Kier and Paul Rhodes spent months searching for a bigger house – until they realised the answer was right there in front of them
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Kier and Paul were set to move, until they realised extending would solve their problems
There’s always a question to be faced if you find yourself in a home that is no longer fit for purpose – should you move or improve? A house move might seem like the most obvious solution if you’ve outgrown your current property, but making changes to the one you’re in – whether that’s a loft conversion, rear extension or an ambitious two-storey addition – could save you time and money.
That was certainly the case for Kier and Paul Rhodes. While their three-bedroom home felt more than big enough at first, when sons Harry and Jacob came along, the space seemed to shrink and the house no longer met their needs. The family were all set to move, but eventually decided to make a project of their current property instead. The addition of a wrap-around extension has given them a spacious open plan livingkitchen, two more bedrooms and another bathroom. We spoke to
Kier to find out how they did it.
A large patio becomes an outdoor room in the summer to make the most of the south-facing garden. By extending to the rear and side of the house, the Rhodes increased the living space by almost a third.
Garden table, The Table Guy. Sofa, Kettler. Pot plants, Walkers Nurseries
BEFORE
The light, open-plan kitchendining-living space is where the Rhodes family spend most of their time. ‘The original layout of the house was quite clumsy,’ says Kier. ‘The extension and redesign has totally transformed it.’
Kitchen units, Häcker, supplied by Taylorscot Kitchens. Floor, Stokes
Tiles. Stools, Coach House.
Stag’s head, antique shop find. Frames, Ikea. Prints, custom made by Love My Print
There is plenty of seating for Kier, Paul and the boys to sit, eat and work together in the new space.
Light fittings over island, Ebay. Tap, Quooker. Walls
painted in All White, Farrow
& Ball. Sofa, Sofology.
Throw, Cotswold Company. For a similar table, try the Bayron, Made
Kier and Paul chose glass-fronted wall cupboards and an integrated fridge to break up the units and make sure the kitchen area was practical without being clinical.
Worktops, Dekton. Fridge, Liebherr. Oven, steam oven and coffee machine, Bosch
The redesigned kitchen area includes a utility and an office space tucked into the corner. Bi-fold doors with windows above draw masses of light into the multipurpose room.
Bi-fold doors, Integra Window Systems