“Knock down the extension and start again”

the floor plan

As Lis is keen not to lose any of the backyard, they’ve considered building a second storey. But this may be over budget and there’s plenty they can do within the existing footprint. I’d build a new extension to complement the original house, only extending out beyond the original floor plan by a metre. I’d reorient the kitchen along the back wall with a butler’s pantry and laundry at one end and build in a bench seat with storage along the adjacent wall as part of the dining area. This would create room for an informal living area on the left. The roof line and internal ceiling levels would be designed to improve the sense of space and facilitate passive heating and cooling. I’d suggest a solid floor such as concrete that would act as a thermal mass for the sun to heat up in winter.

the bathroom

There’s wasted space outside the bathroom, so I’d extend the family bathroom into that area, with full-height cupboards at the entry. As this is the only bathroom for a family of four, a second would be a bonus. I’d put an ensuite next door, taking space from the existing bathroom and the side courtyard, creating a master suite. This will extend the long, fairly dark hallway, but I’d use artwork or lighting to create interest, and install skylights.

furniture

Lis’ mother gave her a lot of vintage wooden furniture, but she’d like to know how to incorporate it so they don’t feel as if they are living in an antique shop. I like a house that has an eclectic mix of older and newer furniture, but Lis shouldn’t be afraid to get rid of some of it and just keep the pieces she loves. An option might be to repurpose a couple of items as vanities in the bathroom and ensuite. The family eats outside a lot, so here I’d go for a thin steel table on casters, which could be tiled on top to create a unique piece. I’d team it with chairs with a bit of transparency to them so you almost look through them from the living area. And perhaps I’d extend the internal bench seat outside to create a daybed.

material selection

As Lis wants to lighten up the house, I’d suggest painting the walls white: a favourite of mine is Dulux Fair Bianca Half. I’d keep things simple and pick a couple of materials and use them throughout to create a cohesive look. I’d opt for natural materials such as concrete, wood and brick. In the kitchen, I’d go for white cabinetry but incorporate a timber shelf in the same wood as Lis’ furniture to tie it all together. If you go for brick tiles on the floor of the new extension, they could be continued up the side of the kitchen bench with something like white Caesarstone on top. It’s all about being creative with the few materials chosen that will ultimately create a unique home for Lis and her family.