Houzz Tour: An Edwardian Cottage is Renovated to Retain its Charm
Creative design elements ensure a cottage keeps its traditional character following a major extension and renovation project
This beautiful Edwardian cottage didn’t look so picture postcard pretty inside when the owners first bought it. “The property was very run-down and needed a complete refurbishment,” says designer Kate Cooper of Absolute Architecture, who was called in to oversee the project. “It was cramped with lots of small rooms. Our brief was to open it out, add an extension and help the family enjoy the outside space as much as possible.”
With the help of joiner Ben Heath and a team of landscape gardeners and interior designers, Cooper managed to transform the cottage without destroying its charm and character. The key elements of the project were the addition of a kitchen and bedroom extension, and the removal of the upstairs ceiling to expose the original vaulted roof.
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With the help of joiner Ben Heath and a team of landscape gardeners and interior designers, Cooper managed to transform the cottage without destroying its charm and character. The key elements of the project were the addition of a kitchen and bedroom extension, and the removal of the upstairs ceiling to expose the original vaulted roof.
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Next to the cottage is a large meadow and some natural ponds. The field is seeded with wildflowers, which provide a beautiful view from the house.
It’s hard to distinguish the extension from the original property, which protrudes from the left of the building towards the meadow. “The owners wanted it to tie in perfectly with the character of the cottage,” explains Cooper.
It’s hard to distinguish the extension from the original property, which protrudes from the left of the building towards the meadow. “The owners wanted it to tie in perfectly with the character of the cottage,” explains Cooper.
The family had lived overseas in a warm climate and love to be outside as much as possible. The exterior of the property was designed to accommodate this, with a large patio laid with tumbled fossil mint sandstone.
There are plenty of outdoor seating areas, including a generous dining table surrounded by comfortable wicker chairs.
The owners were also keen to add an outside fireplace and barbecue area, which are to the left of the house. The wooden construction on the right is a sauna, where they can escape to if the weather turns chilly. Cooper stained the original orange wood of the sauna a dark brown to help it blend in with the rest of the building.
Table and chairs, Neptune.
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There are plenty of outdoor seating areas, including a generous dining table surrounded by comfortable wicker chairs.
The owners were also keen to add an outside fireplace and barbecue area, which are to the left of the house. The wooden construction on the right is a sauna, where they can escape to if the weather turns chilly. Cooper stained the original orange wood of the sauna a dark brown to help it blend in with the rest of the building.
Table and chairs, Neptune.
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The original small kitchen was extended to create a space big enough for family and friends to gather. “The owners didn’t want the room to feel new and slick, so we added the ceiling beams to give it character,” says Cooper.
French windows lead onto the terrace for easy access to the outdoors, and the bay provides extra space for a comfy window seat.
“The colour scheme was kicked off with the bright fabric on the dining chairs,” says Cooper. “The owners fell in love with the design, so everything else fell into place around it.”
The black table was made specifically for the space and has a gold distressed detail along its edge.
French windows lead onto the terrace for easy access to the outdoors, and the bay provides extra space for a comfy window seat.
“The colour scheme was kicked off with the bright fabric on the dining chairs,” says Cooper. “The owners fell in love with the design, so everything else fell into place around it.”
The black table was made specifically for the space and has a gold distressed detail along its edge.
The owners wanted a relaxed feel in the kitchen, so they chose simple, Shaker-style units in soft white. The space is a mix of bespoke joinery and ready-made pieces from Neptune. A large pantry provides useful storage, while the curved cupboards near the hallway entrance prevent any nasty bumps into sharp edges in the small space.
Cooper fitted LED lights above and inside the cabinets. These complement the ceiling spotlights and provide ambient light in the evening.
The antique mirror splashback is a clever way to make the room appear larger; it also subtly contrasts with the matt walls and units.
Walls painted in Slipper Satin; ceiling painted in All White, both Farrow & Ball.
Cooper fitted LED lights above and inside the cabinets. These complement the ceiling spotlights and provide ambient light in the evening.
The antique mirror splashback is a clever way to make the room appear larger; it also subtly contrasts with the matt walls and units.
Walls painted in Slipper Satin; ceiling painted in All White, both Farrow & Ball.
The owners went for a striking pendant light, which they had powder-coated in the same green as the Aga. The spotlights provide functional lighting, while the pendant takes centre stage.
Pendant light, Charles Edwards.
Pendant light, Charles Edwards.
Moroccan tiles behind the Aga provide an attractive backdrop to a display of traditional copper cookware. The kitchen features lots of clever storage solutions, including a plate shelf and some neat chopping board recesses. “We usually steer clear of too much wall storage, but in such a small space, we needed it,” explains Cooper. She describes the result as “artful clutter”.
A new oak front door leads into the tiled hallway. The door on the left leads to the utility room, which used to be the kitchen.
Every small detail has been attended to, with light switches made of traditional oak back plates and metal toggles to complement the doors.
Every small detail has been attended to, with light switches made of traditional oak back plates and metal toggles to complement the doors.
The living area is a long, narrow space divided by a central chimney breast and wood-burning stove (not shown). Cooper designed some sleek, built-in storage opposite the sofa, with shelves, drawers and a sliding door to conceal the TV. The freestanding units at the back of the room provide an extra place for clutter, while the rattan ottoman doubles up as a coffee table.
The wooden herringbone parquet floor is softened with a sisal rug. “There was enough texture in the fabrics and curtains, so we kept the rug plain,” says Cooper.
The wooden herringbone parquet floor is softened with a sisal rug. “There was enough texture in the fabrics and curtains, so we kept the rug plain,” says Cooper.
At the other end of the living space is a study area. The antique furniture makes it feel cosy, while the desk’s position in front of the bay window provides a restful view of the front garden.
In the main bedroom, Cooper removed the plasterboard from the ceiling to reveal the attractive joists behind it. The team gave them a fresh lick of paint, but left the original texture in place. “It was a challenge to attach the huge brass ceiling light,” says Cooper. “We had to take down one of the joists to get it up there!”
The owners chose the distinctive hand-printed wallpaper and fabric, which give the room an opulent feel. Fresh white bed linen brightens the room, while a plain bouclé carpet and antique furniture finish the look.
Bed linen, The White Company.
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The owners chose the distinctive hand-printed wallpaper and fabric, which give the room an opulent feel. Fresh white bed linen brightens the room, while a plain bouclé carpet and antique furniture finish the look.
Bed linen, The White Company.
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The teenage son’s room has a masculine touch, with a bold tartan design in the soft furnishings. Once again, the rafters were exposed and a brass lantern attached to the ceiling behind.
With a chimney breast on the right-hand side of the room and windows on the two remaining walls, the bed had to be positioned under one of the windows. “It’s unconventional,” says Cooper. “But it works.”
With a chimney breast on the right-hand side of the room and windows on the two remaining walls, the bed had to be positioned under one of the windows. “It’s unconventional,” says Cooper. “But it works.”
The owners’ daughters share a room and this has a feminine feel, thanks to its soft pink and yellow colour scheme and cream furniture. This room is part of the extension, so there were no rafters to uncover.
The two small double beds take up a lot of surface area, so Cooper incorporated a few space-saving tricks to gain some room. She removed a wall radiator and used underfloor heating instead, and put one table between the two beds instead of opting for separate bedside units.
Writing desk, LT Interiors.
The two small double beds take up a lot of surface area, so Cooper incorporated a few space-saving tricks to gain some room. She removed a wall radiator and used underfloor heating instead, and put one table between the two beds instead of opting for separate bedside units.
Writing desk, LT Interiors.
The bathroom is light and simple, with a cottage-style bath and linen shower curtain. Cooper designed built-in cabinets to neatly keep toiletries and linen out of sight.
The space is neutral, but the two tones of tiles add subtle interest to the room.
Valencia Moonstone and Valencia Opal wall tiles; Cathedral limestone floor tiles, all Fired Earth. Sanitaryware, Heritage.
The space is neutral, but the two tones of tiles add subtle interest to the room.
Valencia Moonstone and Valencia Opal wall tiles; Cathedral limestone floor tiles, all Fired Earth. Sanitaryware, Heritage.
The basin is placed right next to the window. “It’s really light and provides a great view of the garden,” says Cooper.
The window’s ironmongery has an oil-rubbed bronze finish, adding to the traditional cottage look.
Basin, Kohler.
The window’s ironmongery has an oil-rubbed bronze finish, adding to the traditional cottage look.
Basin, Kohler.
These two floorplans show where the house has been extended to incorporate a new kitchen space and a third bedroom upstairs. The previous kitchen has made way for a utility room, and the living room has been opened out to make full use of the space.
Cooper also reconfigured the main bedroom to create space for an en suite bathroom, and removed the door in the third bedroom to add more wall space.
TELL US…
What do you think of this characterful cottage? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Cooper also reconfigured the main bedroom to create space for an en suite bathroom, and removed the door in the third bedroom to add more wall space.
TELL US…
What do you think of this characterful cottage? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A family with teenagers
Location Newbury, west Berkshire
Property A cottage built in 1910; it was originally the lodge house for the wood
Size 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Designer Kate Cooper of Absolute Architecture
Photography James Wilson of JAW Photography
Kate Cooper and her team enhanced the front of the property by adding boxed hedges and pretty cottage garden planting either side of the entrance path. The path is laid with traditional Victorian encaustic tiles, which continue inside along the hall and into the kitchen, helping to link the indoors and out. The tiles were coated with a specialist sealant to protect them.
Cooper also updated the exterior paint and chose an elegant lead grey for the woodwork instead of the bright blue that was there previously.
Woodwork painted in Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball.