Room Tour: A Newly Extended Home Gets an Open-plan Makeover
A family's open-plan ground floor is divided into four distinct zones to create a comfortable and sociable living space
The owners of this detached property in Hampshire had a big renovation project on their hands, so they hired Tricia Findlay of Tricia Carroll Designs to help with the planning and layout of their newly extended ground floor. The rooms were previously small and disconnected, so the couple had worked with a building team to create a big and more sociable open-plan space. The end result is seriously impressive.
Wide pan drawers were put in the island as it’s also home to the hob. The kitchen installers needed more space for the recessed extractor, so a dropped ceiling was fitted. “We added some LED lighting in the shadow gap of the ceiling,” says Findlay, “which is mirrored around the island, between the worktop and the base units.”
Spotlights give more illumination, as do the wall lights and undercounter LEDs. Findlay also suggested some hammered copper pendants to form a design feature above the island. By having such a varied lighting scheme the family have plenty of options, depending on the time of day and what they are doing.
Pendants, Original BTC. Settecento porcelain floor tiles, Evoke Kitchens & Bathrooms.
Spotlights give more illumination, as do the wall lights and undercounter LEDs. Findlay also suggested some hammered copper pendants to form a design feature above the island. By having such a varied lighting scheme the family have plenty of options, depending on the time of day and what they are doing.
Pendants, Original BTC. Settecento porcelain floor tiles, Evoke Kitchens & Bathrooms.
“The clients wanted a streamlined white kitchen,” says Findlay. “I suggested they add a different colour to warm it up, so we chose a glass splashback that we matched as closely as possible to the blue island unit.”
The composite worktops complete the sleek look. “The clients had chosen three and asked me to go along and look at them,” says Findlay. “We all agreed that this was the best one, as it was less plain but with not too much detail.”
Cimstone® quartz worktop in Lapland, Evoke Kitchens & Bathrooms. Ravello wall lights, Astro Lighting.
The composite worktops complete the sleek look. “The clients had chosen three and asked me to go along and look at them,” says Findlay. “We all agreed that this was the best one, as it was less plain but with not too much detail.”
Cimstone® quartz worktop in Lapland, Evoke Kitchens & Bathrooms. Ravello wall lights, Astro Lighting.
An informal seating area at the end of the kitchen provides a comfy place for guests and family to relax while someone is cooking. Bifold doors and a glazed panel provide a lovely view of the secluded garden.
“The bifold doors have curtains to counteract the glare on the TV,” says Findlay. “I installed a curved curtain track to connect the two glazed areas and a Roman blind on the other window.” A roof light also floods the space with natural daylight.
“The bifold doors have curtains to counteract the glare on the TV,” says Findlay. “I installed a curved curtain track to connect the two glazed areas and a Roman blind on the other window.” A roof light also floods the space with natural daylight.
The pale colour scheme is brightened up with vibrant cushions and curtains. “We went for a glass coffee table to keep a sense of space,” says Findlay.
The clients were keen to have this electric fireplace and Findlay says, “I suggested they went for a larger size so it didn’t look out of proportion.”
Radiance glass electric fire, Stovax & Gazco. Sofa, Love Your Home. Soft furnishings fabric, Casamance.
The clients were keen to have this electric fireplace and Findlay says, “I suggested they went for a larger size so it didn’t look out of proportion.”
Radiance glass electric fire, Stovax & Gazco. Sofa, Love Your Home. Soft furnishings fabric, Casamance.
This dining area and the informal seating area at the end of the kitchen are located in the rear single-storey extension the clients added. “It used to be an old conservatory,” says Findlay. “They knocked it down and this rear extension was added. The clients are keen on entertaining, so they wanted a large table,” says Findlay. This one fits eight chairs around it and can be extended to seat 12 people.
The wall of bifold doors are fitted with a six-metre curtain track and wave-headed curtains. “They stack back and don’t take up too much space on the walls,” explains Findlay. “The fabric is available in a double width, which is a more cost-effective option for such a large window.”
Dining furniture, Vale Furnishers.
The wall of bifold doors are fitted with a six-metre curtain track and wave-headed curtains. “They stack back and don’t take up too much space on the walls,” explains Findlay. “The fabric is available in a double width, which is a more cost-effective option for such a large window.”
Dining furniture, Vale Furnishers.
The clients were keen to extend their living area into the pretty secluded garden, so a deck made from a composite material was put in. “It looks lovely and stays the same colour,” says Findlay.
The formal living area is part of the original building and was previously linked to the conservatory. A soft colour scheme of grey, blue and mauve gives this room a calm feel.
Sofas, Love Your Home. Ribbon table lamps, Porta Romana.
Discover ideas for zoning your open-plan space
Sofas, Love Your Home. Ribbon table lamps, Porta Romana.
Discover ideas for zoning your open-plan space
The living area is tucked behind the dining zone.
From the rear of the house you can see how the open-plan ground floor connects to the outside space.
The floor plan shows the layout of the open-plan ground floor.
What do you think of this open-plan cooking-living-dining area? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
What do you think of this open-plan cooking-living-dining area? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here A professional couple with their three children
Location Petersfield, Hampshire
Property A detached house with secluded garden
Size of open-plan living space An 80 sq m extension was added to an existing space of 28 sq m
Designer Tricia Findlay of Tricia Carroll Designs
The kitchen area was created by building a double-height side extension where the garage used to be. Findlay helped her clients to get initial ideas for the scheme in the cookspace. They then went to Evoke Kitchens & Bathrooms in Petersfield, who spent time with the family finding out exactly what they wanted the space to achieve and came up with the perfect design to suit their exact needs.
A bank of floor-to-ceiling units takes up the entire back wall, and was the best place to house the double oven and concealed fridge-freezer. They also decided on just one run of units and worktop to prevent the open-plan space looking cluttered.
Mackintosh kitchen painted in Gloss White and Steel Blue, Evoke Kitchens & Bathrooms. Walls painted in 49GG 77/014, Dulux.
Planning a side extension? Find out more in our beginner’s guide