“Rethink the floor plan to maximise space”

the floor plan

This is quite a difficult floor plan to fix without spending too much money. However, the cramped kitchen is a big priority, especially as Max has already started to dismantle it. The laundry is large and there’s wasted space leading to the back door, so I’d remove the laundry and second toilet, and then push the kitchen over to the western side and add a combined laundry and butler’s pantry at the far end. As Lauren would like to keep a second toilet, it might be possible to incorporate a new WC. On the back wall of the kitchen, I would suggest a new servery window and breakfast bar, and then add sliding or bi-fold doors between the dining area and kitchen to improve access to the deck.

the living space

Lauren is frustrated at not being able to see Sebastien in the living room from the kitchen and also by the limited space to entertain. Relocating the kitchen will enable the wall between the existing kitchen and living area to be removed, which will create more dining space as well as improve movement throughout. I would suggest using furniture to help delineate between the living and dining room; an L-shaped sofa with two armchairs would work well here, which could then be orientated towards the television without severing all-important circulation space. Lauren also mentioned painting the walls white to lighten the room, but I think the grey is lovely and contrasts with the beautiful white art-deco ceilings. If they wanted to freshen it up, Dulux White Duck Half has less blue tones.

the bathroom

The current bathroom is too big so I’d set it back and create a storage cupboard where the existing tiny shower is and create a new private entry to both the bathroom and middle bedroom. I’d then place the shower over the bath. Even though this is a period house, I wouldn’t use traditional fittings because they tend to be ornate with lots of nooks and crevices that collect dirt. Replacing the dirty skylight with a glass version, which I’d situate over the bath, would really lighten this room up. I’d stick to a sophisticated palette of white, black and grey and I always recommend dark tiles on the floor, unless you want to see every speck of hair and dust.

the flooring

I’d level all the flooring inside the house. Particularly the current back hall and laundry area, which are a half-step down from the kitchen, creating a trip hazard. Making the deck flush with the floors inside will improve the flow between indoors and out. Sanding the floorboards and staining them a darker colour to hide the gaps between boards – while adding new ones where the kitchen was – will really make the house sing, not to mention being cheaper than a full replacement.