Houzz Tours
My Houzz: An Extension Turns a Period Flat into a Spacious Home
Once dark, dated and cramped, this London flat is now welcoming and light-filled
When Kate and Paul O’Brien moved into their north London apartment, they had a clear vision of what needed to be done to get the light, spacious home they wanted. “The plan was always going to be extending at the back and into the side return, as the flat was very, very dark, compact and really run-down,” says Kate. “Our architect advised on the planning process, which at times was tricky because we are in a conservation area.”
The couple’s flat occupies the entire ground floor and the back half of the first floor, which was also extended. The other flat in the Victorian terrace takes up the front half of the first floor and all of the top floor.
The tiled slate flooring in the new kitchen continues outside to create a patio. Above, is the newly-extended main bedroom with shower room and roof terrace.
Urban Slate black brushed tiles, Fired Earth.
The tiled slate flooring in the new kitchen continues outside to create a patio. Above, is the newly-extended main bedroom with shower room and roof terrace.
Urban Slate black brushed tiles, Fired Earth.
This is what the back of the house originally looked like, and you can see the old extension where the main bathroom used to be.
“We built into the side return, but actually kept a small courtyard in the middle that now floods the original bedroom at the front of the flat and the new bedroom at the rear with light,” Kate says.
“We built into the side return, but actually kept a small courtyard in the middle that now floods the original bedroom at the front of the flat and the new bedroom at the rear with light,” Kate says.
The couple opted for a Tom Howley kitchen painted in pale grey with a mix of cup and knob handles, polished nickel hinges and a walnut veneer interior.
“Because we wanted to maximise the use of space we built the cupboards as high as we could so that we can put the rarely-used stuff right at the top,” says Kate.
“We looked at different coloured units and thought about having the island in a darker colour, but we wanted the kitchen to last and not just be a passing trend. We decided to add colour with our Le Creuset pans, cookbooks and pictures.”
Another big decision was where to put the hob – on the island or the back wall. “I love to cook and Paul loves to entertain,” says Kate. “I thought that the extraction might be better on the back wall, but I didn’t want to spend my life with my back to the room. The ceiling-mounted flush extractor works really well, which is a relief.”
Hartford kitchen painted in Tansy, Tom Howley. Yukon worktop, Silestone. Suffolk bar stools and Imperial nickel pendants, both Neptune. Appliances, Neff.
Discover how to add colour to a white kitchen
“Because we wanted to maximise the use of space we built the cupboards as high as we could so that we can put the rarely-used stuff right at the top,” says Kate.
“We looked at different coloured units and thought about having the island in a darker colour, but we wanted the kitchen to last and not just be a passing trend. We decided to add colour with our Le Creuset pans, cookbooks and pictures.”
Another big decision was where to put the hob – on the island or the back wall. “I love to cook and Paul loves to entertain,” says Kate. “I thought that the extraction might be better on the back wall, but I didn’t want to spend my life with my back to the room. The ceiling-mounted flush extractor works really well, which is a relief.”
Hartford kitchen painted in Tansy, Tom Howley. Yukon worktop, Silestone. Suffolk bar stools and Imperial nickel pendants, both Neptune. Appliances, Neff.
Discover how to add colour to a white kitchen
Part of the extension has a massive skylight, as ensuring the flat became airy and light-filled was a key requirement for the couple. “Our architect helped us to achieve this not only via the skylight, the bifold doors and even the courtyard, but also through clever lighting, such as concealed strips inserted into the skylight,” says Kate. “Even when the weather is shocking, I love the rain bouncing onto the skylight.”
The made-to-order dining table can be extended to seat up to 10 and has a concealed drawer for tablemats with a matching Tom Howley cup handle.
“I found the prints for 99p each on eBay,” says Kate. “They’re vintage travel posters from different places we’ve visited, and I put them in Habitat frames. I love the fact that they are colourful and reflect the bold pans and cookbooks on the shelf opposite.”
Bespoke dining table, Of Special Interest. Suffolk dining chairs, Neptune.
The made-to-order dining table can be extended to seat up to 10 and has a concealed drawer for tablemats with a matching Tom Howley cup handle.
“I found the prints for 99p each on eBay,” says Kate. “They’re vintage travel posters from different places we’ve visited, and I put them in Habitat frames. I love the fact that they are colourful and reflect the bold pans and cookbooks on the shelf opposite.”
Bespoke dining table, Of Special Interest. Suffolk dining chairs, Neptune.
The original cramped, dark kitchen, with door leading to the old main bathroom.
A view of the other end of the original kitchen, showing the old stairs that led up to the main bedroom.
A separate, compact utility room houses the laundry appliances to free up space in the kitchen. “As it’s a London flat, we were also keen to make the most of the storage space, and our architect was a huge help with that,” says Kate. “Not only did we manage to squeeze in this small but perfectly formed utility room downstairs, but our architect also fit in under-stair storage and recesses in the main bathroom.”
Find design ideas for utility rooms
Find design ideas for utility rooms
A neutral colour scheme ensures the living room is timeless and bright. “We loved the original flooring, fireplace and high ceilings when we first viewed the flat and that influenced us in trying to keep this room as traditional and in line with the age of the property as possible,” says Kate.
Walls painted in Pebble (now discontinued), Laura Ashley. Sofa, Lombok. Pendant and shutters, John Lewis.
Walls painted in Pebble (now discontinued), Laura Ashley. Sofa, Lombok. Pendant and shutters, John Lewis.
The revamped cloakroom is in the same place – near the front door. “A few of the mirrors are from Oliver Bonas and the others we just picked up at various independent shops,” says Kate.
Basin and WC, Burlington. Retro Metro tiles, Fired Earth.
Basin and WC, Burlington. Retro Metro tiles, Fired Earth.
This is the original ground floor bedroom. The couple simply redecorated, laid a new carpet and changed the radiators, electric sockets and door handles.
“This was our original bedroom before we undertook the work,” says Kate. “The French doors previously looked out onto the side return patio, but now look out onto the courtyard.” The third bedroom that was gained by extending also has access to the courtyard through French doors, which are just seen in this photo.
“This was our original bedroom before we undertook the work,” says Kate. “The French doors previously looked out onto the side return patio, but now look out onto the courtyard.” The third bedroom that was gained by extending also has access to the courtyard through French doors, which are just seen in this photo.
The main bedroom on the first floor of the flat is now accessed by this newly-built staircase, which has integrated storage.
The original spiral staircase was awkward and not very functional. “It was nigh on impossible to get any furniture upstairs, which we didn’t realise until we moved in!” says Kate.
“When the work was taking place we stayed with a friend. Only the living room was habitable, but it was stacked high with all of our furniture and by the end a lot of dust.”
“When the work was taking place we stayed with a friend. Only the living room was habitable, but it was stacked high with all of our furniture and by the end a lot of dust.”
The rejigged ground floor layout includes a large hallway in the middle of the house. The internal courtyard is accessed from here, as are both downstairs bedrooms.
Steps leading down to the kitchen, with the new central hallway just seen in the background.
The main bathroom on the ground floor was moved from the very back of the flat, directly off the kitchen in an old extension, to the middle of the flat next to the utility room.
“When we first viewed the flat, the bathroom was the one room that looked like it didn’t really need anything doing to it. It was relatively new and finished to a decent standard, but then after our first winter we discovered otherwise!” says Kate. “The extension was one-brick thick with no insulation, so while it looked nice, if you had a shower and it was cold outside, a thin layer of ice formed on the inside as it cooled down.” The layout of the new bathroom has allowed space for a bath and separate shower. “For the floor we were planning on a wood-effect ceramic tile, but then I spotted these patterned tiles in Fired Earth and loved them. I was a bit nervous about pattern in a small room, but it totally works and loads of people have commented on it.”
Shower, Burlington.
“When we first viewed the flat, the bathroom was the one room that looked like it didn’t really need anything doing to it. It was relatively new and finished to a decent standard, but then after our first winter we discovered otherwise!” says Kate. “The extension was one-brick thick with no insulation, so while it looked nice, if you had a shower and it was cold outside, a thin layer of ice formed on the inside as it cooled down.” The layout of the new bathroom has allowed space for a bath and separate shower. “For the floor we were planning on a wood-effect ceramic tile, but then I spotted these patterned tiles in Fired Earth and loved them. I was a bit nervous about pattern in a small room, but it totally works and loads of people have commented on it.”
Shower, Burlington.
The traditional-style bathroom is in keeping with the period of the house.
“We have electric underfloor heating and a dual-fuel towel rail, so it can be turned on independently in the summer,” says Kate.
Basin and taps, Burlington.
“We have electric underfloor heating and a dual-fuel towel rail, so it can be turned on independently in the summer,” says Kate.
Basin and taps, Burlington.
With space limited in the main bathroom, the architect suggested this clever storage nook. “We actually took inspiration for the tiling and colours from a bathroom we found on Houzz,” says Kate. “We originally wanted a freestanding bath but there wasn’t room, so to get the traditional look we went for floor-to-ceiling tiling metro-style tiles.”
Retro Metro tiles, Fired Earth.
Retro Metro tiles, Fired Earth.
The previous main bathroom.
A skylight at the top of the stairs is complemented by a bare bulb light fixture.
“We saw something similar in a very expensive shop and loved it,” explains Kate, “so we spent quite a bit of time shopping around to find one we liked at a better price. We eventually bought the squirrel bulbs separately at a good price, but together they look very similar to the expensive one!
Light fittings, Made.com.
“We saw something similar in a very expensive shop and loved it,” explains Kate, “so we spent quite a bit of time shopping around to find one we liked at a better price. We eventually bought the squirrel bulbs separately at a good price, but together they look very similar to the expensive one!
Light fittings, Made.com.
The upstairs main bedroom is over twice the size of the original thanks to the extension.
Every wall is painted in a rich indigo shade. “We thought about just having a feature wall in this colour,” says Kate. “But once we had seen the amount of light in the room with the window, bifold doors and skylights we decided to go for the colour throughout.” The skylights have remote-controlled blackout blinds and also rain sensors so they automatically close should the weather change.
Walls painted in Stiffkey Blue, Farrow & Ball.
Every wall is painted in a rich indigo shade. “We thought about just having a feature wall in this colour,” says Kate. “But once we had seen the amount of light in the room with the window, bifold doors and skylights we decided to go for the colour throughout.” The skylights have remote-controlled blackout blinds and also rain sensors so they automatically close should the weather change.
Walls painted in Stiffkey Blue, Farrow & Ball.
The original roof terrace was bigger, but as the couple also have a garden they felt it was worth losing some of the terrace to get a larger bedroom. “We now have a good-sized terrace and a much larger bedroom, which we are happy with,” says Kate.
The upstairs shower room is a new addition. “There was a long debate about having this as an en suite or a shower room next to the bedroom,” says Kate. “We decided a separate shower room was more versatile and could be used by guests. We also installed a ceiling speaker in here so we can listen to the radio while in the shower.”
Tiles, Fired Earth. Fixtures, Bathstore.
Tiles, Fired Earth. Fixtures, Bathstore.
The floorplans above show the new layout of the ground and first floors, while the ones below show the layout before the renovation.
What do you think of this extended London flat? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here Kate and Paul O’Brien, both lawyers
Location Highgate, north London
Property A flat in a Victorian terrace in a conservation area
Size 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and cloakroom
Architects Shinz Design Consultancy
Photos by Simon Kennedy
What Kate and Paul O’Brien have done to their ground and first-floor apartment is truly impressive. “By extending at the back and into the side return we added just over 45 sq m of space and managed to include an extra bedroom, so now we have three,” says Kate. “And by moving the bathroom from an old extension at the back to the middle of the flat, we were able to have a kitchen that opens directly on to the garden.” The new kitchen is about three times the size of the original one. “It’s the most improved room, along with our bedroom upstairs,” says Kate.