Houzz Tour: A Clever Extension Adds Bags of Room to a 1920s Home
An ample extension allowed this property to be completely transformed into a spacious family home
When Jacey and Julian Topham contacted Veronica Congdon of VC Design Architectural Services to ask her to advise on the renovation of their house, they’d already secured Planning Permission for an extension. However, Congdon believed she could get them even more space, and drew up plans for a double-storey extension to the boundary and side extension.
The plan was successful, and the new permission meant they could divide the big back bedroom into two equal-sized children’s rooms and position the family bathroom in the middle of the house. “We also put sliding doors between the front room to the hallway, which brought more light into the stairwell,” Congdon says.
The plan was successful, and the new permission meant they could divide the big back bedroom into two equal-sized children’s rooms and position the family bathroom in the middle of the house. “We also put sliding doors between the front room to the hallway, which brought more light into the stairwell,” Congdon says.
The patio doors lead out to a stone patio and barbecue area, which is constructed from black-painted rendered block and timber.
At the rear of the garden is a studio building (seen in previous photo). “We had to take the electrical cables down to this building,” says Congdon. “The artificial grass is good for concealing them, and is also more serviceable in a shaded area.”
At the rear of the garden is a studio building (seen in previous photo). “We had to take the electrical cables down to this building,” says Congdon. “The artificial grass is good for concealing them, and is also more serviceable in a shaded area.”
Sleek, modern kitchen units run along one wall, with a fridge-freezer to the left, ovens on the right and a sink in-between. A marble splashback adds subtle interest to the white cabinetry.
“The hob is on the island, with an extractor above,” Congdon says. “We didn’t want to put the sink on the island, as dirty dishes can look untidy.”
Kitchen units, bulthaup by Kitchen Architecture.
“The hob is on the island, with an extractor above,” Congdon says. “We didn’t want to put the sink on the island, as dirty dishes can look untidy.”
Kitchen units, bulthaup by Kitchen Architecture.
The dark grey island contrasts with the pale wood breakfast bar beside it. “By using different materials and heights, it separates the prep space from the eating area,” says Congdon. “It avoids the chef putting anything but serving dishes on the breakfast bar while he or she is cooking.”
A door in the corner leads to a utility room, where there’s a spare fridge-freezer and other utilities. “This room used to be up half a level. It’s a much easier space to use now,” says the designer.
More modern white kitchens to covet
A door in the corner leads to a utility room, where there’s a spare fridge-freezer and other utilities. “This room used to be up half a level. It’s a much easier space to use now,” says the designer.
More modern white kitchens to covet
The owners, together with Kitchen Architecture, decided not to fit kitchen units on to the back wall, as they thought it would bring the cook space too far into the room. “The vintage mirror from France is now a real feature on that back wall,” says Congdon.
The lighting in this room consists of spotlights, a feature pendant on dimmers, and under-cupboard lights.
Eames DSW chairs, available at The Conran Shop.
The lighting in this room consists of spotlights, a feature pendant on dimmers, and under-cupboard lights.
Eames DSW chairs, available at The Conran Shop.
A rooflight runs along the full length of the space and separates the original house from the new addition.
An industrial-style sliding door, with exposed track, provides a screen that closes off the kitchen from the children’s study area.
Sliding door, Plain English.
Sliding door, Plain English.
This narrow study room used to be the kitchen and had a pitched roof. This was replaced by a flat roof with a rooflight. Planning consent was obtained to extend it out by 2m.
A floating shelf is fitted to the side wall to provide desks and plug sockets for three computers. Congdon says, “The design gives the children flexibility to slide their chairs up to each other when they’re playing a game.”
Each area has an angled lamp above it, while a panel of blackboard paint lines the base of the wall.
A floating shelf is fitted to the side wall to provide desks and plug sockets for three computers. Congdon says, “The design gives the children flexibility to slide their chairs up to each other when they’re playing a game.”
Each area has an angled lamp above it, while a panel of blackboard paint lines the base of the wall.
A picture window provides a pleasant view of the garden and a little reading corner for the children. A frame of 40cm-deep cupboards surrounds the window and gives the impression that the glass protrudes into the garden.
Two sides of the inner frame are natural oak, while the other two have been painted white. Congdon explains, “The L-shaped seat invites you to lounge from the right-hand side and benefit from the best view of the garden.”
Two sides of the inner frame are natural oak, while the other two have been painted white. Congdon explains, “The L-shaped seat invites you to lounge from the right-hand side and benefit from the best view of the garden.”
A cosy, grey-walled living room centres on a wood-burning stove. The original fireplace surround was removed, as a clear wall suited the energy-efficient wood-burner better.
The building team fitted underfloor heating throughout the ground floor and covered it with oak parquet. “The owners chose parquet because the timber is durable and we like the look. The space was wide enough to accommodate herringbone.”
The room gained masses of light from a new sliding, glazed door to the hallway.
Wooden sideboard, The Shed Interiors.
The building team fitted underfloor heating throughout the ground floor and covered it with oak parquet. “The owners chose parquet because the timber is durable and we like the look. The space was wide enough to accommodate herringbone.”
The room gained masses of light from a new sliding, glazed door to the hallway.
Wooden sideboard, The Shed Interiors.
The upstairs family bathroom is at the back of the house. “An en suite crept into the room from the adjoining bedroom,” Congdon says. “We pulled this back and changed the layout to work with the extra space.”
Discover how to create a statement bathroom in a small space
Discover how to create a statement bathroom in a small space
The adjacent bedroom has practical bunk beds and plenty of storage.
A walk-in shower contains a generous shower rose, with controls on the side for ease of use.
Grey melamine cupboards provide neat storage at the foot of the bath.
The owners wanted the children’s bedrooms to be of equal size. This one has a pretty bird dado and a hammock in the corner.
Oak floorboards have been used throughout the first storey.
Oak floorboards have been used throughout the first storey.
The en suite contains another walk-in shower and a bath. Twin basins sit on a Corian slab.
At the front of the house is another bedroom with a cot, bed and en suite.
This image shows the rear of the property before the renovation.
A ground-level floor plan illustrates the new footprint of the house. An almost 5m-deep extension to the rear created a long study/playroom next to the large kitchen-diner. The utility room, which was previously cramped into a mezzanine above the garage, was repositioned in the converted garage, conveniently off the kitchen. A new understairs cloakroom was also added.
The first floor was reconfigured to turn it into a more usable space. An en suite and dressing room was added to the front bedroom, and the family bathroom was moved into what was previously a small study.
What do you think of this spacious family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
What do you think of this spacious family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here Jacey Topham, who runs furniture business The Shed Interiors, her husband, Julian, and their four children
Location Barnes, southwest London
Property Detached 1920s house
Size 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a cloakroom
Designer Veronica Congdon of VC Design Architectural Services
Photos by Chris Snook
The large rear and side extension has given the family a light and open kitchen and dining space with a full view of the garden.
“The space is designed to give the owners flexibility,” says Congdon. “They can move the dining table to the area next to the kitchen if they like.”