Houzz Tour: A Smart Extension Revives a Rundown Victorian Terrace
A Victorian house benefits from added space, extra light and a smarter layout with a new extension and loft conversion
When a building surveyor describes a property as ‘uninhabitable’, it’s clear this is a building in a pretty bad state, requiring a complete strip-out and rethink. This was exactly what the owners were facing when they bought this rundown Victorian house in Earlsfield, south London.
“The house hadn’t had any work done to it for around 30 years, so it really was a full-on project that required us to take the building back to brick and start again,” explains Owain Jones, project manager at Battersea Builders, who took on the challenge.
“The house hadn’t had any work done to it for around 30 years, so it really was a full-on project that required us to take the building back to brick and start again,” explains Owain Jones, project manager at Battersea Builders, who took on the challenge.
The original kitchen was separate to the living space and in dire need of a rethink. “When we arrived on site, the kitchen was in a terrible condition – it was even infested with mice!” Jones recalls.
“We constructed an L-shaped rear and side return extension, so the house is now flush along the back. We went out around 1.5m from the rear wall of the existing outhouse and around 5m from the rear wall of the previous living room at the back.
“The idea was to maximise the kitchen and living space as much as possible, and to gain more light. The side return allows for additional skylights, and we could install bifold doors along the flush back.”
Are you planning a kitchen renovation? Here’s what to consider.
“We constructed an L-shaped rear and side return extension, so the house is now flush along the back. We went out around 1.5m from the rear wall of the existing outhouse and around 5m from the rear wall of the previous living room at the back.
“The idea was to maximise the kitchen and living space as much as possible, and to gain more light. The side return allows for additional skylights, and we could install bifold doors along the flush back.”
Are you planning a kitchen renovation? Here’s what to consider.
The new, open-plan kitchen is now the focal point of the house. It was designed in conjunction with the owners and top-end kitchen- and cabinet-maker Andrew Williams, who’s based in Wales.
“I would describe it as modern classic – the owners wanted a subtle blend of styles to make it more interesting,” Jones says. “The slab flooring is something you’d expect in a country farmhouse, while the kitchen itself is slightly more contemporary, but still classic. Then they have the bifold doors and skylights, which feel more modern.”
Stainless-steel plinths add to the contemporary edge and tie in with the muted grey tones.
Jaipur brushed limestone flooring, Mandarin Stone.
“I would describe it as modern classic – the owners wanted a subtle blend of styles to make it more interesting,” Jones says. “The slab flooring is something you’d expect in a country farmhouse, while the kitchen itself is slightly more contemporary, but still classic. Then they have the bifold doors and skylights, which feel more modern.”
Stainless-steel plinths add to the contemporary edge and tie in with the muted grey tones.
Jaipur brushed limestone flooring, Mandarin Stone.
With its raised, circular, oak butcher’s block, the freestanding island unit perched on slim legs looks more like a piece of furniture than a kitchen unit.
It’s painted in a darker shade than the rest of the kitchen to create an eye-catching design statement. Inside are two large drawers and three bespoke cutting boards, which slide in.
“The owners wanted something elegant and unique but also usable, so there’s plenty of worktop and storage space,” says Jones.
Perimeter kitchen units painted in Purbeck Stone; island unit painted in Mole’s Breath, both Farrow & Ball.
It’s painted in a darker shade than the rest of the kitchen to create an eye-catching design statement. Inside are two large drawers and three bespoke cutting boards, which slide in.
“The owners wanted something elegant and unique but also usable, so there’s plenty of worktop and storage space,” says Jones.
Perimeter kitchen units painted in Purbeck Stone; island unit painted in Mole’s Breath, both Farrow & Ball.
Modern glass pendant lights, suspended above the island unit, inject a hint of contemporary cool.
Gloria glass pendant lights, John Lewis.
Gloria glass pendant lights, John Lewis.
A double farmhouse sink is paired with an ultra-modern tap and separate boiling-water tap, enhancing the fusion of styles the owners were so keen on.
Fusion Square boiling-water tap, Quooker.
Check out how to choose the perfect sink for your kitchen
Fusion Square boiling-water tap, Quooker.
Check out how to choose the perfect sink for your kitchen
Quartz worktops with matching splashbacks around the hob and sink zones are extremely hard-wearing and stain-resistant, but look smart and sophisticated at the same time.
“The use of dimple downlighters throughout and pale paint shades on the walls and kitchen units make the space feel airy and welcoming,” adds Jones.
Lyra worktops, Silestone. Walls painted in Strong White, Farrow & Ball.
“The use of dimple downlighters throughout and pale paint shades on the walls and kitchen units make the space feel airy and welcoming,” adds Jones.
Lyra worktops, Silestone. Walls painted in Strong White, Farrow & Ball.
Clean-lined, Shaker-style doors are given a modern twist thanks to cut-out notches rather than handles or knobs.
The double oven is framed by cupboards fitted out with adjustable shelving to cater for flexible storage needs.
Oven, Neff.
The double oven is framed by cupboards fitted out with adjustable shelving to cater for flexible storage needs.
Oven, Neff.
The kitchen has a clever modular design, with a mid-height unit that looks freestanding, but is actually built in.
Featuring a fridge-freezer and more storage, the unit is located in the dining area of the open-plan room, allowing the two spaces to flow effortlessly into one another.
Featuring a fridge-freezer and more storage, the unit is located in the dining area of the open-plan room, allowing the two spaces to flow effortlessly into one another.
The open-plan kitchen and dining zone is Jones’s favourite part of the renovation.
“We transformed a very dreary and dark space with limited head room in parts (we had to raise the height of the staircase to get around this) into a very bright, stylish and usable space,” he says.
“We transformed a very dreary and dark space with limited head room in parts (we had to raise the height of the staircase to get around this) into a very bright, stylish and usable space,” he says.
The extension still allows for a neat wedge of garden, so the owners can enjoy the outdoors.
Artificial grass, Grassify.
Read expert advice on artificial grass
Artificial grass, Grassify.
Read expert advice on artificial grass
Pale blue walls and Victorian-style mosaic floor tiles create a classic look in the hall.
Mosaic floor tiles, Topps Tiles.
Mosaic floor tiles, Topps Tiles.
A fusion of styles in the revamped first floor bathroom creates a striking look.
“It’s a bit of a mix!” says Jones. “Moroccan-style floor tiles with an almost colonial-style, Far Eastern washstand, then classic tiles elsewhere to set it off.”
The teak washstand is topped with a honed bluestone basin and matching top.
Stellar basin (now discontinued); teak washstand, both Mandarin Stone.
“It’s a bit of a mix!” says Jones. “Moroccan-style floor tiles with an almost colonial-style, Far Eastern washstand, then classic tiles elsewhere to set it off.”
The teak washstand is topped with a honed bluestone basin and matching top.
Stellar basin (now discontinued); teak washstand, both Mandarin Stone.
Decorative, glazed tiles create a feature floor in the bathroom, which is offset with classic white metro tiles and off-white paint on the walls.
Walls painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball. Baroque White/Blue decorative tiles; white gloss metro tiles, all Mandarin Stone.
Walls painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball. Baroque White/Blue decorative tiles; white gloss metro tiles, all Mandarin Stone.
The first floor bedroom has been redecorated in a palette of soothing naturals.
“We stripped off the plaster and skirting boards and then rewired, replastered and decorated the room. We installed a new floor, radiators and shutters,” explains Jones.
Bed, And So To Bed.
“We stripped off the plaster and skirting boards and then rewired, replastered and decorated the room. We installed a new floor, radiators and shutters,” explains Jones.
Bed, And So To Bed.
New, built-in wardrobes create masses of storage for a streamlined, clutter-free ambience. They were built in conjunction with Andrew Williams and painted in a stony grey.
Wardrobes painted in Dove Tale; walls painted in Skimming Stone, both Farrow & Ball.
Wardrobes painted in Dove Tale; walls painted in Skimming Stone, both Farrow & Ball.
The new staircase up to the loft conversion was a pretty straightforward job, according to Jones, and sits directly above the staircase from the ground to the first floor.
The light and airy loft conversion is now home to a new bedroom.
The large loft has space for a study area. “Originally, the intention was to create two bedrooms (one with an en suite), but in the end it was decided to make one larger bedroom with a separate area within to be used as a study,” Jones explains. “This was felt to be beneficial to the owners’ lifestyle, as they didn’t need an extra bedroom.”
The study is painted dark blue to separate it from the bedroom area.
Walls painted in Drawing Room Blue, Farrow & Ball.
Walls painted in Drawing Room Blue, Farrow & Ball.
One door leads into an en suite and the other to the landing and stairs.
A wall of built-in cupboards makes the most of an awkward-shaped ceiling. “This was the best way to use the space between the chimneys, and also to hide the boiler,” Jones says.
The en suite shower room is neat, compact and stylish.
“The space lent itself well to a shower, basin and toilet, so it wasn’t too difficult to design,” Jones says. “We also installed a sun tunnel to get some natural light in there and make sure it didn’t feel boxy.”
Amalfi Willow porcelain planks (now discontinued), Mandarin Stone.
What do you think of this extended Victorian terrace? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
“The space lent itself well to a shower, basin and toilet, so it wasn’t too difficult to design,” Jones says. “We also installed a sun tunnel to get some natural light in there and make sure it didn’t feel boxy.”
Amalfi Willow porcelain planks (now discontinued), Mandarin Stone.
What do you think of this extended Victorian terrace? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A professional couple and their dog
Location Earlsfield, London
Property A Victorian terrace
Size 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Designer Owain Jones of Battersea Builders
When they first bought their two-bedroom, one-bathroom Victorian terrace, the owners were desperate for more space and a more usable layout for day-to-day living.
“The main purpose of the rear extension was to increase space, maximise light and open up the back of the house from two smaller rooms into one larger area,” says Owain Jones. “We also increased space upstairs with a loft conversion, so the house now has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.”
There’s a separate living room at the front of the house, which was also completely stripped out, right back to the brick, and rewired, replumbed and replastered.
“We changed sash windows for double-glazed timber ones and replaced the gas fire with an open log fire and new mantelpiece,” Jones adds.
Shutters, Plantation Shutters.