Houzz Tour: An Old Cottage Subtly Connects With Its New Extension
Careful planning ensured a light-filled modern addition sits harmoniously alongside a listed Georgian cottage
Some lateral thinking was needed when it came to transforming this Georgian cottage into a beautiful, spacious home. The listed building had been extended many years before, but the rooms were cramped and awkward.
The owners called in Robert Wilson of Granit Architects to help them maximise the space, but it needed more than just a room reconfiguration. Robert suggested replacing the old extension with a bright, glass-roofed pavilion. The key to making it work in the conservation area? Cleverly highlighting the contrast between the period building and its sleek, modern addition.
The owners called in Robert Wilson of Granit Architects to help them maximise the space, but it needed more than just a room reconfiguration. Robert suggested replacing the old extension with a bright, glass-roofed pavilion. The key to making it work in the conservation area? Cleverly highlighting the contrast between the period building and its sleek, modern addition.
The cottage, seen on the left of the black barn in this photo, had been extended decades before, but the layout wasn’t ideal. After long discussions with the owners and the conservation team, architect Robert Wilson came up with the idea of removing the old extension completely and building something lighter and more spacious in its place.
It was important in the conservation area to highlight the difference between the period building and any new additions, so Robert made this aspect a stunning part of his design.
A timber-clad extension now protrudes subtly to the rear of the cottage and Robert used contrasting materials on the extended section to differentiate it from the original building.
It was important in the conservation area to highlight the difference between the period building and any new additions, so Robert made this aspect a stunning part of his design.
A timber-clad extension now protrudes subtly to the rear of the cottage and Robert used contrasting materials on the extended section to differentiate it from the original building.
A glazed tunnel both separates and connects the new white and wood section to the older brick cottage. The tunnel, which has a glass roof partly supported by the barn on the left, leads from the street and then turns left into the house, where a glass pivot door welcomes visitors into the home.
Search for door companies near to you in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Search for door companies near to you in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
In the hall, an oak staircase hugs the side of the old section, and the wide opening on the first landing takes visitors to the traditional living area we saw earlier. To the right is the new ground-floor kitchen and living space.
“The flooring in the original cottage is oak, so the wood on the stairs helps the transition into the new space,” Robert says.
“The flooring in the original cottage is oak, so the wood on the stairs helps the transition into the new space,” Robert says.
The locally sourced sycamore cladding features both internally and externally.
Above the stairs is a bridge, which is made of timber boards. “The joiner worked meticulously to make sure they appear as one piece of wood,” Robert says.
Above the stairs is a bridge, which is made of timber boards. “The joiner worked meticulously to make sure they appear as one piece of wood,” Robert says.
Limestone flooring, sleek glazing and modern lighting all feature in the new extension. The polished interior flooring is matched by a matt version on the patio outside.
Sky-frame sliding doors, Cantifix. Stone worktop, Kitchen Architecture. Regent limestone flooring, Beswick Stone. Pendant lights, Holloways of Ludlow.
Sky-frame sliding doors, Cantifix. Stone worktop, Kitchen Architecture. Regent limestone flooring, Beswick Stone. Pendant lights, Holloways of Ludlow.
The kitchen is separated from the dining area by a large island. A higher breakfast bar section helps to hide the cooking zone from the rest of the room. Within the island is a wine fridge, storage and an integrated dishwasher.
The cabinets behind were custom-made to stretch the entire length of the wall. These accommodate two ovens, an integrated fridge-freezer and a larder cupboard.
The cabinets behind were custom-made to stretch the entire length of the wall. These accommodate two ovens, an integrated fridge-freezer and a larder cupboard.
There’s plenty of lighting in the room, including discreet downlights, pendants over the table, and LED strip lights tucked into the gap created by the soffit on the ceiling.
A glass balustrade along the staircase provides a view into the older part of the building.
A glass balustrade along the staircase provides a view into the older part of the building.
Next to the dining table is a comfy seating area, where the owners can relax with a view of the garden.
The end section of glazed ceiling continues up and over the room above. The glass is self cleaning to ensure it doesn’t need too much maintenance.
The end section of glazed ceiling continues up and over the room above. The glass is self cleaning to ensure it doesn’t need too much maintenance.
The view of the back of the house shows from a different angle how the glazing on the right runs up and over the home office above.
A cloakroom off the hallway has been fitted with a luxurious marble basin and a wall of sheet copper.
“We thought it would be nice to have something reflective in here without using tiles,” Robert says. “It goes really well with the black taps and marble veining.”
Marble basin, Mandarin Stone. Black taps, West One Bathrooms. Mixer tap, Arte Form. Copper sheeting, Metal Sheets.
“We thought it would be nice to have something reflective in here without using tiles,” Robert says. “It goes really well with the black taps and marble veining.”
Marble basin, Mandarin Stone. Black taps, West One Bathrooms. Mixer tap, Arte Form. Copper sheeting, Metal Sheets.
The ground floor plan shows how the new extension (on the right-hand side) and the old cottage are connected.
At the far end of the first floor landing, there’s a home office. A bespoke shelving and desk area has been built along one wall, with a window seat along the other.
At the far side of the study is the glazed section that continues from below. It follows the side wall and turns at a right angle to run above the desk area.
The master suite takes up the whole of the extension’s top floor, so Robert was able to include a bedroom, bathroom and dressing room for the couple up here.
A wall of glazing that wraps around the corner of the bedroom provides the owners with a calming treetop view. “The corner window opens,” Robert says. “There’s an invisible glass balustrade that ensures it’s safe. A second curtain is hidden behind the joinery, and the two can be pulled together at night.
Bedding, The White Company.
Bedding, The White Company.
There’s more glazing in the spacious bathroom, giving the couple a lovely view. “A voile blind can be pulled down for privacy,” Robert explains.
Formoso bath, Clearwater. Taps, Arte Form. Basin, Lusso Stone. Wood-effect porcelain floor tiles, CDS Tiling.
Formoso bath, Clearwater. Taps, Arte Form. Basin, Lusso Stone. Wood-effect porcelain floor tiles, CDS Tiling.
As well as the bath, the room is large enough for a double vanity unit and a walk-in shower.
Find local bathroom designers on Houzz.
Find local bathroom designers on Houzz.
To the left of the bathroom is a T-shaped dressing area, which is lined with wardrobes. Gaps in the external timber cladding bring rays of sun into the space while maintaining privacy.
The study can be seen at the top of the landing on this first floor plan, while the master suite is on the right.
“The [owners] were great clients who were open to new ideas and had some strong ones of their own,” Robert says. “And the amazing builders really got into the spirit of what we were trying to achieve.”
Tell us…
What do you like about this harmoniously extended period cottage? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
“The [owners] were great clients who were open to new ideas and had some strong ones of their own,” Robert says. “And the amazing builders really got into the spirit of what we were trying to achieve.”
Tell us…
What do you like about this harmoniously extended period cottage? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A retired couple with three grown-up children
Location East Sussex
Property A Grade II listed Georgian cottage
Size Four bedrooms and four bathrooms
Architect Robert Wilson at Granit Architects
The front entrance to the original part of this extended cottage leads straight into a traditional living area, while a glimpse through a wide opening to the left reveals a newer space beyond.
The central fireplace in this room was fitted with a new, wood-burning stove, but the structure and hearth were kept in place. Behind this is a study, with French windows that lead outdoors.