Houzz Tour: A Restored Period Home With a Stunning Rear Extension
A bright, spacious addition was key to improving light and flow in this elegant family home
The owners of this period house were originally planning a redesign of their previous property and had approached designer Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors to help. However, they decided to move instead and got back in touch with Beth to aid them in turning their new property into a comfortable, elegant family home.
So, along with completely renovating the property, Beth and her team built a large, full-width rear extension. This new addition combines a living space for watching TV or reading, a dining zone, and a kitchen with a large island. The areas are all on the same level, but they’re broken up with rugs, furniture and strategically placed lighting.
Expansive roof glazing brings extra daylight into the kitchen, while steel-framed French windows provide a view out to the garden.
Glazing, Fabco Sanctuary. Walls painted in Diamond Matt emulsion in a custom-mixed colour, Dulux.
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Expansive roof glazing brings extra daylight into the kitchen, while steel-framed French windows provide a view out to the garden.
Glazing, Fabco Sanctuary. Walls painted in Diamond Matt emulsion in a custom-mixed colour, Dulux.
You might also enjoy How to Link Your Indoor and Outdoor Spaces.
In the kitchen, a large island in bold black sits between a bank of tall cupboards and a row of Shaker-style base and wall units, all painted mid-grey.
Aged brass handles and pulls were chosen to add a warm touch to the monochrome scheme. “We also selected a bronze tap and glass pendants with bronze detailing to add more warmth, as well as a pair of backless wooden bar stools,” Beth says.
Kitchen cabinets, handles and pulls, DeVOL. Tap, Perrin & Rowe. Pendant light, Pooky.
Aged brass handles and pulls were chosen to add a warm touch to the monochrome scheme. “We also selected a bronze tap and glass pendants with bronze detailing to add more warmth, as well as a pair of backless wooden bar stools,” Beth says.
Kitchen cabinets, handles and pulls, DeVOL. Tap, Perrin & Rowe. Pendant light, Pooky.
“My client loves the elegance of Carrara marble, so chose that for the worktops and splashbacks,” Beth says. “We added deep blue handmade tiles above the range for some contrast.
“The reeded glass door fronts for the wall cabinets tie in with the industrial feel of the steel glazing and break up the grey of the Shaker fronts,” she adds.
Blue splashback tiles, Fired Earth.
“The reeded glass door fronts for the wall cabinets tie in with the industrial feel of the steel glazing and break up the grey of the Shaker fronts,” she adds.
Blue splashback tiles, Fired Earth.
The owners wanted to be able to access the dining table easily from the kitchen. There was plenty of room in the new extension to position a large oak, extending table between the kitchen and the French windows.
A reeded glass pendant light above the table ties in with the glazed kitchen cabinets. Wall lights, a picture light and a few carefully positioned recessed ceiling spots bring in additional illumination.
Cross dining table, available at John Lewis & Partners. Dining chairs, West Elm. Wall lights, Pooky. Pendant light, French Connection. Tablecloth, H&M.
A reeded glass pendant light above the table ties in with the glazed kitchen cabinets. Wall lights, a picture light and a few carefully positioned recessed ceiling spots bring in additional illumination.
Cross dining table, available at John Lewis & Partners. Dining chairs, West Elm. Wall lights, Pooky. Pendant light, French Connection. Tablecloth, H&M.
Next to the dining area is a seating zone with comfortable armchairs facing the TV.
“A bespoke unit was designed to create a focal point for the TV seating area, as well as a place to display personal mementos and hide children’s toys,” Beth says. “It was built from MDF and painted in a lovely deep blue-green to contrast with the pale walls in the rest of the space.”
TV unit painted in Inchyra Blue, Farrow & Ball. Armchairs; footstool, all Sofa.com.
“A bespoke unit was designed to create a focal point for the TV seating area, as well as a place to display personal mementos and hide children’s toys,” Beth says. “It was built from MDF and painted in a lovely deep blue-green to contrast with the pale walls in the rest of the space.”
TV unit painted in Inchyra Blue, Farrow & Ball. Armchairs; footstool, all Sofa.com.
A slanted rooflight between the original building and the new extension (see the second photo for a longer view) brings more daylight into the centre of the home.
Take a look at the Houzz Professionals Directory to find a range of renovation pros in your area, see their projects and read client reviews.
Take a look at the Houzz Professionals Directory to find a range of renovation pros in your area, see their projects and read client reviews.
The French windows lead out to a pretty garden. Painted slats have been added above the original brick walls for jasmine and roses to climb up.
“The owners sourced a lovely playhouse and we had that painted in the same colour as the slats, so it blended in,” Beth says. “We planted the borders with figs, nepeta, hydrangea and lots of bulbs. It’s a really sunny spot for the family to enjoy.”
Fences and playhouse painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball.
“The owners sourced a lovely playhouse and we had that painted in the same colour as the slats, so it blended in,” Beth says. “We planted the borders with figs, nepeta, hydrangea and lots of bulbs. It’s a really sunny spot for the family to enjoy.”
Fences and playhouse painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball.
The downstairs cloakroom is also located in the extension and has an equally high ceiling as the rest of the new space. “To make it feel cosier, we painted it in a deep blue and added wall lights and tongue-and-groove panelling,” Beth says.
Walls and woodwork painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Sanitaryware, Bathroom Discount Centre.
Walls and woodwork painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Sanitaryware, Bathroom Discount Centre.
At the front of the house is a separate living room, which already had built-in joinery either side of the fireplace.
“We simply updated the door fronts, added new knobs, and painted it in the same colour as the walls, so it became less dominant in the room,” Beth says. “The pretty furniture and fireplace are now the focal points, and the neutral wall colour creates a cosy backdrop for them.”
The team also added oak herringbone parquet flooring, a pair of matching sage velvet sofas and a pink linen ottoman.
Walls and joinery painted in Purbeck Stone, Farrow & Ball. Sofas; ottoman, all Sofa.com.
“We simply updated the door fronts, added new knobs, and painted it in the same colour as the walls, so it became less dominant in the room,” Beth says. “The pretty furniture and fireplace are now the focal points, and the neutral wall colour creates a cosy backdrop for them.”
The team also added oak herringbone parquet flooring, a pair of matching sage velvet sofas and a pink linen ottoman.
Walls and joinery painted in Purbeck Stone, Farrow & Ball. Sofas; ottoman, all Sofa.com.
“The front door and surround were painted white when my clients bought the house, but I encouraged them to paint both in a darker colour to accentuate the unusual shape and draw attention to the original stained glass panels,” Beth says.
The builders carefully refurbished the door and it’s now the focal point of the hallway. Beth chose a neutral wall colour and stair runner (see next photo) to complement the existing floor tiles. She added contrast with the wood and metal console and a black cast-iron radiator.
The builders carefully refurbished the door and it’s now the focal point of the hallway. Beth chose a neutral wall colour and stair runner (see next photo) to complement the existing floor tiles. She added contrast with the wood and metal console and a black cast-iron radiator.
“We also managed to tuck a small laundry room off the hallway in what had previously been the downstairs loo,” Beth says. “This now houses coats and boots, as well as a washing machine and dryer.”
Steps lead down from the hallway, through bespoke tall panelled doors, and into the new extension.
Steps lead down from the hallway, through bespoke tall panelled doors, and into the new extension.
The owners love blues and greens, so Beth used these shades in the guest and main bedrooms.
Here in the guest room, pale green walls are complemented by soft grey and pink textiles. Beth created a wall of storage by positioning freestanding wardrobes opposite the bed.
Walls painted in Blue Gray, Farrow & Ball. Bedding, Wallace Cotton. Ceiling light, John Lewis & Partners.
Here in the guest room, pale green walls are complemented by soft grey and pink textiles. Beth created a wall of storage by positioning freestanding wardrobes opposite the bed.
Walls painted in Blue Gray, Farrow & Ball. Bedding, Wallace Cotton. Ceiling light, John Lewis & Partners.
A comfy armchair sits alongside a new marble fire surround. All the first floor bedrooms were fitted out with a soft looped wool carpet.
The main bedroom features a velvet upholstered bed with contrasting pink and black bed linen.
Walls painted in Light Blue, Farrow & Ball. Bedding, Wallace Cotton.
Walls painted in Light Blue, Farrow & Ball. Bedding, Wallace Cotton.
The family bathroom was previously covered in beige large-format tiles. Beth replaced these with plain walls and a Carrara marble splashback that continues up the wall from the vanity unit top.
A roll-top bath sits on patterned floor tiles, alongside a bespoke vanity unit and mirror made by the joiner. There’s also a separate shower cubicle out of shot.
Bath and vanity unit painted in Sulking Room Pink, Farrow & Ball. Floor tiles, Fired Earth. Sanitaryware, Bathroom Discount Centre.
A roll-top bath sits on patterned floor tiles, alongside a bespoke vanity unit and mirror made by the joiner. There’s also a separate shower cubicle out of shot.
Bath and vanity unit painted in Sulking Room Pink, Farrow & Ball. Floor tiles, Fired Earth. Sanitaryware, Bathroom Discount Centre.
“The windows throughout the house were refurbished by the builders during the renovation, and are now really pretty features in the hallways and landings,” Beth says.
There are two children’s bedrooms on the top floor, as well as a playroom.
Wallpaper, Cole & Son.
Wallpaper, Cole & Son.
A sofa-bed in the playroom doubles as an extra sleeping space for occasional guests. The joinery in here was refurbished and a new carpet and black cast-iron radiator fitted.
Despite the renovation taking place during 2020’s lockdown, it went very smoothly. “The clients absolutely love their new home,” Beth says.
Sofa-bed, Sofa.com.
Tell us…
What do you like about this beautifully renovated family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Despite the renovation taking place during 2020’s lockdown, it went very smoothly. “The clients absolutely love their new home,” Beth says.
Sofa-bed, Sofa.com.
Tell us…
What do you like about this beautifully renovated family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A young family
Location South-west London
Property A semi-detached period house
Size Six bedrooms and three bathrooms
Designer Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors
Photos by Chris Snook
When Beth’s clients bought their new home, it felt a little tired and dated, but it also had some lovely features.
“It had stunning original period details, such as the stained glass in the front door and elegant cornicing throughout, as well as lovely proportions,” Beth says.
The main issue for the owners was the small kitchen extension. They were hoping to transform it into a space that felt more like the heart of the home.