Roof extension, internal and external re-modelling, interior design and full refurbishment of a Victorian house in South Hackney.
The client bought a 2-bedroom Victorian House and wanted to transform it into a 4-bedroom home for their young family to grow into. This included extending upwards, creating a brighter kitchen/ dining space, and improving connectivity to the living area and garden.
Works were carried out in phases over a 3 year period, starting with the interior overhaul in September 2019, followed closely by the roof extension; fit-out of the new rooms in the roof took place from March 2020, with the kitchen installation from md-2020 to January 2021; finally, the garden was executed in Summer 2021.
A number of improvements were made and the house was refurbished entirely including all new electrical wiring, plumbing and lighting, security and new heritage windows throughout. We designed a roof extension, and obtained what was a strategically challenging planning approval. This added a large master wing with an ensuite shower, and another smaller bedroom. On the first floor the bathroom was moved from the larger garden-facing room into a middle room, and a laundry was incorporated. The front-facing bedroom was refurbished and a large storage wall added. On the ground floor, an opening was made between the living and kitchen/ dining area, and the roof of the kitchen was replaced to give more light to the kitchen and living room – a toilet was added under the stair and a cloak room adjacent to the entrance.
The interior scheme retained original features such as skirtings, mouldings, architraves and panelled doors, balanced with a simple palette of materials and colours, clever storage and light interventions. Render and modern coverings removed from some surfaces revealed layers of history that have been preserved and are now part of the design, giving the space warmth, patina and a lived-in feel. The overall impression is homely and inviting.
A bespoke painted oak kitchen with bronze detailing takes it cues from Georgian and Victorian joinery, with a one-off sink by Darwen terracotta, an integrated bespoke bench, oak table, exposed vaulted timber ceiling and limestone floor.
Conceived as an outdoor room, the garden includes an outdoor dining area with integrated storage benches and cupboard, all made from bespoke cedar wood slats, with a floor in herringbone brick and furniture by Hay (Palissade, by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec). Interconnecting circles outline an organic-shaped lawn, forming various beds, planted by garden designer Janet Gibson.
A series of specially commissioned leaded, stained glass artworks by Christopher Beeching were installed in the front door as the final finishing touch to this family home at the end of 2021.
Further photographs to be uploaded in due course, the garden and kitchen photographs are from Summer 2022.
