow bricks lend themselves best for this because of their texturing and the variety of colours they hold. You’ll have walls that have more character, and this will really shine through in the overall atmosphere of the room.
• Keep in mind that an original brick wall left unsealed may have moisture coming through, which can cause white marks and ruin the overall effect, so make sure that it’s properly sealed during the works.
• Brick slips are really beneficial as you don’t have to seal them. Remember that you will lose a few centimetres of space, but they work out much more cost effective than treating the whole wall.

Additional words by Caroline Foster

When these homeowners started looking to buy a new home, they told estate agents they weren’t scared to take on a project. 

The family had already sold their previous home and relocated to a rental property. When they looked around a small 1960s house, the couple saw past the damp issues, lack of heating and single glazing, and started planning a full-scale renovation and extension: ‘We didn’t exactly know what we could do with it, but the plot was great as it has beautiful views.' 

It quickly became apparent that a rebuild was the best option. The existing house had been built at the front of the plot, which is south facing, so the garden at the back faced north. Building again meant they could use the plot to their advantage. They also wanted the house to be energy-efficient. Combining the minds of their architect Jonathan Rixon and a Passivhaus consultant, they worked to design their new home with sustainability at the forefront...

They worked to create a dreamy eco home that would stay cool at the height of summer and warm in the winter.

Eco considerations - the Passivhaus model

These homeowners had an understanding of the Passivhaus model [where buildings are created to such high energy-efficient standards that they maintain an almost constant temperature]. It made sense for them to aim for a super-insulated, airtight house, for comfort and sustainability. 

The walls are a lot thicker than you’d expect in a house, but all of this means you are able to achieve a comfortable home with low U-values. As well as plenty of insulation they also have a mechanical ventilation heat recovery system. 

An air source heat pump with solar panels may seem like the best choice when it comes to energy efficiency, but ultimately a gas heating system worked just as well to fit in with budgets. Still, everything is positioned in a room at the back of the house so an air source heat pump and solar thermal panels could easily be added in the future. 

The build 

If you're risk averse, like these homeowners, it's important to do project planning and a ground site survey to be done, prior to demolition. Drilling eight-metre-deep boreholes around the plot, for example, ensured they knew they wouldn't need to do pile foundations. 

Going through planning was more straightforward than these homeowners initially thought it would be, but they did incur a five-month delay as they were told there might be bats on the site, which are a protected species. After waiting until May to do the survey, it luckily came back that there was nothing to worry about.

Though there was no escaping at least one hiccup. The neighbours' protected tree was missed from boundary checks, and foundations were dug close to the root. Fortunately, they could go ahead and just had to put protective fencing around the area.

The site was cleared and ready for the foundations to be dug. This meant the views of the surrounding hills were opened up – something the existing property was not taking advantage of. 

Demolition of the existing property got underway. The homeowners considered an eco retrofit, but decided to go for a zero-VAT-rated new build as they’d be able to incorporate more of what they wanted in their home. Works started in January 2020 and finished in December. It cost around £530,000. 

The ground floor was constructed. The build used a typical cavity wall construction method with beam and block suspended floor that is fully insulated. Trenches were dug out for the perimeter clockwork. 

A view of the inside face of the external wall inner leaf creates the airtightness for the walls. Partition walls were then erected to divide up the zones in the ground floor space too.

The layout 

The two-storey part of the house is on the higher level of the plot, so you come through the front door into that space. Then you go down three steps into the kitchen. The adult sitting area and playroom are both off the kitchen. With three children, the family has space for all of them to have their own room plus a spare bedroom for visitors. 

The design details 

This project was a long time in the planning, so over the years of saving pins, the homeowners started to see what their overall themes and styles were - a great tip for those not knowing where to start, especially if you're overwhelmed with decor ideas.  

Admittedly, it can be daunting decorating an entire house, and hiring an interior designer seems like a safe option. But as the process proceeds, a design style is sure to show through. 

Hallway 

Building the house from scratch meant these homeowners could incorporate unique features into the plan, like the wine rack under the staircase. Innovative storage design also helps the space to be so spacious. 'It’s great that you can welcome people into the house without feeling cramped.’

 Stairway 

The bannister was custom designed by the architect Jonathan Rixon. ‘Its a very specific scenario with the galleried landing,’ he explains. ‘We wanted a design that’s compliant with building regulations, but allows thorough views. We wanted it to appear to wrap around without stopping.

The upstairs corridor has a small rooflight at the top of the stairs for ventilation. On hot summer days it's great for temperature control as it opens up automatically when it hits 24 degrees.

Kitchen 

‘This space has my favourite views,’ says the homeowner. ‘Even on bleak December days I still enjoy looking out to the woods.’ This setting has been enhanced with layered lighting of statement pendant, table lamps and shelving units that create a relaxed ambiance. 

Bathroom 

The bathrooms features an inset shelf – the ideal design for a neat shower enclosure. And whilst initially choosing calm colours for this space, that work well together, these homeowners are glad they can go bolder if they choose to in the future. 

Snug 

Just off the open-plan space, this room is ideally positioned for the children to play in when we’re cooking. Although, this separate grown-up sitting room is the best place for relaxing in. And the fact it’s separate from the children’s playroom, means it can mainly be used in the evenings when the children are in bed. 

Focus on: Timber verandah

The timber verandah is an untreated half lap Siberian larch from Vastern Timber. As it is protected from the elements it won’t suffer from watermarking. It costs around £75sq m for untreated versions - a bargain considering the long-term benefits:

Verandah helps keep a house cool in summer and warm in winter; it's been designed to provide shade on warm days so that the internal spaces don’t overheat. ‘We knew how deep the verandah should be to provide shade for the big windows downstairs. The plank widths allowed us to control the detailing on the corners too,’ explains the architect. 

In turn, a well-planned out, protected, external shaded area can provide an extended living space and is great for alfresco dining. It’s also an extension of the play area for the children on a rainy day. 

When finding ways of adding more space, sometimes extending up or out just isn't enough. That was the problem facing this family when they wanted to create an open plan kitchen, living and dining area in their 1930s detached home in Kent.

As well as having plans to renovate the entire property, the existing kitchen was small and disconnected from the dining room, with an old extension that was dark and cold. Aside from having clear plans on how to design the kitchen of their dreams, the cramped nature of the rooms at the rear of the house made the owners seek professional help on making their dreams a reality. 

They enlisted the expertise of architect Marienne Pachonick to find a way to create the home they longed for, with a bright airy family-friendly multi-use space at its heart. 

Here, Marienne Pachonick talks us through the project, the problems that her firm had to overcome and the finished result.

Adding more space - how this family extended up, down and out

The original house and garden had a significant level difference which made the garden feel disconnected from the house and less accessible. The existing extension was old fashioned and didn’t take advantage of the full width of the house. 

It also starved the interior of natural daylight, which made the rooms feel dark and dingy. The grey rendered exterior and tiered level crazy paving contributed to the oppressive looking and outdated appearance.

‘As well as renewing almost every aspect of this house,’ explains Marienne, ‘the biggest improvement was to add a kitchen, seating and dining area in an extension that extends beyond the width at the rear.'

'So when the pandemic hit in 2020,' she continues, 'I adjusted the plans to include some modern home office ideas for working from home. The owners wanted a feeling of spaciousness, to maximise the natural light and to have easy access to the outside. By lowering the floor of the extension, we created a much better connection to the garden and gained height without making an overly large structure.'

'Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, a feature window seat and large roof lanterns satisfy their wish for a bright interior,' she continues. 'They were also keen to capitalise on existing features of the garden and a mature oak has become the anchor for an outdoor dining space.'

'The entire project ran smoothly thanks largely to the great attention to detail from the start, an agreed budget and the open-mindedness of the owners,' says Marianne, 'who were bold in their commitment to using modern materials.’

The kitchen area

A two tone plywood kitchen cabinets complement the charred larch and the plywood lined window seat which frames the view to the garden, providing a sophisticated and bold finish. 

Ceiling height built-in cabinetry echoes the floor to ceiling sliding doors in the sitting zone beyond. 

A traditional herringbone floor coupled with a bold colour scheme emphasises the increased ceiling height of the new extension and adds a sense of scale to the new extension.

A feature window has a built-in seat and is framed using a plywood lining on all four sides to provide a cosy nook in which the family can curl up and relax whilst enjoying views into the garden. 

Locating a projecting window seat into a kitchen turns an otherwise blank wall into a useful feature as well as introducing a furnishing feel to the hard-working kitchen space.

Combining contrasting materials adds an interesting architectural feature to the new extension in the form of a large window seat structure, which is framed with charred larch exterior cladding which adds a bold accent against the warmer red brick facade. 

Tall glazing helps to amplify the light around the window seat area and into the kitchen space beyond.

The utility room

As utility room design ideas go, the bold yellow and black colour scheme provides strong visual statement within an otherwise all white interior.
The addition of black accents in the form of wall plugs and window frames anchor the scheme.

Subtle design details such as the sliding cupboard fronts echo the sliding pocket doors located in the dining zone. A tall, slim window frame looks out onto the courtyard beyond.

The living area

Floor-to-ceiling height sliding doors elongate the space, bringing the views from the garden into the interior. 

Frameless glazed skylights and rooflights add a sleek, modern look that visually reinforces the sense of added ceiling height whilst boosting the flow of natural light throughout the entire new extension. 

A living room within the open plan extension satisfies the owner's need for natural daylight with the slim framed sliding doors, which are framed in a bold black that echoes the charred large used on the exterior. 

An all-white interior gives a contemporary appearance which is contrasted with the warmth of the herringbone wood flooring ideas.

The dining area

Revealing original architectural elements, such as the exposed ceiling joists, adds great character to the newly created dining area as well as contrasting with the modern panelling.  

The herringbone floor continues through to this space, provideing a visual flow throughout the interior and bespoke storage has been built to house books, ornaments and clever hidden sliding pocket doors that can close off the room to create a more intimate space.

Incorporating an existing room into a newly created space will create character to an extension as well as giving the option of creating a new and useful living zone. 

A dining room that was rarely used by the family has been given a new lease of life by connecting it to the new open plan family kitchen and living area. 

Removing the ceiling to create a feeling of additional height makes the dining room feel more spacious.

The property before works began

In comparison to the property before works began, the lower level extension now relates much better to the garden.

With easy access from the kitchen to the garden, the family enjoys the benefits of the open plan interior and newly landscaped garden, as does the family dog.

Focus on: Dropping down

Architect Marienne Pachonick shares her tips and ideas

• Planning regulations are sensitive to the height of an extension, but by lowering the structure you can avoid potential objections.
• You can achieve better accessibility and views into the garden by lowering the internal open-plan floor level of the extension.
• Adding glazed patio doors and a feature window will naturally connect a rear extension to the garden and make the most of the natural light. Large sliding doors will not intrude into the space.
• Installing steps leading down into a new, lower level extension will create a natural transition from the existing house interior.
• Lowering the floor of an extension increases the floor-to-ceiling height of the interior, which adds to the sense of spaciousness and increases headroom too.

Additional words by Caroline Foster

Looking to add height and light to your space? Consider dropping the floor level. That's what this couple did when building an extension on their house with help from their architect. 

Located in south London, this four-bedroomed Victorian terrace is home to a couple and their young daughter. Before they enlisted Alice's help, the rear of the house had a linear, dark kitchen in a space with low ceilings and the cramped space wasn’t suitable for entertaining. 

Here, their architect Alice Theodorou, director at Noto Architects, explains the process of what her company did to transform the space into this delightfully bright open plan kitchen diner. 

Dropping the floor level - kitchen diner transformation

‘The homeowners came to us with a clear brief for the kitchen’, explains Alice. ‘They wanted the dark space at the back of the house to feel as light and open as possible. By dropping the floor level, we tackled the issue of the low ceilings. We underpinned the existing foundations and created an uninterrupted vista, or picture window, which frames the garden.’

The rear extension features a fully glazed wall made up of a fixed and sliding doors that helps link the garden to the rest of the property. 

The architects used a flat roof on one side, which features a green roof system, while the other section of the roof is pitched. 

Along the glazed roof to the infill, the roof windows are fixed panes, while the rectangular units open electronically to ventilate the space when required.

The new design allowed for an effortless connection between indoors and out. ‘A flush threshold detail with concealed drainage channels allows for an almost seamless transition between the kitchen and the garden,' continues Alice, 'which helps the space appear much larger.’

Clean symmetrical lines combine to give this new extension a modern finish. However, traditional design choices in the joinery and materials such as the leather found in the banquette seating make it feel warm and inviting. 

The neutral shades help reflect light around the space and the natural materials such as wood add texture and stop the space from appearing flat. 

Strategically placed glazed units work together to provide brightness that penetrates all corners of the room.

The dining area features ample space for the family and their friends to gather around, with informal leather upholstered banquette seating on one side and individual timber dining chairs to the other. 

Natural top-down lighting pours through the fixed glazing and wall hung lighting supplements this during evening mealtimes. 

The position of the skylight means the owners can enjoy intimate moments together without being overlooked by neighbouring properties.

The garden is separated from the kitchen diner via a large sliding door, which when open creates a wide opening that invites you to explore the external space. 

By dropping the floor level and evening this our into the garden, they could then lay  large format limestone flooring both indoors and out. This flows out from the extension connecting up with the patio to create a solid visual link between the two spaces. 

The neutral green and cream shades employed in the kitchen cabinetry are a mirror of the colours naturally found within the garden.

A pitched glazed roof is a striking element of the design which allows plenty of daylight to flood into the news space. ‘The roof structure,' explains Alice, 'is visually independent of the large-format sliding doors, allowing the glazing to appear to sail in front of it, maximising the doors’ height.’

An external seating space has been integrated into the tall raised beds and reflects the setup that has been established in the internal dining area. 

Entertaining family and friends and/or watching children play outside while in the kitchen is made easier as the extension has uninterrupted views out all the way to the rear of the garden.  The entire space is kept warm and cosy during the winter by underfloor heating.

The garden has been designed to be low maintenance while presenting different levels in the form of raised beds, shrubs and trees. 

The contemporary style blends well with the new addition and makes it easier for the owners to enjoy the space during the warmer months. It's afforded privacy via the vertically mounted timber cladding and high level planting, which helps soften the scene. 

Internally a classic style double butler sink provides lots of room to wash food and utensils, while the durable marble worktop space offers plenty of room for people to prepare food and gather around the island.

The dining zone has been finished using complementary earthy brown hues that help establish a formal, yet cosy setup. 

The leather upholstery is reminiscent of trendy London bar seating, a setup that maximises the use of the space available. 

Positioned to enjoy views out through the large rear sliding door, the dining area is a distinctly separate space from the rest of the kitchen and helps maintain a sense of order in the open plan space.

The mapping of the kitchen diner was also well through through according to the owners needs. They wanted a new kitchen diner layout that would allow them to cook and socialise simultaneously, whilst encouraging free flow between all the areas. 

'The kitchen island can be accessed at both ends,' explains Alice, 'which increases the openness of the space - it became the focal point of the whole scheme.'

Knowing how to commission a bespoke kitchen helped the owners choose the exact look they wanted without compromise. The kitchen units were designed and built to fit the space, each unit serves a purpose and ensures that the maximum amount of storage is readily available. 

A neutral colour has been chosen for the wall units, with a green hue selected for the island to bring the whole scheme together. 

The bar seating neatly tucks in under the island worktop so that when the space is not in use the path from the stairs to the garden can be kept clear of obstacles.

A built- in wine cooler has been integrated into the central island, conveniently positioned for easy access, especially when entertaining. 

The large fridge has additional storage located above it to ensure that no space is wasted. 

Small, yet noticeable touches include the matching up of the pendant lampshade, worktop and unit doors colour to create continuity within the open plan space. 

In contrast with the modern style extension structure the kitchen is made up using traditional shaker style cabinet doors, these are complemented with classic style pulls, which stand out against the neutral beige hue. 

The owners have chosen a mix of floor and wall cabinets in order to have as much hidden storage as possible, this way the space remains tidy and clutter-free. 

The marble splashback ties in with the worktops to create an elegant, timeless finish. 

The property before renovation

​The original kitchen was nondescript in its design with a configuration that was linear and dark, and fundamentally was not conducive to entertaining guests or cooking with company present in the same room. 

The overgrown garden didn’t lend itself to entertaining or family life and needed a lot of maintenance, especially during the summer. 

The entire rear area required an overhaul in order to make it enjoyable year-round.

FOCUS ON Pitched Glazing

Architect Alice Theodorou shares her top tips and ideas 

• Choose wall-hung lighting Lighting pitched glazed roof systems don't provide much opportunity for overhead lighting, so go for wall-mounted fittings around the side of the rooflight instead.
• They’re perfect for side-infill extensions Pitched glazing is transformative in even the darkest of lean-to side extensions in a terraced house, providing up to 30% more natural light than conventional windows
• Factor in drainage Don't forget that first floor drain pipe systems will need to be considerably re-routed around a new glazed roof - and ideally remaining concealed from view.
• Consider the sun In areas of direct sunlight, opt for glass with a UV filter and integrated blinds for your windows
• Pick your pitch Glazing with too acute a pitch can overwhelm drainage channels during heavy rain.

Broken plan kitchen design is a relatively new trend in interiors. While the popularity for knocking down walls and going open plan has been huge for years, the pandemic made families long for more private spaces, rooms where you can work, read or relax, uninterrupted.

This four bedroomed Victorian terraced house in North London is a perfect example of how to design a kitchen and how an open plan space can deliver so much more reconfigured with a broken plan layout. 

The property was originally small and compact and needed a kitchen extension to give the homeowners more space for their family. While many might be tempted to create a large open plan roomed extension, the owners, with help from their architect Amos Goldreich Architecture, have created a wonderfully airy kitchen diner with a seemingly separate space for storage and relaxing, thanks to a shelf laden dividing wall.

Here, founder Amos Goldreich talks us through the transformation, the issues that the original property had and the design that his firm came up with as a solution.

Broken plan kitchen design - why it works

‘Rather than building a standard box extension,’ explains Amos, ‘we wanted to reference the separate spaces, both internally and externally, using an asymmetric form that is united by white brick.'

'Inside,' he continues, 'the broken-plan layout offers opportunities to enjoy and interact with nature from many angles. We’ve maximised the space and reconnected the different areas while leaving them clearly defined; there is a kitchen, a dining area and a reading nook, plus a WC.'

The kitchen area

Dark blue replacement kitchen doors on standard kitchen carcasses were a great money-saving option that has allowed the owners to stay within budget while achieving a unique finish. 

The bold blue is a great contrast to the neutral palette, ensuring that the space doesn’t feel cold, while the integrated handles on the door fronts help maintain a clutter-free finish in keeping with the contemporary space. These units again use the full height of the new space to maximise on storage.

Pine joinery was used to create shallow cupboards and open shelving. This combination of small kitchen storage ideas allows the owners to use the area in a variety of ways, such as a children’s play area, or a cosy snug to read in.

It also provides an extra space from which the couple can work from home. High shelving means they can keep dangerous objects away from their small children and the cupboards allow easy access to everyday objects, which can be tidied away quickly.

The owners have chosen to have a galley kitchen ideas format, using the natural divide of the structural frame to separate the cooking area from the dining and reading nook. The children can also be in the same room as their parents during meal preps, too. 

The wall-mounted white units blend into the neutral scheme with the layout leading the eye out into the garden. Large format tiles add a subtle texture to the finish adding further interest to the muted scheme. 

Amos says of the design: 'We used materials that encourage the diffusion of light throughout, while the complementary exposed pine rafters help to divide the areas and come down to form open storage.'

These reflect illumination from the spotlights, skylights and rooflights and natural daylight coming in from the rear garden door.

While the timber structure helps create a diving and clear structure, it does not obstruct views out, but invites occupants to look outside. This makes it feel like the garden is in use 365 days of the year.

Everything now has its own space and people can use the different areas at the same time without the room feeling crowded. 

The asymmetric design of the new extension ideas immediately creates an impact as you enter the space. The roofline is highlighted and reflects the external form that can be seen from the garden. 

The colour palette is generally limited to natural light hues, although a burst of blue creates a well-considered break in the scheme and stops the space from appearing stark. 

Track lighting to one side supplements the rooflights, while pendant lights on the other side create a more intimate space.

Now setting up the dinner table while someone puts the finishing touches to a meal is straightforward. There's plenty of space between the areas to allow for this task to be completed without getting in each other's way. 

Structural timber beams bend and fold to support the new structure and continue from the ceiling down to not only divide the internal space but provide integrated storage. 

There are both open shelving, great for displaying keepsakes, while closed cupboards prevent things being too cluttered. 

The pale pine timber used works well in combination with the roof windows with natural brightness bouncing off the wood, helping the space feel light.

Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry provides ample storage in the small gallery kitchen, while a small toilet with a space-saving sliding pocket door is at the rear of the kitchen.

The hallway leads directly into the new extension space which features downstairs toilet ideas, separated from the room with the pocket door. 

The dining area feels spacious offering plenty of room for the family to share daily meals, or to comfortably host and entertain guests. 

A new shelving unit has been designed to make use of the entire ceiling height and a light timber chosen so it doesn’t feel overbearing.

The window seat

The separate reading nook feels private, yet gives the opportunity to speak to people whether they are in the dining or kitchen. 

The space doesn’t have direct access to the garden, but as with all great window seat ideas, when you sit there it it feels like you are outside. 

The extension’s asymmetrical roof shape helps filter light deep into the plan of this new addition, while the pale brick was chosen to establish a visual separation between the old and the new.

Perfect for all weathers, the additional ‘living area’ provides more space for other activities so that the extension becomes a multifunctional place that can be enjoyed all day, all year.

Brick pavers have been used to create a new patio area making the external space appear as light and bright as the internal areas. The window seat projects out into the garden helping to bridge a connection between the two spaces.

The exterior

Outside, the contemporary addition is distinct because of the use of Karma White Stock brick. This continues the theme of lightness that has been employed throughout the interiors. 

The owners and architects were keen to highlight the difference between the modern addition and the existing Victorian property. A large fixed glazed window complete with a window seat helps create a beautiful finish that connects the internal and external space year-round.

Architect Amos Goldreich adds: 'The use of the pale brick emphasises the freshness and newness of the extension and creates a separation from the existing part of the house. Brick continues to make an impact in the patio area, where we chose stone grey pavers in a small format to add interest while maintaining a similar aesthetic.'

The property before works began

'Overall,' explains Amos, 'we created a better visual and physical connection to the outdoors, which instantly improves the sense of well-being. Now when the owners walk into their home they can see straight through to the garden.’

Focus On: Broken plan layouts

Architect Amos Goldreich shares his top tips and ideas

• A visual connection from one zone to the next allows for the space to act as a whole when wanted. This can be achieved and celebrated using feature joinery to create decorative screens.
• Using similar materials across the different zones will help them feel more connected and create a greater sense of space.
• Use cues not partitions - this can be a change in floor level, a feature skylight or a built-in piece of furniture to prompt a specific use.
• Consider both the room function and the number of people using it; a cosy library is different to a busy dining room. The flow between them could be controlled differently, maybe with concealed sliding doors.
• Different zones need different types of lighting to create the mood required in that space. These can be strip light, spot lights or feature pendant lighting. Think about how these look together and work together in one room.

Barns, tents, shepherd’s huts – there aren’t many things that haven’t been converted into unique and fun living quarters in recent years. But one thing you don't often see as a holiday home is a converted silo - that is, until now.

Enter Silver Silo, a new property set within the private grounds of Cwmhir Court, located in Powys, Mid-Wales. Once an old working farm silo, the impressive structure has been totally transformed, into an absolutely lovely three-bedroom, two-bathroom holiday home.

Set within stunning gardens with a magnificent view of the Welsh countryside, the property is now a suitably modern space with (of course) curved walls, domed ceilings, and spiral staircases.

One of the metal walls of the original silo has even been left uncovered, to give the house a really authentic touch – and a nod to its history, for visiting guests.

For those looking for a tranquil weekend getaway, the home’s interior couldn’t be more perfect. The downstairs is flooded with natural light, and is made up of one big open-plan area, with the kitchen and living room ideas combined to create a huge entertaining space.

Wooden floors dominate the lower level, and the property is decorated in modern, neutral tones, with a chic grey kitchen ideas and spacious grey corner sofa.

Head upstairs, and you’ll find the three equally-sized bedrooms, all of which have a plush grey carpet, and views out onto the rolling Welsh hills. One of the double bedrooms also enjoys an outside balcony and ensuite – we’ll race you to it!

The property, which sleeps 5 (plus 1 dog!) also has a gorgeous enclosed (and private) garden, with a BBQ, if you fancy spending summer nights here.

Located within the peaceful Welsh village of Clyro, the converted silo is within easy walking distance of Hay-on-Wye, a cultural market town with plenty of pubs, galleries, bookshops, and even a Castle! It’s also a stone’s throw from the River Wye itself. So there will be plenty to do before retiring to your silo in the evening…

If you fancy booking, a seven-night stay will set you back around £1,803 in total.

Ever wondered how much space extending out and into the side return might give you? Surprisingly for such a small surface extra, side return extension ideas can yield plenty of extra space.

Extend further outwards into your garden and you can create a brilliantly spacious new area. This is what this homeowner did when he tired of his cold, narrow kitchen. Disconnected from the garden, it lacked any natural light.

Edward Martin, director at Delve Architects who worked on the project, explains what and how they transformed the property into a light and bright new space.

The side return kitchen extension

‘Our goal,’ explains Edward, ‘was to open out the ground floor layout and bring in as much sunshine as possible. To achieve this, we re-jigged the floorplan and created a wraparound rear extension to accommodate spacious new open plan kitchen ideas.'

'The extension,' continues Edward, 'pushes out from the back of the house by about three metres. But maximising the redundant space in the side return that was probably the biggest element in terms of making the project a success.'

In extending out and into the side return, structural glazing has been used overhead to maximise brightness levels. Glazed metal frame doors provide that all-important connection with the garden, as well as bringing in even more natural light.

The design details

'The pitched roof of the extension,' explains Edward, 'was another key element for creating that sunny, airy space, as it offers extra headroom above. A materials palette encompassing concrete floors, exposed brick walls and steel beams infuses the space with an industrial vibe. This was something our client was keen to establish from the start.’

Steel-frame gridded doors were on the homeowner's wish list from the start of the project. Fixed glazing has been incorporated on either side of the opening panels to maximise the glazed area at the back of the house.

The same poured concrete floor finish runs seamlessly from inside to out, helping to draw the eye out into the garden and establish a seamless link between inside and out.

The kitchen diner

Over the years, the homeowner has amassed a collection of antique pieces of furniture, many of which he was keen to incorporate into the new extension.

For example, the timber cabinet opposite the kitchen island ideas infuses the space with character, its rich texture and warm grain contrasting with the sleek quartz worktops.

Thanks to the broad spans of glass, the extension is undoubtedly modern in its design. However, the homeowner wanted to avoid creating an ultra-sleek zone that would be at odds with the historic character and period features of the original Victorian house.

The kitchen design uses traditional and contemporary elements, including unfussy Shaker kitchen ideas with metal cap handles.

As well as providing a practical area for food prep and wash up, the kitchen island features a breakfast bar for informal dining. There’s even a television hidden inside one of the kitchen cabinets, so the homeowner can take a perch and watch TV.

A hard-wearing quartz was chosen as the material for the countertop – hot pans can be placed down onto the surface without worrying that it’ll get damaged.

Rather than covering the rafters with a layer of plasterboard, these structural elements were left exposed. This adds an extra layer of depth and richness to the overall design of the kitchen. It also means higher ceilings that augment the bright, airy feel of the space.

The Douglas fir rafters were finished with a light oil wash. This allows the natural warmth and character of the timber to shine through.

The mini courtyard

'As part of the alterations to the floorplan,' explains Edward, 'we also incorporated a central courtyard at the back of the kitchen. This means the guest WC and formal dining room on the other side of that outdoor space benefit from natural light filtering in.'

The homeowner is a keen gardener, so the courtyard also provides a sunny spot to keep plants. Reclaimed bricks were sourced for the extension, helping to make the transition between the old and new parts of the house as fluid as possible.

Getting an industrial look

Having previously lived in New York, the homeowner was keen to bring some of the city’s industrial style to his North London kitchen.

From the start, this was one of the key design ideas the architects sought to infuse into the project. A selection of industrial flourishes was incorporated fairly early on in the design phase, including the exposed steel beams overhead.

Incorporating a pitched roof above the extension has opened up several interesting design possibilities, too. This includes the scope to install an interesting lighting scheme.

Though the house needed work initially, one benefit was that it retained many of its original period features. According to architect Edward, many Victorian homes will have had features such as cornicing, architraves and skirting stripped out.

A final piece of advice, when it comes to extending out and into the side return or indeed any extension project, Edward suggests to 'take plenty of time to consider all the possibilities for your project and determine your top priorities.'

The property before extending out and into the side return

The house was cold and uninsulated, with a narrow kitchen. What's more, all the timber window frames were rotten. Access to the garden was inconvenient, too, as you had to go through a WC to get there.

Focus on: Pitched roofs

Architect Edward Martin at Delve Architects explains the essentials:

• They open an area up. They provide you with additional headroom and a greater sense of space.
• Leaving the rafters open will turn your ceiling into a rich design feature.
• You can use the angles to your benefit, especially if glazed. The angle of the roof plane has the potential to provide extra privacy.
• They're more durable as water can easily drain off. Flat roofs are more prone to issues with leaking.
• There's scope to have fun with lighting. With more clearance to the ceiling, you can play with a variety of different pendants. Here, the homeowner has suspended looped cable lighting from the exposed rafters.

Additional words by Rebecca Foster

When a family of four found they had outgrown their Edwardian home and needed an upgrade, they opted for a smart solution to make the most of there space by extending their home out and up.

When your space is at a minimum, the obvious solution is to build an extension on a house. But by extending out and up, you get more for your money, as well as a larger living space.

‘The family had outgrown the spaces and longed for an open-plan space for modern-day living, explains the lead architect Ester Corti, who is also co-founder and director of Mitchell + Corti Architects.

‘We needed to maximise the property’s internal headroom while incorporating the difference in level between gardens as the road is on an incline,' continues Ester.

'So we suggested adding a side and rear extension with an asymmetric pitch and skylights and rooflights to both sides. This would allow for both early morning and evening light to the new living/kitchen/dining space.'

'This new extension would add space both to the side and the rear of the property,' explains Ester. 'It would also create an open plan feel and connection to the more formal living rooms at the front of the house.'

To add colour to an all-white kitchen, they painted the wall a sage green shade below dado level. The warming colour unifies the room and adds interest to the family space.

Extending out and up to create a new kitchen

The kitchen, with its flat panel, modern style doors was sourced via DIY Kitchens. A central kitchen island brings everything together giving the family a meeting point to gather around.

By extending out and up, this afforded the family more space to introduce clever built-in storage. This ensured their home didn’t feel too cluttered with all the kids’ toys, scooters, coats and shoes etc.

The Surfaceco worktop material is composite quartz, it was chosen for its durability because it's less prone to staining and scratching, unlike marble. A bank of full height cabinetry makes great use of the available space by occupying an entire wall.

The shades that have been chosen for the space help make it feel bright yet practical. The off-white paint colour to ensure the ceilings and walls retain the ability to reflect light.

Matching wall and pendant light fittings help bring the scheme together. Their simplicity complements the muted tones within the space.

The clean lines of the modern cabinetry pairs well with the induction hob and concealed appliances, such as the cooker hood that blends into the wall. Open wall-mounted shelving offers space to display items, too.

Opting for a combination of fixed and openable rooflights allows for passive ventilation and airflow without needing to open up the back doors.

Extending out and up provided larger ceiling heights within which to install roof glazing. The smaller rooflights are by Velux and the larger ones are made-to-measure designs.

The formal dining area

A more traditional wood dining table and chair set also brings in more warmth to the room. These provide another area to gather together, which is bathed in light that enters through the roof windows above.

The informal dining area

In a perfect example of a modern kitchen flooring idea, the homeowners have used engineered timber floorboards. This was a cost-effective solution that has enabled the architects to incorporate the use of a natural material internally.

The shade also works with the rest of the scheme to bounce natural light around the room, making the space feel bigger and brighter.

The window seat

A must-have window seat idea is perfectly placed by the oversized window. Made-to-measure in pale oak, it was designed to be an informal seat/reading nook.

It offers uninterrupted views out toward the garden, and a place for people to sit and relax when not seated at the dining table. Practical built-in storage allows the owners to maximise the available space and also to keep the open-plan room free of clutter.

The extension exterior

'We chose to clad the extension in dark charred timber,' explains Ester, 'in order to ensure longevity and minimal maintenance, and to avoid any issues around discolouration that can occur when using a pale timber. We also wanted to acknowledge the contemporary nature of this addition to the house by using a material distinctly different from those of the host building.’

As well as extending out and up, the exterior space now has a fresh appeal with the asymmetric roof design allowing for the strategic placement of rooflights internally. The homeowners opted for a stylish black-framed glazing that let in copious amounts of light.

The property before

Focus on: Shou-Sugi-Ban cladding

Architect Ester Corti shares her top tips and ideas on this classic cladding:

• Shou-sugi-ban is an ancient Japanese technique of traditional wood preserving art/technique of charring timber.
• It enhances the beauty of wood by making the timber grain more prominent.
• It requires very little maintenance and doesn't need to be sealed. The carbon layer protects the wood in the same way that a stain or sealant would.
• The entire process is chemical free. There are no chemicals used in the charring process. This makes this material suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
• It's naturally weather resistant. The charring process prevents rot, decay, infestations, and also improves levels of fire retardancy.

Additional words by Ifeoluwa Adedeji

Now this is what you call a transformation! This once rather dull and dreary caravan is now a vision of colour and pattern to inspire anyone thinking of being bolder with decor choices in their own small space at home. The incredible static caravan makeover sees a classic beige interior totally transformed with daring paint ideas and bold furniture and fittings.

The impressive transformation, dubbed 'Dixie Daydream' is the work of style duo The Style Producers, Diana Civil and Cassandra Doyle who teamed up with Wayfair to overhaul the interior.

'People often believe smaller spaces call for more pared back designs and pale colours, but we disagree' say the duo. 'Adding colour and pattern to even the smallest of spaces can add personality and character. By using bold colour and punchy patterns we have created maximum effect in a minimum space.'

Colourful static caravan makeover

Speaking of the transformation Wayfair’s Resident Style Advisor, Nadia McCowan Hill says: 'Dixie Daydream turns a traditionally lack-lustre caravan design on its head and proves that even the smallest space can be a haven of personal style if you renovate it thoughtfully'.

'Even with a maximalist “more is more” scheme we would suggest having a cohesive colour palette as your starting point' say the stylists. 'Then layer contrasting pattern and texture. We chose lilac, pink and mustard as our key colours. We have complimented them with our stand out navy carpet which pulls the scheme together perfectly. Being confident and generous with colour is the secret to success'.

Transformative pink painted ceiling

We think you'll agree the living space is almost unrecognisable from the drab space it was before. The project provided an opportunity for the duo to flex their creativity - pouring personality into the new maximalist interior. And they certainly went to town on expressing themselves.

'As stylists we are always excited by new finds and treasures and a spot of DIY, so what better way to channel our creativity than to transform a static caravan into a boutique stay like no other' say the styling duo.

The renovation project included changes to hardware, including a copper sink upgrade and contemporary built-in fireplace, both from Wayfair. With a savvy outlook to improve over move, we feel this project is an inspiration for those looking to revamp their own homes.

Out of all the DIY decor ideas the stand-out one has to be that painted pink ceiling. The shade wraps around the whole caravan and demonstrates how you can make a wow statement in a small space at little cost.

Pink painted kitchen

The pair show how painting kitchen cabinets can improve a kitchen instantly without replacing units. The brass handles are another cost-effective update.

'Working as The Style Producers we are generally working to a client brief, which means you are somewhat limited in personal expression,' say Cassandra & Diana of the makeover. 'Being completely let loose on to source furnishings and decor that we love was a complete delight – who wouldn’t enjoy finding lovely interiors treasures to revamp a caravan?'

It makes us want to recreate a little Dixie Daydream decor in our own homes. But if you want to enjoy it as a holiday home you can, as the Dixie Daydream static caravan launches for seaside stays. With nightly rates from £180 per night (low season) to £300 per night (high season). Visit Airbnb.com for more information.

It began as a four bedroom semi detached Victorian house in Hertfordshire. Indoors, the kitchen was dark and disconnected from the living spaces and the conservatory was cold and under utilised. The homeowners enlisted the help of an architect to totally transform the space.

By their very nature of being underground, basement ideas lack light. But with the help from the professionals - and in this case, introducing a glazed wraparound extension – you can transform the dark and dingy to light and bright.

The glazed wraparound extension

‘Bringing natural light into the property presented a great challenge,’ explains Christine Peever from Sheldon Peever Architects. ‘The south facing flank wall faces directly onto the street, so the option of adding windows was limited in order to prevent overlooking. The solution to bringing in more natural light was to install rooflights.'

'The first large rooflight,' continues Christine, 'was positioned in the side return extension following a similar footprint to the existing conservatory. It’s shielded from direct sunlight, which greatly increases light levels while reducing any potential solar gain.

A smaller extension was also added with a thin strip of frameless glass to the south elevation of the house. This arrangement gave us the opportunity to raise the ceiling height in these new extensions, enhancing the sense of space and light.'

'Smaller windows to the south elevation provide natural light to the existing stairwell and hallway,' adds Christine. 'They also frame views of the new external landscaping. The back of the house has glazing wrapped around which allows the internal spaces to fully open up onto the garden.’

The new extension

In the new wraparound glazed extension, sliding doors open up around the corner eliminating the need for bulky rails. Flush thresholds and opting for the same flooring throughout creates a seamless relationship between the indoor and outdoor zones.

Inside the property, the glazing was designed to go up to ceiling height. This maximises light coming into the space. The light coloured limestone kitchen flooring ideas reflect the light in this north facing garden and compliments the rendered finish to the external walls.

The kitchen diner

A glazed roof floods the kitchen with natural light, but being north east facing ensures the space will not overheat. The light-coloured kitchen cabinets and flooring help to bounce light around the room. 

Crittall-style glazing in this area creates a different feel in the kitchen from the rest of the space. This can be useful in large open plan spaces as a tool to zone spaces.

The position of the two rooflights provide a contrast to the natural lighting of the overall space. The rooflight over the kitchen adds height to the space and floods the kitchen with ambient natural light.

The glazing on the rear creates a direct visual and physical relationship with the garden that it previously lacked. The use of light coloured flooring, and kitchen cabinetry lightens this subterranean space.

The kitchen area

They homeowners specifically chose a frameless roof light in the kitchen. This was to introduce the largest area of glass possible to maximise the sunlight from the south elevation. The top light provides diffused lighting to this section of the room and as the roof light is positioned higher than the ceiling it is hidden from view.

By positioning this roof light higher up it protects the room from direct solar gain in the summer months but provides beautiful diffused light throughout the year. They decided against windows here due to the position of the level of the street and overlooking issues.

The coloured tiled kitchen splashback ideas provides a pop of colour to an otherwise neutral colour scheme. The timber worktop to the island gives a feeling of warmth against the neutral colours scheme. The neutral kitchen colour scheme contrasts with the sharpness of the black framed glazing.

The extension glazing

Flush thresholds create a better flow and blur the line between indoors and outdoors. They designed the glazing to open up from the corner to create a seamless relationship with the different outdoor spaces. The use of the same flooring in the outdoor spaces blurs the indoor outdoor boundary and makes the interior feel bigger.

The glazing goes all the way up to the ceiling to make the space feel bigger and reinforce the concept of blurring the boundary with the outdoors.

The property before works began

Focus on: Sliding doors

Architect Christine Peever from Sheldon Peever Studio gives us the lowdown...

• Choose your number: Consider how many doors and tracks you want to install, bearing in mind there’s always going to be a percentage of the glazing that can’t open. For example, introducing four doors sliding on two tracks means a maximum of 50% of the area can be opened.
• Stay flush: Create flush thresholds as this makes a difference to moving between the indoors and outdoors. You will need to include some drainage along the flush threshold to drain rainwater away. This drainage can also be flush and either made a feature of or minimised visually.
• Stretch it up: Taking glazing to the ceiling elongates a space, maximises views out of the internal spaces and lets more light in.
• Go for slim frames: Consider using slim frames so that when the sliding doors are closed you will have as thin as possible frames and a more uninterrupted view to the outdoors. These types of systems are not as expensive as they once were.
• Aluminium is hassle free: Apart from cleaning out tracks and the threshold drainage every once in a while, aluminium sliding doors are maintenance free.

Additional words by Caroline Foster

The owners of this remodelled 1960s family home had previously built a house and had been living in it for a year when they spotted this dated upside-down house online. They were instantly very taken with the unique property, and not afraid of a challenge, snapped it up right away.

The house was immaculate, but stuck in a 1980s time warp, design-wise. The old-fashioned kitchen was upstairs and although all the bathrooms were plain white, they lacked any interesting design elements. The owners knew a lot of work was ahead, as their aim was to remodel the space to make it more family friendly. They admit that it would have been cheaper to knock it down and start again but they wanted to keep its integrity.

An architect drew up plans to reconfigure the house, then a demolition team removed various internal walls. They relocated the ground floor living areas onto the lower ground floor, adding a single storey extension for the kitchen, living and dining areas.

The extension is mostly glass, so the owners can see their children, whether they’re outside or in the playroom. The owners managed to sell the old kitchen and bathroom fittings on eBay and the buyers came and did the dismantling themselves, which saved money.

To make the remodelled 1960s family home more energy efficient, they added outside insulation, rewired and replumbed throughout, and installed air-source heat pumps, in a change from oil-fuelled central heating.

The kitchen area

The kitchen of this upside-down house was originally on the ground floor, but was moved to the lower ground courtesy of the new glass extension which has created a light-filled living area that works perfectly for the whole family.

A worktop and backsplash of patinated copper plus a dark metallic plant holder add a warm glow to the black units. The owners didn’t want shiny bright surfaces, so the copper added warmth and texture. Copper is also antibacterial, so is self cleaning – you only need to use warm water and a sponge on it.

The dining area

A three-metre-long dining table, which is also narrow, gives an intimate feeling. The owners have found that the unique table design makes it easier to chat as a family at teatime. Made from repurposed wooden boards, it gives a homely feeling.

The living area

Counteracting the dark units, the polished concrete floor is inset with pebbles (around 20 a bag from garden centres). The couple added white and green pebbles to the mix for brightness and depth.

The brown of the L-shaped velvet sofa complements the colour of the concrete flooring and was carefully chosen for its family friendly function. A large gallery wall sits behind it, adding heaps of personality to the space. Framing all pictures in the same way has helped bring them together as a set. The owners tried adding some black frames but they felt it looked too mismatched.

The hallway

The ash shingle cladding on the wall of the double-height white hallway is ultra-practical. It not only keeps the family warm in winter, but they have discovered that it also prevents lots of marks and sticky finger prints!

The children's bedrooms

Both of the kids' bedrooms are packed with colour and texture. Highlights of yellow on textiles dotted around this bedroom are anchored by the bright yellow bedstead.

The other bedroom is space themed with a hanging rocket. The children have double beds so that when their parents read to them, there's space for everyone to relax on the bed.

The bathroom

In the bathroom, the brass fixtures soften the black and pink combination. The owners were very against using chrome fixtures so they chose brass instead. They also added a wooden stool for warmth. Adding old items like this in new spaces has given the small bathroom an immediate lived-in feel.

The guest room

The flowered bed throw, a vintage fabric, was salvaged from the owner's grandma’s linens. The black bed frame and pale walls in Ammonite by Farrow & Ball could feel cold without the warming, sunshine effect of the yellow bench, cushion and towels.

Focus on Yakisugi: Charred Timber Cladding

The owners opted for Yakisugi cladding on the exterior of their remodelled 1960s family home. Here, we explain what it is and why it might be a great choice for your home.

What is Yakisugi?
It’s a traditional Japanese method of charring timber, which results in a black carbon layer on the boards. Torching timber in this way makes it fire resistant.

It's low maintenance

It also protects the timber and reduces its need for maintenance because it becomes water and insect resistant and can stand up to extreme climate changes. It’s not only popular in Japan for housing and fencing, but also around the world, as it ages slowly – lasting up to 80 years with proper care – so the initial outlay is considered an investment, given its long lifespan.

It needs oiling

Being correctly installed prevents moisture build up and oiling it every five to 10 years blocks UV rays and provides water resistance. Surprisingly, freezing and thawing does not affect Yakisugi, and although cold and heat can sometimes lead to warping, this is unlikely in UK temperatures.

Additional words: Victoria Jenkins

The coronavirus lockdown saw our favourite pubs shutting their doors, with many of us getting creative at home with cocktails, and free-poured G&T’s one man took his creativity a step further and brought the pub into his own garden ideas. The lockdown project cost him just £802, with many items sourced for free from Facebook marketplace.

Thomas Sherratt, 31 from Stoke-on-Trent told Ideal Home that he had the idea for his very own backyard bar just over a year ago, in the UK’s first lockdown.

Tiki-inspired garden pub

‘With my wife being pregnant and the pubs being shut I needed to do something,’ the dad-of-two said of the unique garden shed idea. ‘We had been talking about doing a home bar but never went through with it.’

Thomas said he came across tiki bars online, thought they ‘looked cool’ and set out to build one of his own. ‘I collected loads of things from reclamation yards to closing down pubs, to skips and Facebook marketplace,’ the electrician said.

Most of the material was salvaged by Thomas for free, including 27 wooden pallets destined for the skip which he used for the bar’s walls and roof (the ultimate pallet idea for a garden); a free double fridge from a restaurant closure, a free log burner and fire bricks from Facebook Marketplace, and a free beer cooler from a bar closing down. 

In progress

He sourced items at a budget price too, including a corrugated roof from a farm (£30), wooden cladding from Facebook Marketplace for £50; and a large table (£60), bar optics (£90), bar signs (£10) and beer glasses (£20) from a pub closure.

‘We started on a piece of the garden that was just a blank canvas of hardwood,’ he added. The project took Thomas eight weeks to build, and he learned how to do it along the way by watching Youtube videos and using forums. ‘I loved every minute of it,’ he said. ‘The best part was when the bar was put in.

The finished result

‘We have pumps on the go and we have loads of beers from lagers to craft beers, as well as spirits,’ he told us. ‘We also do take passion in keeping it local and getting a load from local breweries and distilleries,’

The Tiki Junglebar has a thatched roof, working bar taps, neon signs, and is complete with trailing plants, free tiki masks from Facebook Marketplace and a living wall made from wooden pallets. It even has multiple signposts with names of different bars, pubs and breweries from around the world, pointing in the direction of his own favourite drinking spots.

‘We only offer invites as we are not a proper pub but when we do it’s a great time, whether it’s [watching] the football or rugby, or we decide to have a film night in the bar, every occasion is just as good,’ he said.

Thomas documented his journey on his Instagram page (@the_tiki_junglebar), amassing over 9,000 followers - and he has since entered The Tiki Junglebar into this year’s Cuprinol Shed of the Year contest.

‘We have entered into this year’s Shed of the Year competition, so any votes would be a massive help,’ he added. ‘We would love to win and have the award showing in the bar!’

When the eventual owners found this three bed end-of-terrace house in an attractive part of east London after months of looking, not even the prospect of a significant overhaul put them off.

They were attracted by the property’s mid-Victorian proportions, generous garden and the tranquillity of the street. The owners also knew they could turn it into a contemporary haven, while still respecting its 1860s roots.

The extension

 ‘We looked at about 20 houses before this one, across north and east London, but none felt inspiring,' say the owners. 'This was wider than average, on a quiet street yet right in the heart of Dalston, with its urban buzz. It had plenty of potential: we liked the split levels on the first floor, and the original features in the living room.'

'But we wanted to reimagine the ground floor. Eight One Two Architects came on board early on; our brief was to create a contemporary rear space where we could entertain and connect with the garden. We wanted to retain the Victorian features of the front living room and the main bedroom, update the bathroom and find space for a utility. Ultimately, we wanted to create a ‘modern-Victorian’ home.'

The living room

In the renovations, the dividing wall between the original living and dining rooms was removed. They reconfigured the space to enlarge the proportions of the living room.

Here, the fireplace was refurbished for cosy evenings,

The living room storage

Adding a sliding door enables sleek concealed storage or full display, depending on the mood. Extra storage and a drinks bar can be concealed behind the dark wood panel.

The living room details

The couple added bespoke shutters, a dado and picture rail, plus an ornate ceiling rose, to elevate this space. A green sofa ideas and yellow accessories add a vital colour pop.

Adding a simple but bold silhouette like, with this pendant light, is an effective way to update a period scheme

The open-plan space

‘The space has transformed the way we live,' say the owners. 'The kitchen and snug are where we congregate with friends and cook. Then the living room, with its stove and dark-blue walls, is the place we hunker down in winter.'

The snug

The rear was extended outwards and into the side return to accommodate an open-plan kitchen-diner and snug area, which has a bespoke DJ table and wall-mounted speakers.

This informal snug features a smart monochrome palette. ‘We wanted to retain a simple feel that didn’t compete with nature,’ say the owners.

Metal-framed bi-folds with a corner opening allow for maximum connection to the outdoors.

The kitchen-diner

The building was extended to the side to incorporate a generous island with a sleek, contemporary finish that houses a fridge, sink, dishwasher, storage and bookshelf.

Thoughtful touches make the space sing. A quartz surface in Calacatta Gold by Planet Marble cascades over each side of the island for maximum impact. Interior design studio Kemsi also used black kitchen joinery with a light-wood finish on the inside of cupboards for a dramatic, contemporary feel.

Blue velvet bar stools add a vibrant pop, providing a visual link to the walls of the blue living room.

The cabinetry

The new space incorporates a deep picture window, lined with the same wood used for the inset kitchen cabinetry. Framed in black metal, looking out to the garden, this creates a simple but strong statement.

It is complemented by the bi-fold corner door that opens fully to the outside from the snug, plus a narrow floor- length window by the sofa. 

The bathroom

The bathroom was transformed with a black and white bathroom scheme and a new skylight. Details, such as the sleek handles from Buster and Punch, provided crucial finishing touches.

The guest bedroom

A modern marbled effect on the feature wall introduces drama to this scheme.

The master bedroom

Kemsi designed simple bespoke floating dressing tables either side of the fireplace, which was sourced to complement the age of the building. Simple beading on the wall either side of the bed creates a panelled effect, adding depth to this moody space.

Additional words: Emma J Page

So many Victorian terraced houses tend to be dark and cramped in size. But with careful planning and expert advice, a dull and dingy Victorian terraced house can be transformed with flat roof glazing into a light, bright and spacious space.

This four-bedroomed Victorian house in southeast London is a perfect example of such a transformation. With a tired, ugly extension on the rear, untouched for four decades, the house was in dire need of a complete renovation. The homeowners enlisted the help of Gruff Architects to lead the top-to bottom interventions, including a new kitchen extension idea, that turned this dated terrace into a modern home.

Victorian terraced house transformed with flat roof glazing

Here, Emily Burnett at Gruff Architects explains her company's involvement in how this Victorian terraced house has been transformed with flat roof glazing, helped in renovating this now bright and spacious home.

The team at Gruff Architects made it an essential to address how natural light would filter through the entire space. The team tackled this challenge by making the new back wall almost fully glazed so that light permeates from the back to the front of the property. As a result, the symmetry within the space helps create a good balance within the new zone and between the old and the new.

‘We began by taking the house back to brick and added a loft and side return extension idea,’ explains Emily. 'Wherever possible, we designed the framework for the rooflights to be hidden. This gave it a simplified look which focused on the glazing detail and the view beyond.’

The property's new extensions have been finished using Marley Eternit Equitone Linea fibre cement cladding. This smart cladding is made from sand, cement and cellulose fibres - it's extremely weatherproof, low maintenance and easy to apply.

With an improved connection to the main house, the garden is a peaceful retreat. It also provides an attractive link between the new home outbuilding at the rear of the garden and the existing house. This results in a low maintenance space that offers the owners another area to enjoy during the warmer months.

A new kitchen extension transformed with flat roof glazing

Part of the transformation includes a new kitchen extension. This features kitchen units, flooring and joinery running on from each other all the way into the garden. This makes the plan look like it extends all the way into the outdoor space. A visual indoor-outdoor feeling has been created with the room appearing deeper as you enter it. This, in turn, invites you to walk through and explore further and solves the problem of how to make the small kitchen look bigger.

‘The key to the interiors,' explains Emily, 'was to keep the material palette to five elements: the glazing, timber, white and grey with a few pink accents. These key design elements run throughout the house to pull the spaces together as one.'

'They will act as the backdrop, continues Emily, 'with the owners artwork and added furnishings that go into the house over the years. Any additional space was designed using an element of glazing, so it could be read as a new addition to the original Victorian property.'

The kitchen details

The kitchen design takes advantage of the space available with the use of full height units that offer maximum storage. This new zone is animated by the ever-changing daylight that floods in, transforming the colour of the cabinets throughout the day.

Meanwhile, the integrated cut-out handles on the bespoke door fronts and drawers help maintain the clean aesthetic. New fixed glazing provides the space with much-needed natural task lighting. A trio of pendants above the central island provide task lighting for practical activities, including food prep.

A handy kitchen island

The new central island offers up the perfect place for friends and family to gather around and share meals. It also provides much needed bespoke storage space.

The neutral pastel tone pairs well with the oak floorboards that help reflect natural light around the room. This makes the kitchen a pleasant place to be in throughout the day. A worktop made from Dekton is both practical and low maintenance, which was especially important for the owners.

Smart new glazing lets the light in

The inclusion of thermally broken aluminium window profiles is one of the clever grey kitchen ideas that help reflect the extension’s overall neutral palette. Their design includes a low, multifunctional window ledge. This provides the homeowners with the ideal space for growing plants and herbs as it receives direct sunlight. It can also double up as a small window seat from which to enjoy the garden views.

The elegant dining area

The dining area, complete with banquette seating, provides an opportunity for the couple to have guests and family over without feeling cramped. Plus it opens up to offer additional storage, too.

The oak table and chairs mirror the use of materials introduced for the joinery within the new space. Overhead, a smart row of smoked glass pendent lights have been installed to help create a relaxing atmosphere for evening meals.

The bespoke desk/study area

One of two home office storage ideas have been incorporated into the renovated property. A practical desk area has been carved out of the walkway between the two spaces using bespoke joinery and the same timber as the rooflight. Designed with integrated shelving, this has provided much needed practical storage. By lining up the desk to project out as far as the kitchen cabinets, this results in creating a completely linear finish to the transitional space, while still remaining entirely separate zones.

Old and new meet at this junction - the new timber adds warmth to the space and will age over time to add to the character of the extension. The slot rooflight delineates the new infill from the original property. In what used to be the back of the house, natural light now diffuses through new fixed roof glazing overhead.

The garden studio

At the end of the garden, the garden room offers additional space for the owners to work from. The aim of this new office space is to keep work and home completely separate. To echo the main building, it too has been finished in Marley Eternit Equitone Linea fibre cement cladding.

Before: the ugly extension

Architect Emily Burnett shares her top tips and ideas on flat roof glazing

• Pitch is important with glazed flat roofs. A minimum pitch of 5° is essential.
• They let more light in. If you install a rooflight over a window opening, a room will benefit from at least 30% more daylight.
• There are a variety of options to choose from. You can choose to install a fixed or openable roof window, many openable rooflights are available as electric with remote control and sensors to automatically close if it starts to rain.
• Bear in mind they can get hot in the summertime. Be sure to plan in integrated shading to prevent overheating in south-facing rooms.
• Think about how you will clean them. Professional window cleaners have equipment up to about 8-9m high, beyond that you will need to think about maintenance access adjacent to the glazing.

Original feature by Ifeoluwa Adedeji 

It's not uncommon to find a classic property that has been split into two or more flats by property developers. But what if you want to turn them back into one? Similarly, transforming a space that has had the original features stripped out and returning it to its former glory can also be a labour of love.

That's exactly the problem that homeowners James and Jonna Dempsey found themselves with their classic Georgian villa in Edinburgh, and it turned out the addition of an extension with wrap-around outdoor staircase would solve all of their design woes.

This is all thanks to the fact that the couple enlisted the help of architect Neil Taylor, founder of Tap Architects to help them bring their dream home that had been split into two separate flats back together.

After: Extension with wrap-around outdoor staircase

‘After meeting with the homeowners,' recalls Neil, 'we came up with the idea of a building an extension - a single-storey with a roof terrace. We also decided on an external stair that would wrap around the extension into the garden. Steps were also added to the garden patio to connect the lower ground level with the sunken courtyard.'

'When assessing the house,' says Neil, 'we could see the remnants of a half round stair tower that had once existed on the back so we followed the same form and geometry for the new extension as the owners wanted to be sensitive to the Georgian buildings in this part of Edinburgh.'

'With a listed or period property, it's important to allow a lot of time for discussion with your architect and ensure you’ve ticked off all of your requirements.'

The extension's interior

Adding light to the rear of the property was of great importance to the couple so the addition of a picture window to the extension has allowed extra light to flood into the space while offering gorgeous views over the lush garden.

While the extension reunited the two separate properties, the couple didn't stop there. They also switched the layout inside to make it the space flow better for their family.

'An extensive renovation was undertaken inside to move the bedrooms downstairs and living areas into the upstairs rooms. The effect is totally transformative for the feel of light in the home and connection to the garden.’

The unusual curved shape of the lobby is complemented by the couple's minimal decor. The space also acts as a handy boot room idea, giving an almost theatrical look to the space.

An added extra - the roof terrace

The rendered extension, with its wrap-around staircase, also acts as a stylish roof terrace for the family to enjoy, year round. The new curved staircase reinstates direct access to the garden as well as being an elegant and modern design statement.

 Before: the Georgian villa split into two flats

Neil Taylor, founder of Tap Architects shares his advice on what you need to know about external stairs

• Before you buy, ensure your desired staircase will comply with building regulations.
• Base your design around who will be using the staircase. Backless stairs look cool but might not be suitable for everyone.
• Size and shape of the staircase should be dilated by the space. This design matches the property’s period style.
• Think about drainage before choosing the materials and design, especially if it’s not attached to a mezzanine 5or roof terrace with a drainage system.
• Use of materials should be guided by the age of the building. Steel can feel modern, light and airy, while a more solid look may suit a modern traditional design.

Original feature by Hayley Spencer

Laura and Mitchell's previous home had been a spic and span-new build, so a dilapidated Victorian terrace that needed a lot of work was a big undertaking.

The house had been left empty for nine months and had an overgrown garden, nicotine-stained walls and a damp problem that required immediate attention. The couple had dreams of opening up faux walls and finding original fireplaces or dreamy tiles. Instead, they found crumbling concrete and a lot of bodge jobs.

Their Victorian dream needed plenty of work, but room by room...

Living Room

The couple were keen on a monochrome scheme, and have incorporated this throughout the house, with pops of colour to add warmth and personality. They started in the living room, painting the walls a 50/50 split of black and white.

‘It took me months to persuade Mitch to paint the bottom half of the walls black,' says Laura. 'But I think it was definitely worth the wait and we both love it now.’

Hallway

‘The hallway was so dark when we moved in. I couldn’t wait to paint it a fresh, bright white – and added polka dot stickers, of course. I have a real affinity for polka dots!' says Laura. ‘I won the May Rose Vintage Uma Thurman cushion in a competition on Instagram and she goes seamlessly with our living room.’

Kitchen

Next they started work in the kitchen, which was old, tiny and a bit dingy. 'We knocked down walls to create a longer and brighter galley kitchen idea, with plenty of light flooding in. This IKEA kitchen was exactly what we were looking for and I fell in love with the faux marble worktops.'

'We decided to go for open shelving instead of upper units as it makes the space feel bigger and saved money. It’s also a great excuse to buy new accessories and houseplants!'

Dining Room

Next on their list was to have the dining room replastered. 'Once the dust quite literally settled, it became clear that we needed to replace all the floors – so we fitted new flooring throughout the downstairs ourselves to keep costs down. It was back-breaking work, but so rewarding at the end.'

'I painted the hallway wall with tiny black dots which makes a lovely frame for the dining room as you enter.'

Bathroom

They then ripped out the bathroom and continued with the monochrome palette for its replacement. The couple got professionals in to finish the job, to ensure a really polished professional finish, before adding greenery and accessories.

‘House plants bring a real sense of nature and can make a room feel so relaxing. The tiger print towel from H&M Home emphasises the jungle vibes in here too,’  says Laura. Speaking of the bathroom plant idea she adds,‘I mix and match real and faux house plants in our bathroom as not all of the real ones survive!’

Bedroom

We refreshed our bedroom, going from a dark botanical wallpaper to a calming mural from Rebel Walls. We also put down a super-soft carpet after years of having exposed floorboards – something Mitch was very excited to see the back of.

Conservatory

'With all the money saved in lockdown we’ve been able to complete all the rooms, including the conservatory, which, to no one’s surprise I painted black, to compliment the monochrome aesthetic.'

'It really connects the space to the house now and is a lovely spot to have breakfast in. I think we’ve found our niche of monochrome interiors with splashes of colour. You can see more of my style @lifeatthegreyhouse.' 

This week, Changing Rooms took us to Fareham as Laurence LB, Russell and Jordan gave two tired and rooms a bright and bold makeover. The 2LG interior designers transformed a drab living room belonging to hi-fi loving Keith and partner Kath, with a modern take on cottagecore.

One striking design feature was the use of lime green colour-banding around the room. As living room paint ideas go, zingy green is very brave - so was it a stroke of genius or totally bonkers?

Before

This was one of the best transformations we've seen so far. Previously, the living room was having a bit of an identity crisis, with shiny wallpaper, lots of black furniture sucking up light, and a decorative skull.

Russell and Jordan's vintage armchairs, tongue and groove wall and green-tiled fireplace are all ticking our boxes. And the citrus on the walls? It helps to ground the space, making the room feel more fun and cosy come evening, compared to plain white.

Ideal Home Digital Editor Tamara Kelly liked the concept, but wasn't so sure about the choice of carpet. 'I loved the idea of painting the lower half of the room to draw the eye down, in effect pushing the ceiling away to make the room feel bigger,' says Tamara.

'Including the door into the paint effect was genius, making it disappear into the wall. For me, the colour was too bright - not rich enough to ground the overall look.

'But ultimately it was the flooring that let it down. The lime walls made the carpet look dirty and sludgy. It just didn't deliver, when it had so much promise.'

Perhaps a rich navy could have worked better, following on with the same colour on the wood panelling. Given that we tend to spend time in the living room in the evenings when the room is under electric light, darker paints can be a really cool feature.

News Editor Rebecca Knight points out that the colour-banding is a brilliant option for anyone decorating on a budget. 'I like the painting on the bottom half of the wall idea, and how the drinks cart has been blended into it.

'I mean, it's a smart way to skimp on paint/wallpaper costs. However, the curtains have really torn me - I can't quite decide if carrying the colour onto them is brilliant or a step too far,' says Rebecca.

We can't call it - love the idea, maybe just in a slightly softer hue.

Last night's episode of Changing Rooms, saw 2LG Studio’s Russell and Jordan transform a neglected dining room into a modern cocktail bar.

As ever, there were some eyebrow-raising design features including a blue paint splattered wall which is dividing the internet. So, is it a brilliant or bonkers paint idea?

The interior designers called their design manifesto 'Back to the Futurism,' combining modern features with vintage elements, like the gramophone unit. Previously, the room was totally lacking in oomph - now, it's a multifunctional lounge bar that makes a statement.

Russell and Jordan used Brass Buckle Dulux paint on and wood panelling on the walls, with a bold splash of Honest Indigo to zone the seating area.

Dulux Creative Director Marianne says that Brass Buckle has a wonderful, heritage quality to it, making it perfect for this retro-inspired brief. It might not be to everyone's taste, but the clients loved the whole thing.

The big reveal had happy tears and homeowners Tom and Richard were astounded by the transformation, commenting that the splatter effect paint was their favourite thing.

However, the Ideal Home team were less convinced and had a lot to say about that paint-splattered blue wall...

Brilliant or bonkers?

'While I love a bit of colour-blocking, this just looks like I dropped a can of paint and tried to cover it up with some seating,' says Ideal Home Editor Heather Young.

'Although it's totally bonkers, I think it's good that it distracts from the cube feeling of that room, with every surface being the same camel colour,' comments Digital Editor Tamara Kelly. 'I think the 'rum & coke' paint effect was worse!'

News Editor Rebecca Knight isn't sold on the paint splatter effect either. 'I like the colour combination and the idea of blocking out the seating in a colour,' she says.

'But I think this is might have been better suited to a kids' bedroom idea,' Rebecca adds. 'It's got very early noughties CBBC/Dick and Dom in da Bungalow vibes.'

Senior Digital Editor Jenny McFarlane comments that it could look very Jackson Pollock in a more modern setting. Maybe the look would be more at home in a fancy hotel lobby or bar, rather than a standard dining room...

We're not convinced by this one, but can't wait to see what they come up with next.

The couple who own this house bought it in 2018 as a renovation project. There were two basic bedrooms in the loft, but they knew such a big, bright space would make a wonderful master suite. They loved the idea of a hideaway at the top of the house and had a clear vision for a luxurious, spa-like ensuite makeover where they could listen to music, read a book or just take it easy.

Take a look at this inspirational bathroom idea before your start work on your own attic bathroom makeover or renovation.

Before and after: attic bathroom makeover

The room has been totally transformed, from a dark dingy loft space into a spa-style luxury ensuite attic bathroom idea.

Tucked away at the top of the house, this spacious ensuite bathroom, with inbuilt spa, is a peaceful go-to place for when the owner wants to rest and recharge.

The owners worked with XUL Architecture on the layout of the ensuite.  They were keen to include a steam room, and seating as well as a large, comfortable bath, twin basins and a separate shower. They gradually built up the look, starting with the patterned, encaustic cement floor tiles. Leafy green pot plans add colour and texture.

Original features

The room is really light, and the sloping ceiling creates a cosy corner for the rattan daybed, which is a favourite spot for reading.  The couple kept the original Victorian fireplace as it’s a pretty feature and adds to the comfy, nest-like feel.

The room decor features encaustic cement floor tiles and resin stone wash basins and bespoke wallpaper from Rutters.

Steam room

The steam room works by means of a simple, built-in steam generator from Helo, and it’s fantastic for relaxation. The bathroom tile idea on the walls and the glass screen are really understated.

There’s a bench and a speaker inside, making it easy to relax and switch off with audio books or a podcast in there. The sloping ceilings formed a good spot at one end for the steam room, with the shower opposite.

Bespoke bathroom wallpaper

The dramatic outsize wallpaper design was taken from some botanical prints the couple have in their kitchen. They were made into a bespoke design by Rutters to create the statement bathroom wallpaper idea.

Concealed door

There was a lot of structural work in creating the concealed doorway from the bedroom, and in reinforcing the bathroom floor, as the tiles were very heavy. From the bedroom, the bathroom door is carefully concealed in the run of wardrobes, so there’s an element of surprise when the door is opened and the ensuite bathroom is revealed.

The owners love the glamour of this private, hidden ensuite bathroom space.

Dressing table

The pale wood dressing table gets a lot of use. It’s very compact and sits neatly in the first part of the room with the bath and basins. The steam room and shower are in their own separate zone beyond, accessorised by a contemporary curly radiator and high standing plant pot.

After a 25-year hiatus, Changing Rooms is back tonight – and we could not be more excited. The reboot will be kicking off this evening with resident interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen at the helm, with Anna Richardson hosting.

Channel 4, in partnership with Dulux, is remaking the legendary ‘90s and ‘00s home-DIY s series. Giving it a fresh lick of paint for the new generation of 'pinspiration' and 'insta-interiors'.

There will be some new faces - with two new designers Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead of 2LG Studio, and carpenter and joiner Tibby Singh. Davina McCall was originally announced as the presenter, but due to a scheduling conflict, she had to drop out.

Changing Rooms – the return

So what can we expect from the new series? Well, if one thing is clear from the trailer, we should get ready for a whole lot of colour. Minimalists look away now, we expect our Wednesday nights to be filled with pattern, imagination and maybe a little drama to rival Linda Barker's teapot incident.

We've already been teased with the sneak peek below where Laurence LB persuades Lisa and Kirsty to go bold with flamingo and peacock paint. We're sure with the interior design legend back on board, the new Changing Rooms is going to be is epic. Bring. It. On.

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is heralding a colour revolution. 'There’s no room for beige in our homes,' he says. 'Just as it was in the 90s, Changing Rooms is once more the homestyle antidote to Britain’s blues (and greys and taupes, and even Magnolia).

'It’s taken quite a lot of coaxing to get me under the Changing Rooms banner once more,' he explains. 'But nothing like as much coaxing as it’s going to take for me to squeeze those leather trousers back on.'

In the same format as before, Changing Rooms sees two sets of homeowners, from the same neighbourhood, work against the clock to renovate a room in each other’s houses. They are completely in charge of revamping the chosen room – and anything goes.

This was always the beauty of the show, when individual tastes clashed – shocks are in store! Aside from the drama, the show was always packed full of design and DIY hints and tips, and still very much will be.

The news series promises to teach us how to renovate on a budget by reimagining unloved or outdated corners of our homes. The homeowners will be making all the decisions about the makeovers, and as a nation of interiors and style obsessives, expectations are higher than ever.

In true Changing Rooms style, the transformations will be spectacular, innovative and, quite possibly, unexpected. 'The nation has got its decorating mojo back. Which makes it the perfect time for Changing Rooms to return to TV' says Dulux's creative director Marianne Shillingford.

'It will inspire a new generation to discover the power of colour, to get creative and improve the spaces they live and work in,' she says.

The six-part series starts tonight, Wednesday 18th August at 8pm on Channel 4.

*sets planner to record every episode