This project is about the modernisation of a grand 1930’s house to make it suitable for the current owner’s. The owners have a family with four children, both parents work and they all lead a lifestyle very different to that which the building was originally designed for.


The finishes and interiors of the house were in desperate need of updating and the kitchen was very dark. None of the rooms had a good visual connection to the garden. The existing kitchen was located on the north side of the. The kitchen was connected to extensive utility room spaces. There was nowhere to eat in the kitchen and a long walk to the dining space. The ground floor living spaces did not work well.
 

The project involved the reorganising and the interior design of all the ground floor spaces of the house, a rear extension and the refurbishment of the first floor bedrooms. The creation of the small extension at the middle of the rear façade facilitated the creation of a connecting space that links all the major ground floor rooms. This connecting space spans the entire length of the rear of the house and is 27m long. It provides long views within the house and a strong connection between the interiors and the garden. This linking space is completed visually at one end by the bespoke fish tank within the kitchen and at the other end by the baby grand piano with the adjacent colour changing light box.

The house now works for the lifestyle of the owners to support their large family ( 4 children) and works for entertaining. The moving screens add versatility to the way the rooms can be used.

Gallery

  • The relocation of the library (built out of oak joinery) to the sunny west facing room.

    The relocation of the library (built out of oak joinery) to the sunny west facing room.

  • Connection between spaces is created with the linking space and generally all doors are full height allowing for connection between rooms.

    Connection between spaces is created with the linking space and generally all doors are full height allowing for connection between rooms.

  • The relocation of the (leather clad) television room to the north face of the building.

    The relocation of the (leather clad) television room to the north face of the building.

  • The hall is separated from the living space by a sliding ‘Japanese’ style screen that allows for the spaces to be combined or distinct.

    The hall is separated from the living space by a sliding ‘Japanese’ style screen that allows for the spaces to be combined or distinct.

  • The creation of a separate but linked dining and drawing room for entertaining.

    The creation of a separate but linked dining and drawing room for entertaining.

  • A decent size kitchen suitable for family living and entertaining.

    A decent size kitchen suitable for family living and entertaining.