Houzz Tours
Room Tours
London Room Tour
Room Tour: A Modest Extension Creates Uplifting Garden Views
Building on at the back of this semi allowed an indoor-outdoor connection and sightlines from front door to garden
Swapping a dated kitchen for a modern, sociable and more open arrangement at the back of their home was high on the agenda for the couple who own this north London semi when they called in architectural designer James Lai. “The main objective, though,” James says, “was large bifolding doors and a connection with the garden.”
Before work began, the house had little in the way of a link to the rear garden. Views to the exterior from the kitchen were also restricted.
“The owners wanted to draw whoever comes into the hallway straight through to the extension,” James says. Now there are sightlines from the front door to the new room and the garden beyond. There isn’t a door between the hallway and the kitchen-diner, which keeps the layout open.
The dated hallway was also refurbished and, because it’s laid with the same flooring as the extension, the two spaces merge into a seamless whole.
The dated hallway was also refurbished and, because it’s laid with the same flooring as the extension, the two spaces merge into a seamless whole.
The old galley kitchen wasn’t designed to accommodate get-togethers.
The new layout is much more sociable, with a breakfast bar as well as the dining table.
Handleless cabinetry ensures the look is sleek and modern. The appliances are banked and located near to the hob and sink, keeping the work area practical. James chose shorter wall units to boost storage while keeping an open feel.
Handleless cabinetry ensures the look is sleek and modern. The appliances are banked and located near to the hob and sink, keeping the work area practical. James chose shorter wall units to boost storage while keeping an open feel.
‘We went through several iterations of where the kitchen could go during the build,” James says. “Putting it on the side wall created good views.”
The toaster and kettle are located together on a worksurface opposite the island, as a neat breakfast preparation area.
The table is sited close to the doors. “Positioning the table there connects diners with the garden,” James says.
The colour scheme of the new room was chosen to bring more light into the house. “It bounces off the pale coloured floor and kitchen units and surfaces,” James says.
The colour scheme of the new room was chosen to bring more light into the house. “It bounces off the pale coloured floor and kitchen units and surfaces,” James says.
A vertical column radiator continues the room’s smart aesthetic and clean lines.
Although sliding doors could have been used, bifolds – which can be stacked right back from the opening – were preferable for the extension. “With bifolds, there’s a bigger opening from kitchen to garden and, particularly if the house is narrower, they work better to maximise the indoor-outdoor connection,” James says.
The bifolds frame the view to the garden, with their black finish enhancing the effect. The colour is echoed in the black dining chairs and the legs of the bar stools.
The bifolds frame the view to the garden, with their black finish enhancing the effect. The colour is echoed in the black dining chairs and the legs of the bar stools.
James fitted the widest doors he could. “We pushed the width of the opening as much as possible,” he says. “We also pushed the height right up to the ceiling to maximise natural light and take advantage of the orientation of the back of the house, which is south-facing, so there’s lots of direct sunlight.”
The sunny position doesn’t overheat the extension, however. “The house is open-plan, so there’s good air circulation,” James says.
The sunny position doesn’t overheat the extension, however. “The house is open-plan, so there’s good air circulation,” James says.
The new room was part of a larger revamp the owners undertook. “It wasn’t just a matter of fitting a box at the back, but looking at the whole project holistically,” James says. This meant that, as well as building the extension, the couple had the garden landscaped, plus they converted an old garage (seen left) into a stylish summerhouse.
Before the new turf was laid, and the rest of the landscaping was completed, the garden appeared narrower, plus it was overlooked.
Browse garden designers in your area using the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Before the new turf was laid, and the rest of the landscaping was completed, the garden appeared narrower, plus it was overlooked.
Browse garden designers in your area using the Houzz Professionals Directory.
The new bench seating and beds at the back of the garden are opposite the bifold doors and lead the eye down the space.
The slatted fencing and tall trees provide privacy, while the white render on the beds links to the extension and new summerhouse, and creates a crisp finish. “Aesthetically, everything ties together,” James says.
The slatted fencing and tall trees provide privacy, while the white render on the beds links to the extension and new summerhouse, and creates a crisp finish. “Aesthetically, everything ties together,” James says.
The new summerhouse makes much better use of the former garage. “The space was used more as a storage room and was almost redundant,” James says. “We maximised the use of an existing structure.” Planning Permission was essential to convert the garage, however.
The finishes in the summerhouse connect it with the new extension.
Although a more elaborate extension was originally conceived, the final design is uncomplicated. “The most important aspect was to create internal floor space in the kitchen-diner,” James says. A smooth white rendered finish keeps the look simple, but distinguishes the new part of the house from the original.
A new patio was laid outside the extension. “The owners like to have people over for barbecues when the weather’s nice,” James says. “The patio creates a space where people can mingle and enjoy each others’ company.”
Tell us…
What do you like best about this crisp contemporary extension? Let us know in the Comments section.
A new patio was laid outside the extension. “The owners like to have people over for barbecues when the weather’s nice,” James says. “The patio creates a space where people can mingle and enjoy each others’ company.”
Tell us…
What do you like best about this crisp contemporary extension? Let us know in the Comments section.
Who lives here? A professional couple
Location Enfield, north London
Property An early 1900s semi-detached house with three bedrooms and one bathroom
Room dimensions 35 sq m
Designer James Lai of JLArchitecture
Photos by Tibor Silva
“The homeowners wanted a large, open-plan kitchen-diner – a space where family and friends can socialise and catch up,” James says.