Houzz Tour: A Three-storey 'Bungalow' in Buckinghamshire
The owners of this three-storey house in Beaconsfield came up with a creative way around local planning restrictions
Natalie Wain
2 March 2015
UK-based Houzz contributor.
I've been writing for the national press in Britain for almost 10 years and my most recent post was as the News Editor at Housetohome.co.uk.
These days I can usually be found hunched over my dining room table (which I've commandeered as my office) where I scribble away for a number of UK-based publications, including Homes & Gardens, The Telegraph, metro.co.uk and This is Money, among others.
I'm a bit of a jack of all trades but hopefully master of some.
And, in case you're wondering, I'd describe my interior style is brave, bold and eclectic. That's not to say I don't love a gleaming white wall... but I can't resist an accessory or two.
As the glorious Vivienne Westwood once said, 'when in doubt, overdress...'
UK-based Houzz contributor.
I've been writing for the national press in Britain... More
A south-facing plot of land at the end of a quiet lane in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, provided property developers Amber Valentine and partner Howard Reay with the perfect opportunity to flex their respective design muscles. What they didn’t bank on, however, were protracted wranglings with the local authorities over their plans for the coveted site in the heart of commuter land.
‘We bought the plot in 2012 with permission to build a one-bedroom bungalow, but we always intended to extend this,’ explains Amber. Strict planning regulations meant the couple were unable to widen the footprint on the ground floor, so they applied to extend down into the basement and up into the loft. ‘We eventually secured the basement plans, but it was only after an appeal that we managed to win the roof application. It was an enormous boost.’
The cleverly designed basement – courtesy of Howard – is flooded with light from the generous garden. The open-plan layout has a modern feel, but with traditional details, such as the cornicing and bespoke furniture from Amber’s own range. ‘It’s an odd mix of contemporary and traditional, but it all comes together very harmoniously,’ she explains. ‘It’s not the grandest house we’ve worked on, but in many ways it’s just perfect.’
‘We bought the plot in 2012 with permission to build a one-bedroom bungalow, but we always intended to extend this,’ explains Amber. Strict planning regulations meant the couple were unable to widen the footprint on the ground floor, so they applied to extend down into the basement and up into the loft. ‘We eventually secured the basement plans, but it was only after an appeal that we managed to win the roof application. It was an enormous boost.’
The cleverly designed basement – courtesy of Howard – is flooded with light from the generous garden. The open-plan layout has a modern feel, but with traditional details, such as the cornicing and bespoke furniture from Amber’s own range. ‘It’s an odd mix of contemporary and traditional, but it all comes together very harmoniously,’ she explains. ‘It’s not the grandest house we’ve worked on, but in many ways it’s just perfect.’
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Amber Valentine and partner Howard Reay lived in the house until recently and now rent it out
Location Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
Year built Completed in 2013
Designer Amber Valentine and Howard Reay of Amber Valentine Interiors and Zodiac Design
Size 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Amber says the house is something of a Tardis. ‘Essentially, it’s still a bungalow, but once people step inside, they’re always amazed by how much space there is. Externally, it’s not the house we would have chosen to build because of the planning restrictions, but we’ve managed to create something very special.’
The land the house is built on was previously someone’s back garden, and is conveniently situated at the bottom of a tiny lane just moments from the local high street. ‘It really is the perfect location,’ says Amber, ‘close to all the local amenities, but nice and secluded.’
Who lives here Amber Valentine and partner Howard Reay lived in the house until recently and now rent it out
Location Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
Year built Completed in 2013
Designer Amber Valentine and Howard Reay of Amber Valentine Interiors and Zodiac Design
Size 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Amber says the house is something of a Tardis. ‘Essentially, it’s still a bungalow, but once people step inside, they’re always amazed by how much space there is. Externally, it’s not the house we would have chosen to build because of the planning restrictions, but we’ve managed to create something very special.’
The land the house is built on was previously someone’s back garden, and is conveniently situated at the bottom of a tiny lane just moments from the local high street. ‘It really is the perfect location,’ says Amber, ‘close to all the local amenities, but nice and secluded.’
A large light well helps to give the basement hallway a bright, airy feel. ‘It doesn’t look like a basement at all, it’s so bright,’ says Amber. ‘For a successful basement, you need a big garden, as it makes the internal space work so much better.’
Wide open spaces and clean, sleek finishes greet you in the open-plan kitchen-diner. ‘It’s triple aspect, so you get the morning and evening sun in this part of the house,’ says Amber. The custom-built kitchen features smooth cabinetry with handleless doors for a minimalist finish. Strips of mirrored glass behind the cupboard openings add a dash of understated glamour.
Kitchen, Zodiac Design.
Check out more design ideas for open-plan living
Kitchen, Zodiac Design.
Check out more design ideas for open-plan living
Glossy marble worktops and dark-stained timber flooring enhance the elegant feel in this part of the house. ‘It’s a lovely spacious room, so we didn’t want anything to interrupt the flow,’ explains Amber. Even the extractor fan sits flush to the ceiling and drops down when in use. ‘It’s a wonderful design and feels less intrusive than traditional fans.’
Amber is no slave to minimalism, however. A classic French-style cabinet takes centre stage in another corner of the room. ‘I love to mix antiques with contemporary pieces,’ she explains. ‘It feels more homely.’
Gas hob, Barazza. Extractor fan, Airone.
Amber is no slave to minimalism, however. A classic French-style cabinet takes centre stage in another corner of the room. ‘I love to mix antiques with contemporary pieces,’ she explains. ‘It feels more homely.’
Gas hob, Barazza. Extractor fan, Airone.
When it comes to interiors, Amber is a stickler for detail. Just off the living room, the elegant hallway features a bespoke staircase with a dark-painted handrail, while the windows have been dressed with silk curtains lined in vibrant turquoise. ‘White linings are boring – it’s nice to have a bright colour showing, particularly at the front of the house,’ she explains.
Silk curtain fabric, James Hare.
Silk curtain fabric, James Hare.
The classic living room is furnished with a mix of antiques and bespoke furniture from Amber’s own range. The walls and skirting boards, meanwhile, have been painted in a blend of colours mixed by the designer. ‘I mix and match, depending on the light in the room and the effect I want to create,’ she explains.
As with the kitchen appliances, Amber was keen to set the family TV into the wall for a polished, seamless look. ‘I really don’t like TVs sticking out. We created a recess in the wall for a much more elegant finish.’
As with the kitchen appliances, Amber was keen to set the family TV into the wall for a polished, seamless look. ‘I really don’t like TVs sticking out. We created a recess in the wall for a much more elegant finish.’
‘This is the Harry Potter staircase room,’ says Amber of the versatile dining room/office. The evening sun pours through the floor-to-ceiling windows in this part of the house, enhanced by the warm glow emanating from strips of LED uplighters concealed in the cornicing. The bespoke staircase leads to the bedrooms above the garage.
Dining chairs and French-style console table, Amber’s own range. Sofa, India Jane.
Dining chairs and French-style console table, Amber’s own range. Sofa, India Jane.
Amber chose to embrace the darkness of the downstairs cloakroom and went for smoky green walls paired with a glossy grey marble worktop. She also chose glamorous lighting. ‘Every small space should have a chandelier,’ she says.
‘I always advise people to be creative when it comes to decorating their downstairs loo. I think it should be a glamorous space and, because it’s small, it’s easy and cheap to give it a little wow factor.’
Chandelier, India Jane.
Explore 12 classic bathroom ideas that won’t date
‘I always advise people to be creative when it comes to decorating their downstairs loo. I think it should be a glamorous space and, because it’s small, it’s easy and cheap to give it a little wow factor.’
Chandelier, India Jane.
Explore 12 classic bathroom ideas that won’t date
The yoga and ballet studio in the basement benefits from natural light from two light wells. ‘There are two bedrooms either side with adjoining little gardens. The light from the gardens feeds into the yoga room, so during the day it’s a lovely, bright space,’ explains Amber.
When the sun goes down, LED strip lighting in the ceiling soffit provides a soft, gentle glow in the minimal space. ‘We’ve kept this room very simple,’ says Amber ‘The unit at the far end is upcycled and I had the flowers painted on.’
When the sun goes down, LED strip lighting in the ceiling soffit provides a soft, gentle glow in the minimal space. ‘We’ve kept this room very simple,’ says Amber ‘The unit at the far end is upcycled and I had the flowers painted on.’
Up in the eaves, the master bedroom is a serene space. ‘It’s like a cocoon,’ says Amber. ‘On paper, I wasn’t very enamoured with it, but the restrictive headroom only serves to make it even more cosy.’ Sparkly cushions and a tactile faux fur bed throw add a hint of glamour.
See 10 glamorous sleep spaces with movie star quality
See 10 glamorous sleep spaces with movie star quality
Amber chose rich, textural fabrics in soft blues to add depth to the master bedroom scheme, with hints of contrasting red. ‘The bedside lampshades are lined with dark red velvet. They give off a lovely warm glow – it’s very sophisticated,’ she says.
Chair fabric, Linwood. Bespoke cushions, James Brindley. Bedside lamps, Amber’s furniture range.
Chair fabric, Linwood. Bespoke cushions, James Brindley. Bedside lamps, Amber’s furniture range.
The spacious en-suite bathroom doubles as a dressing room, with a row of mirrored cupboards providing plenty of hanging space for extra clothes. Much like the rest of the house, there are plenty of characterful flourishes in here, such as the tassels used as doorknobs and a retro sunburst light in the his ’n’ her shower. ‘It’s all very zen,’ says Amber.
While the designer has splurged on some aspects in the house, other items have been given a clever makeover to enhance their appearance. ‘The huge plastic bath was relatively cheap, but we had it spray-painted for a more sophisticated, “expensive” look,’ she explains.
While the designer has splurged on some aspects in the house, other items have been given a clever makeover to enhance their appearance. ‘The huge plastic bath was relatively cheap, but we had it spray-painted for a more sophisticated, “expensive” look,’ she explains.
‘There are eight sets of bifold doors in the house, so there’s a wonderful connection to the outdoors,’ Amber explains. ‘Everything can be opened up in summer, which makes the house feel even more spacious than it is.’
One of two south-facing bedrooms in the basement is flooded with natural light. ‘This room was intended for a child, but I’ve kept it neutral so it can be accessorised,’ explains the designer.
‘The garden isn’t very big, but it’s fabulous,’ insists Amber. ‘Outdoor space is at a premium in Beaconsfield, but we’ve managed to fit in a decent-sized lawn as well as a patio area.’
Elegant black cornicing with a timber surround, distressed roof tiles and carefully chosen bricks elevate the property from an average new build into a smart, desirable home with plenty of kerb appeal. ‘By spending more money and choosing better-quality materials, we’ve created a smart-looking house that has character,’ says Amber. All of the dormer windows are clad in lead and wisteria growing at the front of the house gives it a more mature look.
Discreet solar panels on the roof, meanwhile, provide all the hot water the property needs.
Elegant black cornicing with a timber surround, distressed roof tiles and carefully chosen bricks elevate the property from an average new build into a smart, desirable home with plenty of kerb appeal. ‘By spending more money and choosing better-quality materials, we’ve created a smart-looking house that has character,’ says Amber. All of the dormer windows are clad in lead and wisteria growing at the front of the house gives it a more mature look.
Discreet solar panels on the roof, meanwhile, provide all the hot water the property needs.
TELL US…
What do you think of this Beaconsfield home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
What do you think of this Beaconsfield home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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That library full of books with a staircase going up the middle.... Wonderful!!! :-) I'm just having my own bookcases built in because the originals, although they looked great, weren't up to the weight of the books. I wish I could have all those extra shelves with a staircase up the middle!
I could not believe this is a bungalow!
Ingenious, stunning architectural and interior designs.
A mixture of classical and modernity.