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Houzz Tour: A Dated Extension is Tweaked to Create More Space
Before and afters show how a replacement extension and new layout preserved period character while adding modern style
The maxim ‘less is more’ is often used to warn against filling a room with furniture or packing surfaces with accessories. For this turn-of-the-century terraced house, the adage instead proved true of the size of the property. Architect Richard Skinner of Archea replaced an old extension with a smaller one, which – confoundingly – made more room (scroll to the end to see the floorplans). “Space wasn’t required, but making space was,” he says.
As with many homes of this era – late Victorian/early Edwardian – the house had been added to as ways of living changed. The result was a utility room at the back that severed the living space from the garden. The original configuration of separate reception rooms also felt dated. The key was to make the whole ground floor flow better by creating an open-plan kitchen-diner that linked to the outside space, and knocking the reception rooms into one.
As with many homes of this era – late Victorian/early Edwardian – the house had been added to as ways of living changed. The result was a utility room at the back that severed the living space from the garden. The original configuration of separate reception rooms also felt dated. The key was to make the whole ground floor flow better by creating an open-plan kitchen-diner that linked to the outside space, and knocking the reception rooms into one.
Unlike many period homes, the property retained attractive period features, including in this front reception room. “The house was in brilliant condition in terms of its Victorian-ness,” Skinner says, “apart from the uPVC windows and horrible extension.”
Find an architect on Houzz today.
Find an architect on Houzz today.
The homeowners wanted to retain a fireplace in the living area, but it was given a modern makeover. “We like to keep traditional Victorian elements where they’re good, and add the contemporary in a complementary way,” Skinner says.
A wood-burning stove was a must-have for the homeowners, and the architect sourced a design that’s modern but with a retro twist to set the tone for the space.
A wood-burning stove was a must-have for the homeowners, and the architect sourced a design that’s modern but with a retro twist to set the tone for the space.
Built-in shelving for the through room was designed in conjunction with the homeowner and the builder, and is used to display the owners’ 1980s pieces. “It’s playful and contemporary,” says Skinner.
Timber parquet flooring was laid in here, as well as in the hallway. Skinner chose it because adjustments to make it fit aren’t obvious. “It’s more forgiving than boards in small and awkward spaces and with walls that aren’t parallel or square,” he says. “You don’t question the cuts.”
Timber parquet flooring was laid in here, as well as in the hallway. Skinner chose it because adjustments to make it fit aren’t obvious. “It’s more forgiving than boards in small and awkward spaces and with walls that aren’t parallel or square,” he says. “You don’t question the cuts.”
The back part of the living room is less formal than the front and includes desk space (seen in the previous photo) as well as seating. With the two rooms knocked together, light from the patio now reaches the front of the space.
Originally, two separate doorways led from the hallway to the front and back reception rooms. Now, the one at the front has been blocked off and this rear one has been retained.
As far as the owners know, this door is original to the house, which – having been built between 1891 and 1901 – was just on the cusp of the Edwardian era. This may explain the not-obviously-Victorian style. It’s been given a 1980s-inspired hit of pink.
As far as the owners know, this door is original to the house, which – having been built between 1891 and 1901 – was just on the cusp of the Edwardian era. This may explain the not-obviously-Victorian style. It’s been given a 1980s-inspired hit of pink.
The old dining room overlooked the long side return of the house through the bay window. The former kitchen can be seen beyond it: the two rooms were separate.
A brand-new kitchen was created in the space where the dining room used to be. The units are from Ikea, but the doors – in a grey wood fibre material called Valchromat, which comes impregnated with colour rather than coated with a veneer – were sourced elsewhere to give it an individual finish.
“The units are really practical in terms of the modules and fittings you can put inside them,” Skinner says.
The worksurfaces are Corian. “It’s typically the tap, sink and worktop we recommend people spend money on,” says Skinner. In white, the solid surface contrasts with the grey unit doors, and it wraps around the island as well as forming the worktop.
The same grey porcelain tiles have been used for the flooring in the kitchen-diner as for the garden patio. “The owners were really keen on an inside-outside flow of flooring material,” the architect says.
Valchromat unit doors, James Latham. Bluestone vintage porcelain tiles, Refin.
“The units are really practical in terms of the modules and fittings you can put inside them,” Skinner says.
The worksurfaces are Corian. “It’s typically the tap, sink and worktop we recommend people spend money on,” says Skinner. In white, the solid surface contrasts with the grey unit doors, and it wraps around the island as well as forming the worktop.
The same grey porcelain tiles have been used for the flooring in the kitchen-diner as for the garden patio. “The owners were really keen on an inside-outside flow of flooring material,” the architect says.
Valchromat unit doors, James Latham. Bluestone vintage porcelain tiles, Refin.
The kitchen bay window and the old patio doors from the back reception room can be seen in this ‘before’ photo of the side return.
A yellow radiator was positioned in the kitchen’s bay window, creating a burst of sunshine where there isn’t much of a view. The radiators throughout the house were replaced with colourful and characterful designs.
Roma radiator, Apollo Radiators. Normann Copenhagen Amp small pendant lights, Made in Design.
Roma radiator, Apollo Radiators. Normann Copenhagen Amp small pendant lights, Made in Design.
A wide extractor fan was needed because of the size of the induction hob, so the builder adapted the wall unit with a shallower shelf to accommodate the ducting.
The kitchen and dining room are now one through space, but as the owners like to entertain, Skinner was keen to give the areas a sense of separation. “The idea is that you’re not still sitting in the kitchen,” he says.
Bar stools, Cox & Cox.
Bar stools, Cox & Cox.
More Valchromat, in the form of blue panelling, distinguishes the dining area from the kitchen. “It’s a reference to Victorian panelling, which would normally stop at a picture rail or dado,” Skinner says. Here, it lines the room on one wall and runs across the ceiling to strengthen the separation.
Valchromat panelling, James Latham. Recessed downlights, Aurora. Hay Copenhague CPH25 round table, Utility. Loft Zigzag floor lamp, available at Made In Design. Agnes medium shelving, SCP.
Valchromat panelling, James Latham. Recessed downlights, Aurora. Hay Copenhague CPH25 round table, Utility. Loft Zigzag floor lamp, available at Made In Design. Agnes medium shelving, SCP.
Skinner recommended both the panelling and the colour. “It’s a lovely material and kind of leathery,” he says of the engineered, coloured wood, whose fibres are impregnated with organic dyes and chemically bonded by specifically developed resins.
Roma radiator, Apollo Radiators.
Roma radiator, Apollo Radiators.
The old utility room extension cut the house off from the garden.
The new extension has an angled opening that focuses the view down the garden. Although its internal space is approximately half of that provided by the old extension (the new addition begins from the point where the bifold door is positioned), the effect is to make the ground floor far more spacious.
The roof of the extension projects outwards, covering some of the external area and allowing the bifold door to be opened in a wider range of weathers than would be the case otherwise.
Bifold door, IDSystems.
The roof of the extension projects outwards, covering some of the external area and allowing the bifold door to be opened in a wider range of weathers than would be the case otherwise.
Bifold door, IDSystems.
The extension is subtly contemporary, with brick piers that link it to the original house. It’s clad in maintenance-free zinc. “It’s a practical system and looks modest,” Skinner says.
The blue panelling from inside the room is continued on the underside of the overhanging roof.
The dining table and chairs can simply be moved outside onto the patio when the weather’s good enough for alfresco dining, avoiding the need to fill up the space with extra furniture.
Quartz zinc cladding, VMZinc.
The blue panelling from inside the room is continued on the underside of the overhanging roof.
The dining table and chairs can simply be moved outside onto the patio when the weather’s good enough for alfresco dining, avoiding the need to fill up the space with extra furniture.
Quartz zinc cladding, VMZinc.
The garden before the project wasn’t the entertaining space the owners were after.
Artificial grass was laid in the garden, which, like real lawn, allows rainwater to drain through it. “They’d have loved to have had a [grass] lawn if it looked after itself!” Skinner says. The budget didn’t extend to replacing the shed, as the couple would have liked, so instead it was stained in the same colour as the new fencing.
At the rear of the space is a simple deck designed so the owners can host small parties. The timber wraps up to create a bench for seating, and power was put into the shed so they can play music.
At the rear of the space is a simple deck designed so the owners can host small parties. The timber wraps up to create a bench for seating, and power was put into the shed so they can play music.
The hallway didn’t have much personality before the improvements
Revamped with new parquet flooring, a radiator in a zingy shade and graphic coat hooks, the space now has bags of style.
Roma radiator, Apollo Radiators.
Roma radiator, Apollo Radiators.
Stealing a little space from the kitchen – by moving a wall back on one side of the doorway to the hall – allowed a cloakroom to be fitted under the stairs. Hexagonal mosaic floor tiles were laid in the compact space. “Like the wood parquet, they add texture and grip, but are easy to cut to fit,” Skinner explains.
Sanitaryware, Park Street Bathrooms. Hexagonal mosaic tiles, Walls and Floors.
Sanitaryware, Park Street Bathrooms. Hexagonal mosaic tiles, Walls and Floors.
The daughter’s room features bold colours against a simple white backdrop, echoing the look of the rest of the house.
Original floorboards were left exposed in the guest bedroom, and the vibrant 1980s colour palette is continued in furniture and soft furnishings.
Aerial pendant light, Habitat.
Aerial pendant light, Habitat.
The sanitaryware in the bathroom was replaced with new fittings in the same arrangement to bring the room up to date without major cost. Darker tiles for the shower area and splashback are a fuss-free contrast to the white of the walls and suite, while the owners chose the graphic pattern they love for the flooring.
Sanitaryware, Park Street Bathrooms. Cement tiles, Mosaic del Sur.
Sanitaryware, Park Street Bathrooms. Cement tiles, Mosaic del Sur.
The before (top) and after (bottom) floorplans of the ground floor.
The plan drawing for the kitchen, left, and dining area, right.
Tell us…
What do you think of this updated Victorian home? Let us know in the Comments.
Tell us…
What do you think of this updated Victorian home? Let us know in the Comments.
Who lives here A couple and their daughter, plus their dog
Location Nunhead, southeast London
Property A Victorian mid-terrace house
Size Three bedrooms and one bathroom
Architect Richard Skinner of Archea
Photos by Mai-ling Leung
Two rooms became one as the front and second reception rooms were knocked through. The walls throughout the house were left white, with injections of colour standing out against the clean backdrop. “One of the owners is a graphic designer and has a strong and defined taste,” says Skinner. “They’re very 1980s colours.”
The floor lamp is a vintage design from a midcentury modern sale.
Classic vintage oak parquet, Broadleaf. Landskrona sofa; Landskrona armchair, both Ikea.