North Road / Into the garden
For the second phase of the work at this Victorian cottage in Reigate, as both architect and owner, we took time to work out the best way to make the most of every inch of the house and garden. We knew what needed to change and the challenge lay in making the biggest impact without breaking the bank.When we moved into the house, the rooms were dark and cramped; the dining room was a walkthrough space to reach a narrow galley kitchen and the family bathroom was at the back of the house on the ground floor. The best view of the south-facing garden was from the loo – something needed to change.
The project has been featured in Homebuilding & Renovating magazine, Surrey Homes magazine, Wealden Times magazine and on website ‘These Three Rooms’.
DETAILS
Location: Reigate, Surrey
Project type: Extension / refurbishment / remodelling / interior design / kitchen design
COLLABORATORS
Photography: Still Moving London / Ralph James
Videography: Still Moving London / Ralph James
Contractor: Sixmile Construction
Location: Reigate, Surrey
Project type: Extension / refurbishment / remodelling / interior design / kitchen design
COLLABORATORS
Photography: Still Moving London / Ralph James
Videography: Still Moving London / Ralph James
Contractor: Sixmile Construction
We set about replacing the incongruous 1980s additions with sensitively-designed side and rear extensions which are almost completely hidden from view at the front of the house. From the upstairs windows the sedum planted roof of the extension appears as a garden – blink, and the previous collection of chaotic roof forms has been replaced with a carbon-capturing green oasis.
The new kitchen and dining room is a generous, bright space with a full-height framed view of the garden. There’s a feeling of spaciousness for family gatherings in contrast to the cosy, smaller rooms of the original cottage. A new bathroom has been creatively fitted into a narrow side extension at first floor so as not to reduce the size of the bedrooms. Albeit unconventionally proportioned, the room is a joyful surprise; there’s a sense a of spaciousness, luxury and calm.
All in all we’ve increased the footprint of the cottage by over 50% of its original size but, most importantly, it’s changed our lives so much for the better – job done, or is it?
The new kitchen and dining room is a generous, bright space with a full-height framed view of the garden. There’s a feeling of spaciousness for family gatherings in contrast to the cosy, smaller rooms of the original cottage. A new bathroom has been creatively fitted into a narrow side extension at first floor so as not to reduce the size of the bedrooms. Albeit unconventionally proportioned, the room is a joyful surprise; there’s a sense a of spaciousness, luxury and calm.
All in all we’ve increased the footprint of the cottage by over 50% of its original size but, most importantly, it’s changed our lives so much for the better – job done, or is it?
