designed for living
A spacious side extension gave a garden flat in north London a new lease of life
When Sam and John’s daughter, Grace, grew into a lively toddler, the couple realised that their flat was too small for a family of three. So they went in search of a more spacious home.
‘We wanted to buy a house in the same north London neighbourhood,’ says Sam. ‘However, even though our flat had increased in value, the next step up was proving prohibitively expensive. We realised we had to approach house hunting in a more creative fashion.
‘As John is an architect and I’m an interior designer, we decided to combine our skills to create a bespoke home.’ ‘With this in mind, we began looking for anything with potential to build that was reasonably priced. We drove round looking for disused land, and then went knocking on doors trying to find the owners.
‘In the end, we found this flat in a neighbouring area on the internet. It had been on the market for four months without a single offer. On viewing, we could see why. The front door opened directly into a dark and pokey corridor, which gave access to all the rooms, and the kitchen was in a lean-to. It felt disconnected and awkward, but it had
real potential, especially as there was room at the side for an extension.’
That evening, the couple sketched out a layout on a napkin. ‘ Within the existing building we’d retain the original sitting room and create a new kitchen, master bedroom and en suite,’ says Sam. ‘A side extension would give us an entrance hall, plus two additional bedrooms and a bathroom. ‘We emailed John’s plans to the estate agent, along with our offer, which was accepted.’
As their own property sold quickly, the couple had to find a place to live while the building work was being carried out. Luckily, they were able to rent their old flat from the person who bought it. ‘ We could only stay there for six months,’ explains Sam, ‘so it was important that the project began on schedule. But, until we got planning permission, we couldn’t even dig the foundations. Fortunately, consent came through on time and work started on the extension. It was constructed using bricks from the existing lean-to kitchen, supplemented with reclaimed stock, and then we added a sedum roof.
Just four months later, the family moved into their new home, pleased that their meticulous planning had paid off. ‘When we designed the layout, our
priority was to establish natural flow throughout and maximise storage and light,’ says Sam. ‘And that’s exactly what we’ve achieved, especially with the concealed floor-to-ceiling units within the extension and the compact utility area in the hall. Even with a tight budget we were still able to include such luxuries as remote-controlled roof lights, oak parquet flooring and bespoke joinery.’
Sam’s distinctive interiors add a defining flourish. A former fashion and home furnishings designer, her talent for marrying sumptuous textiles, bold colours and quirky details enhance the architectural flow established by John’s structural design. From the clever brass furniture on cupboard doors to statement lighting and retro furnishings, old and new have been blended together with an elegant and sophisticated touch.
The entrance to the property is now at the rear of the building, in the new extension, and is accessed through the landscaped back garden. ‘Walking up the path and stepping through our own front door makes the flat feel more like a house,’ says Sam. ‘And that’s just what we envisioned. I’m so glad John and I decided to think outside the box, because it means we’ve ended up with the home we always wanted.’