kitchen extension - shortlist
Contrast the groutA plain square white tile might not seem like the most adventurous choice for your walls, but in fact its simplicity allows you to be quite creative. Experiment with colour, grout and layout to design different looks to suit your style. Here, the brickwork pattern has been enhanced by dark grey grout to make the tiles stand out. The bold design works well here, as it contrasts with the soft grain in the wooden worktop and shelf.
Bare bricks become a feature in a gentle Victorian flat extension This used to be a conservatory that was “freezing cold in winter and overheated in summer”, according to the designers at Scenario Architecture. It also blocked light from flowing into the living room behind it. It’s only really when you look the other way in this extension (which is on a ground-floor flat in a large Victorian villa) that you get an idea of how unusual it is. From this angle, what you see is the emphasis on letting in light – thanks to the bonus windows above the bifold doors, the glass roof, a pale colour scheme and that light-reflecting splashback. It’s goes the extra mile, for sure, but lots of extensions are all about the glass. Turn around, however, and…
A dazzlingly contemporary extension wrapped in a traditional exteriorChoosing brickwork that matches the original so closely makes this extension, designed by FC Architects, almost invisible from the outside. The pitched roof and choice not to extend the full side return also nod to the earlier life of the building. It all makes the large, light-loving patio doors less of a feature in their own right as they, too, blend in more easily with such a backdrop.
Seen from the inside, however, the extension feels positively futuristic and minimal – giving the owners the best of both worlds. Huge expanses of glass forming much of the ceiling area, as well as an almost seamlessly connected window at the end of the shorter part of the extension, seen here, give the space a lovely link to the garden – making that the feature, rather than the inspired yet non-visually intrusive architecture.
Showcase other objectsSquare tiles work in much the same way as metro tiles, in that they can be a great neutral backdrop for other elements. For instance, if you’d like a patterned floor and vintage furniture to take centre stage, as in this bathroom, consider using some low-key squares on the walls. A simple design like this is subtle and timeless, and will allow you to showcase more elaborate pieces.Don’t fancy square tiles? Here’s how hexagonal tiles can elevate your bathroom
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