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Room of the Week: A Clever Angled Extension on a Georgian Terrace
Making the most of an awkwardly shaped garden, this beautiful extension combines angles and abundant natural light
“This was a ‘don’t move, improve’ sort of project,” says Joe Stewart, the architect behind this light-filled extension on a north London terrace. The owners – a family of four – were keen to rationalise the ground floor and take advantage of the good light levels and garden access at the rear of the property.
They worked with Stewart to create a more logical arrangement. “We planned out all the internal space to get the most out of the extension,” he says. “The whole of the ground floor was reconfigured.”
They worked with Stewart to create a more logical arrangement. “We planned out all the internal space to get the most out of the extension,” he says. “The whole of the ground floor was reconfigured.”
“It was an illogical layout,” says Stewart. “The idea with the new design was to gain space and bring light into the dark centre of the house.”
The garden wall is visible through these double doors. “The garden is a weird shape,” says Stewart. “We couldn’t extend any further back on this side because there’s a boundary wall quite close in.”
The garden is larger on the other side, so it was possible to extend further into it there to create the kitchen. “The shape of the extension is a little bit different,” says Stewart. “There are two angles, but that means you get light from two different directions. Light was a big deal, as it was so dark at the back of the house before.”
The garden is larger on the other side, so it was possible to extend further into it there to create the kitchen. “The shape of the extension is a little bit different,” says Stewart. “There are two angles, but that means you get light from two different directions. Light was a big deal, as it was so dark at the back of the house before.”
The original house wall ended roughly where the fridge, seen on the right, is now. The new extension provides more space but, as already mentioned, it is unusually shaped.
“We tried lots of different ideas to find the best way to organise it,” says Stewart. “The family loves to eat together and also liked the idea of the living room being in the centre of the space, as it’s a little darker and cosier there.”
Check out this complete guide to managing your kitchen renovation
“We tried lots of different ideas to find the best way to organise it,” says Stewart. “The family loves to eat together and also liked the idea of the living room being in the centre of the space, as it’s a little darker and cosier there.”
Check out this complete guide to managing your kitchen renovation
“We did look at wrapping the kitchen around more and continuing it to where the dining room doors are now,” says Stewart, “but I think the configuration we settled on is the best use of the space.”
The extension provides a huge amount of additional space and the finished ground floor is a big improvement on the dark and poky series of rooms here before. “A friend of the owners called round once it was done and nearly walked out again,” says Stewart. “He thought he had the wrong home. It’s so different now!”
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The extension provides a huge amount of additional space and the finished ground floor is a big improvement on the dark and poky series of rooms here before. “A friend of the owners called round once it was done and nearly walked out again,” says Stewart. “He thought he had the wrong home. It’s so different now!”
Browse 9 design tips to transform your home from so-so to sought after
The dining space has double doors leading off it to a small courtyard area. “It’s a sort of morning coffee space,” says Stewart.
Solid wood double-glazed doors, Timber Windows of Hampstead & Highgate.
Solid wood double-glazed doors, Timber Windows of Hampstead & Highgate.
The owners knew they wanted a comfy corner sofa for family film watching, so the design had to take this piece into consideration.
Cloud sofa, Loaf.
Cloud sofa, Loaf.
Including a generous dining space was central to the design of the extension. “The owners love being able to sit down together as a family and share a meal,” says Stewart.
Grey Bastide cupboard, Fired Earth.
Grey Bastide cupboard, Fired Earth.
The butcher’s block can pull out, so there’s space to build an island or peninsula here in future if needed. “There are double doors off the kitchen, too, which are always open,” adds Stewart.
The family also loves to cook, with everybody involved, so the double-aisled design of the kitchen suits their needs.
“The owners were really taken with Fired Earth’s kitchens, so they bought most of their pieces there,” says Stewart.
Bastide freestanding cabinets painted in Bamiyan Blue and Bone White; Caesarstone Misty Carrara worktop; wall tiles; all Fired Earth.
Bastide freestanding cabinets painted in Bamiyan Blue and Bone White; Caesarstone Misty Carrara worktop; wall tiles; all Fired Earth.
The ceiling above the dining table is slightly higher than in the living room. “We wanted the ceilings to be as high as possible,” says Stewart, “but there’s a bathroom over the sitting area, so we couldn’t change the ceiling height in there. Once we pushed out beyond the bathroom above, we could then increase the ceiling height.”
Pendant lights, Heal’s. Sink and tap, Fired Earth.
Pendant lights, Heal’s. Sink and tap, Fired Earth.
A wood-burning stove was always a priority for the owners. “They have it lit all the time in winter,” says Stewart. The fire surround is installed on an angled section of wall.
Fireplace and surround, Chesney’s. Sofa, Loaf.
Fireplace and surround, Chesney’s. Sofa, Loaf.
“Between the TV and corner is where originally there was a fireplace,” he says. “We boxed it in and recessed the TV into part of it, too.”
A roof window pulls additional natural light into this part of the room, which sits in the centre of the house.
Rooflight, Velux.
A roof window pulls additional natural light into this part of the room, which sits in the centre of the house.
Rooflight, Velux.
Pale oak boards and walls painted in a warm, off-white unite the space.
Engineered oak boards, Ecora. Walls painted in Slipper Satin, Farrow & Ball. Sink and tap, Fired Earth. Range, Rangemaster.
What do you think of this extension and the inventive use of space? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Engineered oak boards, Ecora. Walls painted in Slipper Satin, Farrow & Ball. Sink and tap, Fired Earth. Range, Rangemaster.
What do you think of this extension and the inventive use of space? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A young family of four
Location North London
Property A terraced Georgian home
Size 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom plus 1 cloakroom
Designer Joe Stewart of Yellow Door Architecture & Design
The living room was originally at the front of the house, then off that was a bedroom used by the owners’ son, then there was a poky kitchen right at the back.