outside
At the rear of the garden, Rebecca and Ben were keen to build a summerhouse to provide a cosy spot to sit, and to give the plot a focal point. The conservation area status of the property meant they had to apply to the council for approval first. As soon as they got the go-ahead, Ben could start to build it. He decided to use a DIY summerhouse kit, which the couple purchased online and adapted to suit their own style. It made things much quicker, which was necessary, as they wanted to get it finished before their house extension started.
Viewed from the exterior, you can see how this solution is, again, one that works with the building’s original proportions. Note also that the side return hasn’t been converted into part of the room.The window is an oriel design, meaning it protrudes from the exterior of the building and provides the space for the window seat, as well as an interesting new architectural feature.
Part of the extension has a massive skylight, as ensuring the flat became airy and light-filled was a key requirement for the couple. “Our architect helped us to achieve this not only via the skylight, the bifold doors and even the courtyard, but also through clever lighting, such as concealed strips inserted into the skylight,” says Kate. “Even when the weather is shocking, I love the rain bouncing onto the skylight.” The made-to-order dining table can be extended to seat up to 10 and has a concealed drawer for tablemats with a matching Tom Howley cup handle. “I found the prints for 99p each on eBay,” says Kate. “They’re vintage travel posters from different places we’ve visited, and I put them in Habitat frames. I love the fact that they are colourful and reflect the bold pans and cookbooks on the shelf opposite.” Bespoke dining table, Of Special Interest. Suffolk dining chairs, Neptune.
The couple’s flat occupies the entire ground floor and the back half of the first floor, which was also extended. The other flat in the Victorian terrace takes up the front half of the first floor and all of the top floor.The tiled slate flooring in the new kitchen continues outside to create a patio. Above, is the newly-extended main bedroom with shower room and roof terrace. Urban Slate black brushed tiles, Fired Earth.
Room at a GlanceWho lives here Architect Paulius Zakevicius and his wife, LinaProperty A ground-floor flat in a late Victorian terraceLocation North LondonYear renovated 2015Architect Paulius Zakevicius of Flik Design Size 6.8m x 5.4m; part of a flat with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroomThe new extension at the rear of the flat offers privacy as well as space. ‘We have neighbours above the bedrooms, but not here at the back,’ says Paulius Zakevicius. ‘It’s more private and quiet here.’Brass pendant lights hang over the central workspace. ‘We wanted to add in an extra material here, either concrete, copper or brass,’ Zakevicius says. The lights are suspended from the wall over the units, rather than from the ceiling. ‘If they were hanging from the ceiling, it would make the light fall quite far back in the kitchen,’ he says. ‘Here, they’re more useful. They are just above head height and not too big, so they don’t block the view through to the garden.’Flori brass pendant lights, Rowen & Wren.
The sliding doors open seamlessly onto the terrace. “Glazing is an area you can spend a fortune on,” says Milns. “What we did was to compromise a little by using thicker frames, which are less expensive, but with the mullions between only 20mm thick.” This means the sightlines through to the garden are still minimal, giving the same feel as very expensive doors with super-skinny frames. “It’s a good way of getting that light look without spending so much,” says Milns. “We always try to look for smart ways to economise on a big project like this.”Not sure what extension doors to go for? Be inspired by these ideas that aren’t wall-to-wall
Experiment with right anglesRaised beds don’t have to be banished to the edges of your garden. Here, a central, straight-edged arrangement flanking steps allows lavender and other plants to be appreciated from the terrace. The graphic shape is bolder and much more interesting than a curved or lower bed in the same position might have been.Tell us…Have you gone for a straight-edged look in your garden? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
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