How would you remodel this house without costing the earth?
My current downstairs layout does work but I am happy where we are living. I need to avoid huge grand plans of extensions due to costs and budget so looking to remodel what we have to fix the following issues and would appreciate inspiration and ideas
-Kitchen layout doesn't work, the previous owners added a wrap-around extension to add a downstairs toilet which leaves me with an odd-shaped and dark tunnelled kitchen/dining
We don't use the driveway for the car or the garage. We use this space as a private outdoor seating area as we don't have neighbours on the left of the property
My initial idea is to take the load-bearing wall out of the kitchen/dining room to open the space and add some Velux to let more natural light in. Then to extend the porch (there is room in the front garden) so the front door is directly in front of the 2nd hall entrance door and extend it round to meet the side extension (see the second photo). I hope then this space could house the downstairs loo and also my washer and dryer.
But is there something else I haven't seen? What would you do?
Comments (8)
CWD
2 years agoHayles Savvi
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Where to get chinoiserie wallpaper without costing a fortune?
Comments (44)Hello Anastasia, I hope you are well. I love the Cole and Son hicks hexagon too and it does look absolutely stunning on the wall. The quality is great too. Both designs will create a WOW and look fabulous and the hall is the place to do it. I am sure you have seen images of the cole and son on the wall too, but just in case https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=image+of+rooms+decorated+with+cole+and+son+geometric+wallpaper&espv=2&biw=1093&bih=494&tbm=isch&imgil=8LqsJQOcPudg5M%253A%253BwlC-0FV3Fxc_4M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fblog.decoratorsbest.com%25252F2014%25252F04%25252F15%25252Fhow-to-incorporate-geometrics-into-every-room-of-your-home%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=8LqsJQOcPudg5M%253A%252CwlC-0FV3Fxc_4M%252C_&dpr=1.25&usg=okQdK7Jo5A1VFQC8_dFO-7hFb1s%3D&ved=0CD0QyjdqFQoTCN2RpeG-4sgCFUu6GgodfmkBhQ&ei=PVgvVp3_Acv0av7ShagI#tbm=isch&tbs=rimg%3ACUFl7bjpaTieIjhXpxNgsMi79sglGLWntIgdhrNU2mUeh3BoK3NLI_1gDNMJEJCk-BXjpxGiOvfBIRTbCv9-FSWO63ioSCVenE2CwyLv2EZQrGxa4SLHpKhIJyCUYtae0iB0RMsoVXlZ677UqEgmGs1TaZR6HcBHb_1cdQJl0rQSoSCWgrc0sj-AM0EV6UvYKLKQJXKhIJwkQkKT4FeOkRSfNNvI6LJzoqEgnEaI698EhFNhEfbeYBDDIvSCoSCcK_134VJY7reEQnc8dWFW42Z&q=image%20of%20rooms%20decorated%20with%20cole%20and%20son%20geometric%20wallpaper&imgdii=c0Ed3CWKFAuTM%3A%3Bc0Ed3CWKFAuTM%3A%3BR9DSGwjh_uNiyM%3A&imgrc=c_0Ed3CWKFAuTM%3A I am a real believer in being brave and going for what you love in your home..... go with gut:-)...See MoreWould you live on a house boat?
Comments (15)I've stayed on narrowboats and wide beams on the canals a number of times over the years but have never "lived" on one. I take my hat off to those who do. For many these days its not out of choice and can add many new problems to already busy lives. For many the difficulty/cost of finding a residential mooring anywhere near jobs, shops, transport and family can stop the project dead. Finding a lovely boat is very much a secondary consideration. The alternative of "continuous cruising" doesn't work well for many since you have to move on every 2 weeks - the Canal & River Trust are getting tough on this point. Comfortable living is much more of a weather related issue on a boat since the impact of cold, rain, muddy and very slippery towpaths as well as heat in mid-summer (you are living in a tin can) are all issues that don't affect bricks and mortar dwellers to anything like the same extent. In winter the canals can freeze over and canal maintenance is normally done then. Both can stop you from moving. If you can't move you can't easily fill up with water, fuel or empty the tank. Lugging heavy and smelly cans for a long distance is not fun. The upsides for me are the closeness to wildlife, the feeling of freedom and fresh air, the people you meet and the gentle movement on a canal - I've seldom slept so well. Other boats do pass by and even if they do slow down the boat can rock enough to make you spill your tea. Other points in favour are that you can move location for better/different views, most dogs love it even if they become muddier than you can imagine and you can moor at a canalside pub and not have to drive anywhere afterwards. The downsides are the need to fill with water, gas and fuel and to pump out the waste tank or empty the toilet cassette - not always at convenient times or locations, and the congestion for mooring spots now that there are over 33,000 narrowboats on the system - many more than in their heyday of the industrial revolution. The canals can have dead spots for mobile phone and broadband coverage. Also consider that boats do go wrong - not much fun in winter if you can't get the heating going and that not everybody you meet is nice, thoughtful or helpful. Best to try it first before you give up living on solid ground and move to a boat....See MoreDesign inspiration for master bedroom suite in earth sheltered house
Comments (12)What an amazing property! You are very lucky. Pray tell, will you be keeping the pool? Jonathan has a good idea but I think if you are worried about moving walls then maybe just replace and update all the fixtures and fittings and then see how you feel. Even a coat of paint can make a massive difference. In the ensuite, it's hard to tell the layout from your photos but you could definitely get rid of the bidet. Having the bidet's plumbing and waste should give you more flexibility if you want to change the bathroom layout too. Keep us posted, this is a really interesting house!...See MoreHow can you support rsj without having nibs, if so what costs?
Comments (5)it will be possible to loose the nib on the extension. a structural engineer can provide the details to achieve this and your builder can work to these details. without a plan itnis hard to provide further details but it is definitely achievable to maintain the current internal wall to wall dimensions. The overall width externally will increase to account for the new cavity wall and insulation, so I effect the width of the extension will be wider outside. best Rowland...See More
Ellie
2 years agoHayles Savvi
2 years agoEllie
2 years ago
PROAlice Clare Studio
2 years ago
kazzh
2 years ago
Jonathan