Houzz Tour: A Side-return Extension Brightens a Victorian Flat
By extending to the full width of the house, a family gained space and light in their ground-floor flat
When Alex Depledge and her family moved into their Victorian home, they needed just a little more space to make the property work for them. A glazed side-return extension provided the most efficient and beautiful solution, but first they had to deal with a rather awkward feature…
“Alex wanted a little more space to have two decent-sized bedrooms, and to incorporate a study for when she and her husband work from home,” Rich says. “She was also keen to make it a bit different, with nice architectural features, such as the exposed bricks and beams.”
“We used glass all the way along the roof to bring in lots of light, and the aluminium frames are powder-coated to give them an industrial feel,” Rich says. “We used reclaimed brick from the original side wall to create the rustic-looking exposed surfaces.”
The flooring was chosen by Laura Simpson, who was the interior designer on this project. “It’s actually an affordable luxury vinyl that gives an authentic wood look,” she says. “If you opt for this brand, we recommend you also use the ‘strips’ that go in-between each plank for an even more authentic look.”
Flooring, Polyflor.
Find industrial-style bookcases in the Houzz Shop.
The flooring was chosen by Laura Simpson, who was the interior designer on this project. “It’s actually an affordable luxury vinyl that gives an authentic wood look,” she says. “If you opt for this brand, we recommend you also use the ‘strips’ that go in-between each plank for an even more authentic look.”
Flooring, Polyflor.
Find industrial-style bookcases in the Houzz Shop.
The floorplan shows the new layout. A study has been slotted in to the right of the living space (not pictured).
The team kept the structural wall and chimney breast in the centre of the broken-plan room, as it provides an attractive feature.
“Initially, we’d proposed having the kitchen in this space,” Rich says. “However, it would have been too tight, so we located it behind the chimney breast wall instead.”
The side-return extension ties the two areas together, and maintains the feeling of light and flow. You can also access the kitchen and this dining area from the hallway.
“Initially, we’d proposed having the kitchen in this space,” Rich says. “However, it would have been too tight, so we located it behind the chimney breast wall instead.”
The side-return extension ties the two areas together, and maintains the feeling of light and flow. You can also access the kitchen and this dining area from the hallway.
At the far end of the side return extension, the architects kept a courtyard area, which brings even more light into the space.
“On the other side is a bedroom, and the courtyard allows that room to have an outlook,” Rich says.
“On the other side is a bedroom, and the courtyard allows that room to have an outlook,” Rich says.
The chimney breast on one side and the bathroom wall on the other helped determine the kitchen’s layout. “The fireplace wall is used for storage, while the other side has more room for the sink, ovens and fridge,” Rich says. “The services were all in place at this side, too, because of the adjacent bathroom.”
At the other end is a sliding pocket fire door that leads to the hallway. The couple tend to keep this open to let in even more light.
Find local professionals to help with your renovation on Houzz.
Find local professionals to help with your renovation on Houzz.
“The dark units were chosen to add drama to the space by contrasting against the brickwork,” Laura says. “White worktops help to keep the space feeling light, and further offset the dark units.
“Alex wanted a stylish kitchen, but on an affordable budget,” she adds. “One of our top tips is to opt for more affordable carcasses and door fronts, and then to splash out on a good-quality worktop. This is because it’s a large surface area and is what people see and use the most.”
Kitchen units, Ikea.
“Alex wanted a stylish kitchen, but on an affordable budget,” she adds. “One of our top tips is to opt for more affordable carcasses and door fronts, and then to splash out on a good-quality worktop. This is because it’s a large surface area and is what people see and use the most.”
Kitchen units, Ikea.
Glass-fronted cabinets either side of the fireplace are ideal for storing crockery and glassware.
The bathroom is located behind the kitchen and has elements of the rustic-industrial style seen in the living space. “We used brick slips on the back wall and a large wooden vanity unit to bring in a rustic feel,” Laura says.
Sanitaryware, Victorian Plumbing. Vanity unit, Etsy.
Sanitaryware, Victorian Plumbing. Vanity unit, Etsy.
The bathroom is accessed from the hallway. “We retained this original door and fitted it here,” Rich says.
“We chose plain white metro tiles,” Laura says, “but we asked the tiler to lay them in a herringbone pattern to give a more interesting and stylish look.”
Tiles, Topps Tiles.
Tiles, Topps Tiles.
The light-filled master bedroom is at the front of the flat. “We left the original flooring in here, as the boards were still in good condition,” Laura says.
“We used reclaimed wood panelling behind the bed to give it some rustic charm,” she says. “It adds a statement feature and brings in further warmth to the room. We combined it with other tactile materials to complete the look.”
The children share the second bedroom, which looks out on the courtyard. “It’s necessary to have a window in a bedroom for planning, as there needs to be an outlook,” Rich explains, “so the courtyard was vital.”
The beds are laid out either side of a Victorian fireplace, and a built-in wardrobe provides useful storage.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite feature in this light-filled Victorian flat? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite feature in this light-filled Victorian flat? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? Architectural firm Resi’s CEO, Alex Depledge, with her husband and two children
Location Southwest London
Property A Victorian ground-floor flat
Size Two bedrooms and one bathroom
Architect Rich Morgan, design director of Resi
Interior designer Laura Simpson of My Bespoke Room
Photos by Leanne Dixon
Before any work could start on the refurbishment of this Victorian property, a solution needed to be found to a particular problem.
“There was an external staircase at the back that led from the garden to the neighbour’s flat upstairs,” architect Rich Morgan says. “To be able to extend her flat, Alex negotiated with her neighbours to buy the staircase area off them. She could then use the space as part of her own flat.”
The architects set about designing a pitched-roof side-return extension that opens up the room and brings in plenty of natural light. A new spiral stairwell was built in the space to the right of the bifold doors so the neighbours could still access their garden.