LIGHT AND SPACIOUS
Alex Hart, an interior designer, extended the Edwardian home she shares with husband James and their children, Max and Ada, to create an open-plan living space
‘The lady who lived here before had kept lots of the original features, but she hadn’t changed the layout. We lived here for six months before moving to my parents’ around the corner, which allowed me to be on site every day to project manage.
‘We’d knocked through a few of the walls in our old flat and I wanted to create that open-plan feeling here. The house is on a hill and there was decking outside the kitchen with stairs leading down to the garden. I wanted to extend out at ground level so we could access the garden directly from the house, which meant bridging the 1.5m gap between the existing kitchen and the garden level. We ended up with a light, spacious, almost double-height extension.
‘The biggest challenge was making the extension blend in with the original character of the house. We sourced original old English stock bricks for the exterior and reclaimed pine flooring to match that in the original part of the house. We had coving and architraves made to match the original mouldings, but we also have contemporary touches: a black kitchen and black fixtures and fittings, for example. I think it’s a nice balance of old and new.
‘The functionality of the space was key. We toyed with the idea of putting the kitchen in the extension, but worried that whoever was cooking would be separate from the rest of the family and constantly running up and down the stairs. Instead we’ve kept it in its original position at the centre of the house, so I can be part of the action and keep an eye on the kids when they’re downstairs in what is currently the playroom, though it will evolve into a lounge space when they’re older. You feel connected throughout, and the layout is great for entertaining.'
COSTS & CONTACTS
Project cost £150,000
Design Canham & Hart,
07763 627918, canhamandhart.com
OUT THE BACK
If you don’t have a side return or want a more dramatic transformation, consider a rear extension. Restrictions apply and you’ll need to consider how much of your garden you’re willing to lose, but it can be a great way to open out the back of the house and introduce light into dark middle rooms. Make the addition seamless by using materials that complement the existing property – best for areas with stricter regulations – or go for a contemporary style for a striking contrast. Look at neighbouring properties to ascertain what you might realistically get away with.
RENOVATION RESTRICTIONS
If you own an older house, it may be protected by restrictions that limit the work you can do. Listed properties need Listed Building Consent for most alterations; even painting with plastic paint or using gypsum plaster is unauthorised. Homes in Conservation Areas also have protected status. This usually affects exterior work – like changing windows or extending – but your PD rights will also be affected, so you may need planning consent for other work. Whatever your home's status, you’ll also need to comply with building regulations and Party Wall Agreements. Consult an architect if you're unsure.
GET ENERGY EFFICIENT Many period homes will have poor energy efficiency that needs to be addressed for environmental and practical reasons. A quarter of heat in uninsulated houses is lost through the roof, so ensure the loft has sufficient insulation, but address any leaks, damp problems or structural issues in the roof beforehand. You may also want to insulate your floor. Solid floors in particular are tricky to insulate without being removed, but you could layer with a breathable floor covering like coir. If you’re replacing the floor, consider installing underfloor heating, too.