'We transformed our problem house into a home with family space' – this all-in project took 14 months to complete but the finished result was worth it
This awkward house with no social space and cold rooms is now a gorgeous family home
WHO LIVES HERE?
Laura and her husband Bill, and two adult children.
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
For a similar light try the Industrial long strip pendant light, 100cm, £55, Amazon. For bar stools like these check out the Shea counter height barstool in black velvet, £69, Dunelm.
'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.'
For a similar worktop and backsplash try the Omega sleek Minos stone square edge laminate kitchen worktop by B&Q, £219.99 for 300 x 62cm.
Kitchen diner
For a similar stoneware style vase have a look at the Cedar & Sage Awaroa stone-effect vase from Dunelm, from £40.
'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.
For a similar table try the Fulton trestle 6-seater rectangular dining table, £289, , with the Melia set of 2 dining chairs, £229, both Dunelm.
'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
Copy the light with Lisbeth easy-to-fit ceiling shade in white, £90, John Lewis. Get cosy with the single pelt sheepskin rug, £35, Dunelm.
'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.'
Keep your logs in this Highlands rustic large round brown linen wicker basket, £17.99, B&Q. For a similar shelving unit try the Cube wide shelving unit in black, £115, Argos.
'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
For a similar wall colour check out London Clay by Farrow & Ball. Copy the blanket with this cable knit organic cotton throw, £80, John Lewis.
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
For a similar paint try Lick's Pink 08 matt emulsion £39 for 2.5ltr, B&Q Copy the wall lights with Dunelm's Ashwell traditional bathroom wall light, £40.
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
Farrow & Ball's Studio Green paint is a similar colour. Keep your privacy with D-C-Fix Ally static cling window film, £15, Argos.
The shower room is dark and dramatic with colour drenching in a dark green that's striking against the white sanitaryware.
For similar tiles have a look at Top Ceramics green metro brick mosaic tiles in high gloss finish, £9.89 for 28.2 x 29.2cm, B&Q.
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
Add a bolt of bright colour with this velvet cushion that has a textured pattern.
Laura sourced artisanal style bowls and objects for her new spaces, copy her look with this ceramic organic shaped bowl.
These porcelain tiles are hardwearing and mimic real marble. They are also durable enough for high traffic areas.
'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!'
