well you certainly got my grey matter working on a sunday morning- i'm currently redesigning my own and a family members kitchen so have been full swing in this thought process for some time! I live in UK too so know how difficult it is to work in these spaces- (is the kitchen on side of house? is there garden space behind the cooker/hob wall?) Two questions though are necessary: 1 ) What are dimensions of room? (I'm guessing about 18ft long, by 9ft wide -measuring to the window sill- excluding the 1ft outer wall depth) 2 ) What is your budget? Enough to only stretch to replacing kitchen units? or a whole remodel- moving gas pipe/sink position etc. Are you keeping the floor? I've attached two room designs that I think would work well (assuming you have 9-10ft width to play with). Both I think will give a better flow to the room, and allow you to add the wow factor. Think about how you want to use the space not just the aesthetic look. The first design swaps the layout, and the second- you can have the sink and hob in the island. The best way to keep costs down would be to spend money on the island/kitchen cabinetry and granite/concrete worktop- but use full height MODULAR wall cabinet shelving (any joiner could do, or buy standard shelves/open cabinetry from ikea or affordable places like this)- to keep costs down and open shelving would suit your industrial style too. Interestingly you mention its a 1930s house- are there art deco features in your house? Both industrial and art deco styles have things in common- monochrome colour palette, reflective surfaces (mirrors/stainless steel), architectural elements (strong straight lines/grids- consider crittal windows?? perfect for both designs) and grey would suit both. If you want more industrial style- consider exposed brickwork also. If you can't afford bifold doors- consider French doors and full height window panels either side to give the same effect On reflection- I realise Jo DP and I seem to be on similar lines of thought! Hope these pictures help :) and please send us pictures once you're done. Good luck! [houzz=https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/7-austin-terrace-transitional-kitchen-dallas-phvw-vp~7487236] [houzz=] [houzz=] [houzz=] [houzz=] [houzz=] [houzz=]

I have always bought wrecks - I love renovating: and I completely agree with overpaying for a new renovation that is rubbish and soulless: I won't even view a house that has obviously been done up by one of the many "property developers" that infest London. I can cope with anything (have rectified asbestos, removed wood chip, put back period features and replaced everything from roof to digging up a floor to install underfloor heating in the past), but my absolute nos: dodgy neighbours/road, lack of off-street parking (London), a floor plan I can do nothing with, lack of potential to add value myself. I have seen (and met) some real horrors whilst looking for houses! Also, I have to have a period house: 1930s or older.

It was the best thing to do for this stage in our lives. Each home we had fitted our circumstances at the time; no children to a growing busy family back to occasional family. We left our 5 bedroom Victorian town house with the typical large rooms which we had lived in for 20 years and the location we had been in for over 30 years We had created a small but beautiful walled garden and I had to travel by car to my allotment. Having decided to move we spent time sorting the house to make the best of marketing it. We went through all the boxes of photographs, (my three boys having a good giggle), threw the unnecessary or duplicate ones away, then sent them off to be put on CD. We kept the shoe box full of photos as well just in case..... I put all my boys school stuff into separate boxes and they had to decide what to do with it. One did not even look at it, one looked and then dumped and one selected a few bits he wanted. As a joint exercise it was a wonderful family time and trip down memory lane. We had several sweeps through our belongings. Each time it was obvious what was not needed. Items given away, sold donated or dumped. It also became easier each time to let go of the things we previously thought we wanted. Finally storage for some bits then we moved into a rented flat whilst we looked for our next property. By the time we found it, and with the process of moving most of what was in storage was not needed emotionally or physically either. We are now 300 miles away in a two bedroom cottage in the middle of a forest. We are renovating it and adapting it (not enlarging) as we go, in fact turning it into a one bedroom property but with flexible other rooms. We do have the advantage of a mezzanine bedroom holiday conversion attached which we are using whilst the work is happening. This small space living is focusing us even further. Financially we are much better off, I am creating the home of my dreams, we have entered a new welcoming community and a totally new way of life. Our boys love visiting. We have been here for 18 months and so glad we have done it. Cathartic, most definitely, happier certainly, the right thing for this stage of our lives yes.

I think making the extension smaller will work, but you've thrown something extra in to the mix by way of a music room and a separate lounge. The designs above are good, but none of them have room for dining. ( except for Jonathan's ) I think as Jonathan suggests that you need a definitive list of items that you have to have, and items that you'd like if it were possible. I fear you will not fit all of them in and something will have to give. You barely have enough room for everything ( excluding the music room ) with a full width extension, if you make that smaller you will have to do without something. Maybe the office could treble up as the office / guest room / music room? Or dining could be dining and music? Therefore, a concept planner is a must. As you can see, it is possible to have the rooms opened up like this ( bearing in mind a supporting wall has been taken away to make extra room - so extra cost ) - however, the furniture placement isn't in my opinion favourable - so that's where a concept planner comes in - They know the sizes of the objects and what can fit in where. They can also 3d the plans so that you can have a look round them. Your plans are ok, but they haven't taken in to consideration the furniture and what you might be able to fit in the spaces, thus they don't work so well i'm afraid. This is the whole thing made smaller - As you see the downstairs loo went in favour of a hallway to the downstairs bathroom, the loo becomes a utility cupboard. You have a bench dining area with table etc This is it made a little larger:- The extra metre makes a big difference!