Dvferergegdgdffey

March 2017

REALHOMES.CO.UK

TRANSFORM YOUR KITCHEN EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE EXTENDING

NEW SEASON TRENDS WHY GREEN IS THE COLOUR OF 2017

EXPERT ANSWERS How can I add a side-return extension?

What are the benefits of using a kitchen designer?

How do I tender for a builder for my project?

BEFORE +AFTER

55 feb cover 2.indd 1

PAGES OF AMAZING HOME TRANSFORMATIONS

DREAM BATHROOMS How to plan a practical and relaxing space

PICTURE PERFECT 10 WOW-FACTOR FEATURE WINDOWS

13/01/2017 10:03

Doors for every personality and property Unlock your home’s true potential with the new Origin Residential Door, where aesthetics and performance are innovatively combined.

Tailor-made to your specific requirements, you’ll be able to choose from a vast range of striking panels, styles and colours, whilst in the comfort of it being manufactured from a premium grade aluminium with a Thermimax core for an ultra-secure and thermally efficient performance.

Because first impressions matter. . .

GUARANTEE

150 RAL COLOURS

35 PANEL

ERMA TH

BRITAIN

ERFO LP

ANCE RM

20 YEAR

MADE IN

CHOICES

For your nearest showroom, please call 0808 168 5816, email info@origin-global.com or visit origin-global.com

Covers.indd 1

12/01/2017 15:57

Doors Covers.indd 2

Windows

Blinds 12/01/2017 15:57

10 YEAR WARRANTY

SMOKE EXEMPT

AIRWASH SYSTEM

MULTI FUEL

DIRECT AIR OPTION

Oakdale - 5 Kw

Our Smoke Exempt stoves are a breath of fresh air!

MULTI FUEL

MULTI FUEL

MULTI FUEL

Rowandale - 5 Kw

Neo 3C - 5 Kw

Our range of multifuel and woodburning stoves are engineered for a lifetime of dependable service and are certified as Smoke Exempt meaning you can now burn wood in smoke controlled areas.

To find out more about our full range of cast iron and steel stoves, please contact us today or visit our website.

10 YEAR WARRANTY

Malvern - 5 Kw

WOOD BURNER

Larchdale - 9 Kw

Tel: 0121 706 8266 enquiries@acrheatproducts.co.uk www.acrheatproducts.co.uk Please scan the code with your mobile device for further information.

All of our stoves feature a 10 Year Warranty Subject to Terms and Conditions. Please visit our website for more information.

4-54.indd 4

12/01/2017 15:58

EDITOR’S

LETTER Welcome to your March issue, packed with ideas, inspiration and expert advice to help you transform your home.

If you’re planning a new kitchen extension, turn to page 87 for all you need to know before you start.

And even if you’re not extending, we’ve got a handy guide to creating a practical new utility room, which you’ll find from page 101.

If your bathroom is in need of updating, head to page 123 for essential advice on creating a stylish new space that also functions perfectly for you and your family.

New windows are a big investment, but can make a huge difference to your home – find out about new glazing and what you can do to make the most of the views from your property on page 105.

I’d love to hear about the projects you’re planning this year, and what information you’d like Real Homes to provide to help make them a success – get in touch via Twitter, Facebook or by emailing us at real.homes@centaurmedia.com.

COLOUR POP Above Add a burst of colour to your kitchen with this bright pendant – find it on page 60

ELEGANT MIX I love this family home with its bright colours and antique furniture – see more on page 18

BOLD LOOK Above To plan a bathroom that’s both beautiful and practical, head to page 123

For more inspiration, follow us on instagram @real_homes

NEW SPACES Below If you’re thinking of adding a kitchen extension, don’t miss our in-depth guide, from page 87

Caron Bronson, Editor @RealHomesEd

FOLLOW REAL HOMES ON

realhomes.co.uk Visit the Real Homes website every day for essential advice, stunning home transformations and design inspiration – and get involved by uploading your own ideas and projects FEBRUARY 2017

EDIT LETTER.indd 5

5

03/01/2017 09:48

ON THE COVER 18 87 105 114 123 134

30

Home transformations Extend your kitchen Statement windows New-season trends Perfect bathrooms Expert answers

81

14

60

CASE STUDIES 18 Timeless family home Discover how interior designer Anna Haines transformed an Edwardian house into a vibrant family home

30 Remodelled townhouse Find out how Mel and Simon Massey have adapted their London townhouse to suit their family’s changing needs

40 Edwardian house redesign Julia and Ryan Dean created their dream home after swapping city centre living for a more peaceful setting, plus shop striking sideboards

48 Industrial kitchen extension Take a look inside Annie and Ollie Browning’s kitchen extension to see how they’ve created a cool, industrial-style family living space

56 Colourful kitchen-diner See how Nic and Matthew Hardcastle used bold shades and patterns to add retro-style personality to their extended kitchen 6

IDEAS 62 Reimagined kitchen Writer Jo Whitson thought inside the box to reimagine her existing kitchen, rather than extend, plus shop on-trend brass furnishings

70 Stylish bedroom makeover Julia Boiko gave a tired bedroom and dressing area a new lease of life with pops of colour and pattern, plus shop the latest mustard pieces

76 Bold bathroom redesign Lynn-Marie Welch and Ian Hardwood have turned their master suite into a show-stopping space combining modern and classical influences

82 Radical rebuild See how a 1950s bungalow was transformed into a modern twostorey home with statement glazing

84 Striking addition Discover how a contemporary and angular kitchen extension totally transformed a four-bedroom semi-detached house in Lewisham

87 Guide to kitchen extensions A kitchen extension is a huge investment to your home and can add significant value – here’s how to make sure you get it right

101 Create a utility room A utility room is a great way to keep appliances separate from your living spaces – find out how to create one, even if you’re not extending

105 Feature windows Frame your views and create an architectural statement by investing in bespoke windows for your home transformation

123 Plan your dream bathroom Discover how to update your existing space or create a new one with advice from luxury bathroom designer, Barbara Sallick

114 Forever green With Greenery named Pantone’s Colour of 2017, take your cues from nature with lush shades for the home

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

MAR Contents.indd 6

13/01/2017 11:41

QA

Expert advice for your home transformation dilemmas

&

147

134 What should I consider before adding a side-return extension?

Tips and guidance from expert renovator Michael Holmes

139 How do I tender for the right builder for my renovation?

Renovator and author Jason Orme on hiring tradespeople

141 What do I need to think about before replacing my windows?

Self-builder Sian Astley advises on updating your glazing

EVERY MONTH 10 Hotlist Keep up to date with the latest home transformation ideas

111 SAVE! Take advantage of 20 per cent off Sharps’ fitted bedroom furniture

143 What should I look out for when sourcing Mid-Century pieces?

Interiors writer Kate Beavis reveals how to spot a classic

145 When is it worth working with a kitchen designer?

Designer Jane Powell on how professionals can help

113 Exclusive discount Save 20 per cent at Pash Living

133 Sneak preview Your first look at the April 2017 issue

147 What are the key bathroom tile trends for 2017?

Bathroom designer Martina Landhed on the latest looks

153 Stockists Where to find all the products and services mentioned in this issue

162 Face to face with Sabina Miller

149 How can I prevent my planning application from being refused?

Heal’s head of home on setting trends, her ambitions and inspirations March 2017

BEFORE +AFTER

55

IS WHY GREEN THE COLOUR OF 2017

DREAMMS ROO BATH practical to plan a How relaxing space and

151

Should I match or contrast finishes on a home extension?

Architectural designer Greg Toon shares his knowledge

03

£3.90

PICTURE PERFECT

ACTOR S 10 WOW-F E WINDOW FEATUR

406233 9 771464

I add a How can n extension? of side-retur the benefits designer?

What are using a kitchen for a I tenderproject?

How do for my builder

When you subscribe to Real Homes, plus 12 issues for £30 – see page 99

NEW SEASON TRENDS

HING YOU EVERYT KNOW NEED TO EXTENDING BEFORE

EXPERT S ANSWER

O.UK REALHOMES.C

FREE GIFT

OR M TR ANSF YOURHEN KITC

Architect Hugo Tugman advises on getting plans passed

PAGES OF G HOME AMAZIN ORMATIONS TRANSF

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

MAR Contents.indd 7

7

16/01/2017 09:25

4-54.indd 8

12/01/2017 15:58

Editorial Brand Editor Content Editor Chief Content Sub Editor / Content Producer Interim Homes Editor Homes Editor Content Producer

Caron Bronson Laura Crombie Alison Jones Lindsay Blair Anna Morley Amelia Smith

Art Head of Art Senior Art Editor Designer With thanks to

Real

REALHOMES.CO.UK

More Space. More Light. More Wow!

HOMES JOIN US ONLINE

Billy Peel Emily Smith Karen Lawson Sarah Overs

Marketing and subscriptions Head of Marketing Group Marketing Manager Direct Marketing Manager Senior Marketing Executive Marketing Executive Marketing Executive Subscriptions Manager Customer Services

Melanie Kay 01527 834452 Eve Mulvaney 01527 834445 Anjuman Tariq 01527 834493 Helen Troth 01527 834483 Vicki Lees 01527 834409 Alicia Maragh 01527 834402 Alex Worthington 01527 834435 Jayne Everton 01527 834484

Advertising and exhibitions sales Print & Digital Sales Director Jackie Sanders 01527 834426 jackie.sanders@centaurmedia.com Print & Digital Sales Manager Rebecca Vincze 01527 834415 rebecca.vincze@centaurmedia.com Key Account Manager Debra Greer 01527 834424 debra.greer@centaurmedia.com Key Account Manager Lucinda Clarke 01527 834404 lucinda.clarke@centaurmedia.com Key Account Manager Helen Fox 01527 834491 helen.fox@centaurmedia.com Account Manager Elena Gill 01527 834494 elena.gill@centaurmedia.com Account Manager Kelly James 01527 834471 kelly.james@centaurmedia.com Business Development Manager Keri O’Connor 01527 834472 keri.oconnor@centaurmedia.com Exhibitions Sales Director Hellen Roche 01527 834418 hellen.roche@centaurmedia.com

Magazine and digital production Head of Production Digital Manager Email Production Manager Print & Digital Production Executive Digital Production Executive Production Assistant

Bill Griffiths Tom Burbridge David Lloyd Alice Sullivan Nicholas Robertson Aimee Bradley-Davies

Thinking of extending your home?

Find out whether you’ll need planning permission by using the FREE interactive tool at realhomes.co.uk/ do-I-need-planning-permission.

Simply select your house type and the kind of extension you’d love, and it will reveal whether you need to apply for planning permission or not.

SOCIAL MEDIA

If you’ve completed your own home transformation, search ‘Real Homes’ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest to share your photos with the Real Homes team. While you’re there, follow @RealHomes for the latest news, advice and inspiration.

Realhomes.co.uk Head of Digital Email Delivery Manager Web Operations Manager Senior Web Editor Web Editor Video Producer Social Media Editor

Gill Dawson Alison Nash Laura Sturgess Lindsey Davis Jacob Ingram Matt Gibbs Sarah Handley

Real

HOMES

Follow the team on Twitter

Publishing and exhibitions management Managing Director Deputy Managing Director Director of Content & Product Development Editorial Director Executive Assistant

Steve Newbold Nick Noble Michael Holmes Jason Orme Zoe Beeston 01527 834477

PHOTOGRAPH ADAM CARTER

Brand Editor Caron Bronson @RealHomesEd

Real Homes is published by Centaur Home Interest Media, a division of Centaur Media Plc. 2 Sugar Brook Court, Aston Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B60 3EX Tel: 01527 834400 Fax: 01527 834497 Email: realhomes@centaur.co.uk Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published in Real Homes, the publishers can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Readers are welcome to send in information about their projects, but no guarantee can be made of the safe return of unsolicited text or photographs. Copyright for all materials published in Real Homes remains with the publishers. Designed using Macintosh computers. Printed by William Gibbons & Sons. Distributed

by Marketforce. Real Homes © 2017 published monthly. ISSN 1464 - 4061

Homes Editor Lindsay Blair @Lindsays_home

Content Editor Laura Crombie @Laura_Crombie

Senior Art Editor Emily Smith @EmilyS_Home

NEXT ISSUE ON SALE

23 February realhomesmagazine.co.uk MARCH 2015

F/PANEL 2.indd 9

9

03/01/2017 09:49

Real Homes

HOTLIST Keep up to date with the latest home transformation ideas and decorating trends COMPILED BY RACHEL OGDEN

Build your own chandelier

1

Create a dramatic feature light with Plumen’s modular chandeliers. Each combines a multicable ceiling rose, bulbs and shades with spacers to build a frame that holds the cables in place. Easy to assemble, they’re available in Black, Brass, Copper or White. You can also buy a complete Chandelier Set, which come in Drop Cap, Drop Top and Drop Hat styles, from £199. The Chandelier Kit, which includes a three- or four-way multi-cable ceiling rose in steel, and matching spacers in steel and aluminium, costs from £45. The spacers are also available in sets of three or four from £25.

Left Threeway Drop Hat chandelier in Brass. Above Plumen threeway Drop Top chandelier in Black

For more inspiration, follow us on instagram @real_homes

2

FINE FINISHES FOR THE KITCHEN

Want your kitchen to have real wow factor?

Then choose some of the new finishes

by Rational to add an understated yet luxe feel to your space. Here, units in Indigo super-matt lacquer and Gold-effect laminate have been used for the cubicinspired Atmos kitchen, with the contrasting colours emphasising the design’s clean lines and symmetry. Gold highlights on the Dekton Marmor Black Fusion worktop add extra impact. The Atmos range starts from about £12,000.

10

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

HOTLIST mar.indd 10

11/01/2017 17:12

Fabulous new tile designs Play with pattern on your walls and floors with Bisazza’s new tile collection.

The company has launched its first range of decorative oak tiles, which come in five colours – Sugar, Cherry, Pearl, Denim and Mint – in addition to the existing Wood tiles palette. Its in-house team has created new patterns composed of rectangular, hexagonal, square and herringbone shapes. It’s also launching decorative mosaic tiles in florals, tartans and block colours. Prices start from £345.60 per square metre. ➤

Floral polychrome oak wood parquet

by Kiki van Eijk, from £345.60 per m2, Bisazza

HOTLIST mar.indd 11

11/01/2017 10:52

INTEREST FREE CREDIT

SAVE

0%

£630

APR

WAS £2629

REPRESENTATIVE

NOW £1999

At Saxon, we take great pride in every single piece of furniture we make, which is why each sofa and chair is hand-crafted to order. Combining carefully seasoned beech hardwood frames, with the finest leathers and fabrics and traditional British craftsmanship, means that our furniture is built to last.

OVER 900 REVIEWS

4-54.indd 12

View our full collection at www.SofasbySaxon.com Brochure Freephone 0800 029 4937 Quote REAL52F

12/01/2017 15:58

4

Decorate with ith clashing colours olours

Crown Paints says 2017 17 will see walls bursting with colour, combined ombined in clashing shades and dramatic patterns. Its Fusion trend end paints include rich teals, yellows and earthy mauves, alongside a patchwork of ethnic design. Shown here are walls in Tropical Ocean and stencil details in Scrumptious, Fuchsia Fizz, Plush Parlour, and Chartreuse, all available in various finishes, from £13 for 2.5ltrs, Crown.

5

EASY-TO-USE SMART LIGHTING Set the mood at the touch of a remote with Ikea’s Smart Lighting, which launches in April. The bulbs in the collection all have in-built technology that allows you to dim the light and change between warm and cool tones. Just switch a traditional bulb for a Trådfri LED bulb in any lamp with a standard socket size. The new range will also include lighting panels and doors.

Prices for the bulbs are yet to be revealed.

6 Stylish window treatments

Curtains.com is no longer just specialising in beautiful drapes – it has branched out into blinds.

Its new styles include Venetian blinds in a wide array of colours, and roller blinds with original designs in bright and earthy hues.

Roman, vertical and wooden blinds are all set to follow. Prices start from £19.99 for a roller blind measuring H20xW20cm, and from £25.99 for a Venetian blind that measures H21xW21cm. These madeto-measure Mezza Noir roller blinds, with an average size of H120x W120cm, will start from £44.99. ➤

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

HOTLIST mar.indd 13

13

11/01/2017 17:12

Firing imaginations for over 35 years The UK’s most comprehensive range of high quality stoves and ireplaces WOODBURNING

| GAS |

| M U LT I - F U E L | E L E C T R I C

stovax.com 4-54.indd 14

12/01/2017 15:58

7

ADD A TOUCH OF LUXE

WHO… Alicia De Costa, print designer HOT NEW DESIGNER NEED TO KNOW… Alicia studied textile design at Northbrook College in Sussex, before collaborating on two tropical bird wallpapers and cushions with Graduate Collection, which works with new designers.

They are offered through her newly launched business, Alicia Claudina De Costa, along with a gallery of fabric prints and her own products.

INSPIRATION… ‘I aim to capture a feeling that nature brings, whether it

8

After years of pared-back neutrals, opulence is back on-trend, and Marks & Spencer has embraced the look with its Luxe Revival range. This brings together sumptuous fabrics and statement accessories with brass and gold accents for a splash of glamour.

A backdrop of soft tones, including pastels, mink and teal, give it a modern spin, while coloured glass and polished finishes add eye-catching accents. Pictured above are the Conran Hustle print, £55; Corin table lamp, £89; and Carraway sideboard, spray lacquered with stained timber legs, H70xW140xD50cm, £849.

be energetic and exciting or calming and fresh.’

LOOK OUT FOR… Alicia is working on a new range for Graduate Collection and will attend 100% Design in London in September, as part of the Emerging Brands section.

Find out more at aliciaclaudinadecosta.com and graduatecollection.co.uk

9

One-stop shop Famous for its architectural glazing, IQ is now focusing on making home interiors as beautiful as their exteriors – by launching a contemporary furniture brand.

IQ Furniture features its own range, Studio IQ, as well as a covetable furniture and lighting from European and UK-based manufacturers. A new 7,000 square foot showroom has been created to house the pieces – displayed in open-plan room sets – from brands including Tom Dixon Lighting, Cattelan Italia, Gallotti & Radice, Flos, Louis Poulsen, Bontempi Casa, Nemo and Meridiani. There’s a space dedicated to outdoor furniture and lighting, and a consultancy service. Find it all at the Sky House Design Centre in Amersham. ➤ realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

HOTLIST mar.indd 15

15

16/01/2017 09:25

4-54.indd 16

12/01/2017 15:59

10

Striking designer furniture Iconic fashion brand Missoni has never been shy of using pattern, and its updated Home range features its trademark colourful zigzags, stripes, waves, florals and geometrics on luxury sofas and chairs, beds and screens. Available at Go Modern, Missoni Home’s distinctive fabrics can also be used to upholster any of Go Modern’s existing furniture ranges. Pictured: Missoni Home Tiamat sofa, H66xDia.206cm, and Pallina pouffe, H40xDia.110cm, both in Samoa fabric, £8,254 and £545, Go Modern.

11 SHOWCASE FOR STONE If you want to incorporate the sleek beauty of stone into your décor, stop by Italian design company Salvatori’s new showroom in Wigmore Street, London. Housed in a listed building, it showcases natural and repurposed stone as flooring, wall cladding, and for basins, baths and worktops combined with its own brassware. This is the company’s fourth dedicated showroom, after Milan, Zurich and Sydney.

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

HOTLIST mar.indd 17

Bespoke beds Create your perfect bed with Silentnight’s new Studio brand.

Just pick a bedframe, colour, size and storage option, and it will be handmade in the UK and delivered with minimal assembly required.

There are three designs – Geometric, Curve and Simplicity – available in Ebony, Grey, Natural or Teal. A choice of drawers and half-ottoman styles make it easy to hide away clutter.

You can also buy Studio mattresses that come in three levels of comfort.

Bedframes cost from £499, with mattresses from £399 for a single.

12

Four-drawer Double Curve bed in Teal with beech legs, H111xW141xD200cm, £1,198 with mattress, £599 without, Studio by Silentnight

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017 17

11/01/2017 17:12

18

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

RH_haines.indd 18

04/01/2017 09:04

THE OWNERS Anna Haines, an interior designer, lives here with husband Viv, a lawyer, and daughters Amelie, nine, and Phoebe, seven THE PROPERTY A six-bedroom, semidetached early-Edwardian house in Acton, west London ANNA LOVES Designer Ilse Crawford Bold colours Visiting India for inspiration Designer Chester Jones Susan Deliss’ textile designs Furniture by India Mahdavi TOTAL PROJECT COST £90,000

Real Homes CASE STUDY

TIMELESS FAMILY HOME Interior designer Anna Haines transformed a tired Edwardian house into a vibrant but practical home for her family WORDS LAURA CROMBIE PHOTOGRAPHS MICHAEL PAUL

LIVING ROOM Anna chose to paint the walls in Farrow & Ball’s Plummet, which makes the furniture and accessories pop. Sofa, Oka. Lamp, The Old Cinema. Bespoke wing chair, in Moon & Sons fabric. Bespoke footstool, in Pierre Frey fabric.

Blinds, made from Cloth Shop fabric. For a similar chandelier, try John Lewis

P

icture an interior designer’s home and you’ll probably imagine perfectly plumped cushions, artfully arranged coffee table books and furniture so stylish you’d be scared to use it. But while Anna’s early-Edwardian property in a leafy London suburb is undoubtedly carefully curated and beautifully presented, it is first and foremost a family home. ‘When we first moved in we bought a caramel leather sofa for the living room at an auction as it looked incredible,’ she recalls. ‘But it was so uncomfortable that it had to go, and we replaced it with one that was meant for sitting on instead! Obviously, as a designer I believe it’s important for a home to look great, but it must also function. With a busy family life, practicality in the home is so important.’

Anna, her husband Viv, and their two daughters bought the semi-detached house back in 2010 after ➤ realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

RH_haines.indd 19

19

04/01/2017 09:04

NEW LOOK Right By painting the original kitchen units in Farrow & Ball’s Railings, Anna has given the space a new lease of life.

The existing oak worktops were also kept, sanded and polished to save money. Metro tiles, Fired Earth.

Cooker, Britannia.

Wall light, Jean Prouvé; for similar, try Aram

TIRED INTERIOR Below right The previous owners had rented the house out, which had left it tired and in need of modernisation.

The large island ruined the flow of the kitchen, while the flagstone floor looked dated

outgrowing their terraced house in Shepherd’s Bush.

‘We couldn’t afford to buy a larger house in that area so we started searching further out of the city and discovered Acton,’ she recalls. ‘Back then it didn’t have the lovely village feel it has now, so we count ourselves very lucky that it’s become such a desirable place to live, especially with the new Crossrail link that’s due to connect us to central London in less than 12 minutes from later this year.’

The house they fell in love with had been rented out for years, meaning the interior was tired and dated. ‘There was a really ugly flagstone floor in the kitchen, which was completely out of keeping with the character of the house,’ recalls Anna. ‘There was also a huge island that you kept ➤ 20

BEFORE

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

RH_haines.indd 20

04/01/2017 09:04

AFTER

For more inspiration, follow us on instagram @real_homes

FLEXIBLE LAYOUT The Mid-centurystyle dining table is from SCP and the chairs are from an auction; for similar, try West Elm. For similar wide-panel solid oak flooring, try Quick-Step.

Ceiling pendant, Original BTC

➤ realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

RH_haines.indd 21

21

04/01/2017 09:04

NEW & EXCLUSIVE

Introducing Indigo Garden, a collection of contemporary fabrics for Roman blinds & curtains by

Discover more at hillarys.co.uk/charlotte-beevor or call 0800 587 6480 for a free home appointment

4-54.indd 22

12/01/2017 15:59

FAMILY LIVING The couple originally bought a caramel leather sofa from auction for this room but it was so uncomfortable they replaced it with this neutral Loaf one. Walls, painted in Farrow & Ball’s French Gray. The armchairs have been covered in Lewis & Wood fabric. Rug, Beni Ourain; for similar, try Flair Rugs.

Cushions, made from Susan Deliss silk. Lightshade, Vaughan Designs

‘I chose colours that would add warmth and elegance’ bumping into and that ruined the flow of the space.’ Despite being able to see the property’s potential, Anna found it surprisingly challenging to finalise her designs. ‘You hear interior designers say that working on their own homes is more difficult than having a client, and it’s true,’ she laughs.

‘And because we’d put every penny we had into moving and our old house was half the size, it was a real challenge envisioning how we were going to have enough furniture to fill this place. In the end, the budget really shaped the whole project as I decided to use a lot of what was already here, such as the kitchen carcasses and bathroom suite, and adapt it instead of replacing it.’

One thing Anna was certain of was that colour would play a key role in the finished house. ‘Muted, pared-back palettes really aren’t for me,’ she explains. ‘I wanted to use colour to enhance the existing architectural character of the house and to inject elegance, warmth and charm. I decided to base everything on the paint scheme, choosing bold wall colours and building the layers up from there.’ In the living room, for instance, a rich grey/green was chosen

to complement the couple’s artwork. ‘The shade I chose can look almost avocado without direct light on it, but because the living room has windows at both ends it really works,’ she adds. ‘Once I had that base colour, I added accents of red and blue to bring it to life.’

As soon as Anna had finalised her plans, she was able to call on a team of tried-and-trusted builders, plumbers and decorators who she’s worked with on clients’ properties, to begin the transformation. First to go was the huge kitchen island, swiftly followed by the flagstone flooring. Layers of dark varnish were stripped off the original floorboards in every other room before a light wax was applied to create a sense of continuity. All of the original cornicing and fireplaces were also restored.

To save money, Anna simply repainted the old white kitchen units in an inky blue shade that stands out against the warm oak worktops and simple white metro tiles, adding antique bronze handles and hinges to the doors.

A large dining table occupies the space in the kitchen where the island one stood, creating a more flexible layout. ➤ realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

RH_haines.indd 23

23

09/01/2017 14:34

61-96.indd 68

12/01/2017 16:00

MASTER BEDROOM The bedroom is one of the rooms in the house where Anna chose a more neutral colour scheme. Walls, painted in Farrow & Ball’s Clunch. Bed, Vi-spring. Bedside lamps, Holloways of Ludlow. Bedding, Vanderhurd. Ceiling light, Vaughan Designs. Mid-century armchair and stool, in Cloth Shop fabric. The rug is an heirloom. For a similar side table, try Swoon Editions ➤

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

RH_haines.indd 25

25

16/01/2017 09:26

BOLD BATHROOM Farrow & Ball’s Blue Black was chosen to paint the bath and fireplace, while the existing vanity units were painted in the brand’s French Gray.

Ceiling light, Sunbury Antiques. Antique Georgian armchair, in Vanderhund fabric.

For a similar circular glass table, try Dwell

26

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

RH_haines.indd 26

04/01/2017 09:04

‘I love that the table is at the heart of family life,’ says Anna.

‘It’s very robust and not one of these tables you’re afraid to use for fear of damaging it – I like to think it’s full of character. There are no placemats in this house!’

Anna took a similarly frugal approach to the redesign in the master bathroom, where she painted the existing bath and fireplace in a rich black, and repainted the vanity units in a soft grey. ‘It’s such a nice size room that I really wanted to make a statement in here,’ she says. ‘I love the black and the statement armchair. You don’t expect to see upholstery in a bathroom, but it’s a nice detail and brings a softness to the space.’

The whole project took just four months to complete, with the family waiting to move in until work was finished.

‘Everything ran to schedule but we did go slightly over budget when there was an issue with one of the steel beams,’ says Anna, who project-managed the whole transformation. ‘I’d advise anybody to have at least a 10 per cent contingency when renovating a house, as there are some things you just can’t foresee.’

Although it will always be a work in progress, the most important thing for Anna remains that her beautiful, stylish home works for her family. ‘We absolutely love this house and feel very settled here,’ she says. ‘In terms of aesthetics, it encapsulates everything we love, and, more importantly, it feels like home.’

AFTER

GROUND FLOOR LIVING ROOM

FAMILY ROOM

SECOND FLOOR

BEDROOM

UTILITY

BEDROOM

KITCHEN

STUDY

EN SUITE

FIRST FLOOR BEDROOM MASTER BEDROOM STUDY

BEDROOM

FAMILY HOME Anna and Viv didn’t do any major structural work, as the house already had the open-plan kitchen-diner and six bedrooms they wanted

BATHROOM

THE COSTS AND CONTACT Flooring, kitchen, bathroom, furniture and decoration

£60,000 Building work

£30,000 TOTAL

£90,000 Purchase price in 2010

£920,000 FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

RH_haines.indd 27

Estimated current value

£1.8million Potential profit

£790,000 Interior design Anna Haines, 07956 236326, annahaines.co.uk Paint Farrow & Ball Lighting Vaughan Designs, Original BTC

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

27

10/01/2017 09:57

PENDANT Där Lighting Code 12 light in soft old burnished gold finish, H98xW74x D74cm, £210, Ocean Lighting

CUSHION COVER Cotton canvas cushion cover with white and red print, £7.99, H&M

SOFA Salone three-seater sofa in Navy, H65xW190xD94cm, £2,195, Content by Terence Conran

THROW Novo wool mix throw, £60, Living

by Christiane Lemieux at House of Fraser

Georg BENC H u grey w ntreated oa k ben o o l cush ties, H ch wit ion 45xW h 124xD and leather 3 8 Scand cm, £ 449, i Livin g

RUG Roshni Perisan wool rug, W156x L236cm, £685, Perch & Parrow

DESIGN EDIT

Vibrant mix VASE Dark olive green glass vase, H20x Dia.10cm, £16, Eclect Design

Mimic Anna Haines’ style by teaming Mid-century pieces with bold prints and accessories

CANVAS Raw Abstraction 2, acrylic painting on canvas by Lee Clement, H70xW50cm, sold unframed, £505, Artfinder

FABRIC iLiv Hummingbird collection Suri cotton fabric in Tangerine, from £25.75 per m, Fashion Interiors

28

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

GTL-Haines.indd 28

COMPILED BY SOPHIE WARREN-SMITH

PAINT Earthborn lifestyle emulsion in Nellie, £40 for 2.5ltrs, Paint & Paper

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

04/01/2017 09:06

4-54.indd 29

12/01/2017 15:59

Real Homes CASE STUDY

FAMILYFRIENDLY HOME REDESIGN

INDOOR-OUTDOOR LINK Sleek, minimal units create a streamlined galley kitchen leading through to the living room and out to the garden, replacing an L-shaped style that wasn’t to the couple’s taste (below left). White gloss units, Magnet. Hob, Siemens. Extractor fan, Bosch. Worktop, Corian.

Engineered oak flooring, Jordan Andrews. The pendant light is vintage and bought in Holland; for a similar style, try Wayfair. Skylight and sliding doors, Culmax

Mel and Simon Massey remodelled and extended their townhouse to cater for their changing needs WORDS GAP INTERIORS/MELISSA LEANING PHOTOGRAPHS GAP INTERIORS/DAVID GILES STYLING MEL MASSEY

R

eturning to London after six months of living in Manhattan is what prompted our renovation,’ recalls Mel. ‘It was either that or move house. After much deliberation, we decided to stay put and invest our budget in transforming this place into our dream home, remortgaging to release some equity to fund the project.’ Mel and husband Simon had lived in the house for more than 10 years, but with two boys fast growing up, they found the space wasn’t functioning as effectively as a family home. ‘The floorboards were sanded to within an inch of their lives, the Crittall window seals were splitting, making the house cold and draughty, and the poorly organised ground- floor layout meant we had lots of unused space,’ recalls Simon. ‘Superficially, it looked great, but functionally it was broken.’ With their vision for a more spacious, open-plan downstairs in mind, the couple set about planning a single-storey rear ➤ BEFORE

30

MARCH 2017

RH_massey 2.indd 30

realhomes.co.uk

10/01/2017 11:09

➤

THE OWNERS Mel Massey, an interior stylist, designer and writer, lives here with her husband, Simon, a strategic brand consultant, and their two children, Henry, 13, and Freddie, 10, and Frankie, the French bulldog THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Victorian terraced townhouse in Finsbury Park, north London MEL LOVES Her living room Shopping on Ebay Hot pink and racing green Watching House Doctor Her repurposed bar Spending time by the sea Designs by G Plan, Arne Jacobson and Robin Day TOTAL PROJECT COST ÂŁ310,000

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

RH_massey 2.indd 31

31

10/01/2017 11:09

NEW LOOK Above A new single-storey rear extension, a wet room extension, and loft conversion were all added at the rear

extension to house a light-filled living area connected to both the galley kitchen and garden. They also wanted to relocate the dining room to the front of the house and make better use of space upstairs, so designed plans for a wet room extension above the existing master bathroom, plus a loft conversion to provide an office/living space with views over the neighbourhood. Although grand, the couple made sure their plans fell within permitted development rights and wouldn’t require planning permission, while Simon, who’d worked with his architect father in the past, drew up the plans, saving on professional fees. As an interior designer, Mel had plenty of ideas of how the rooms would look, so by the time work began in February 2014, the couple had a clear idea of the finished space – a simple monochrome scheme with accents of bright colour and industrial influences throughout.

After hiring builder Matt Radley and his team, who were recommended by friends who’d had similar work done to their home, the family moved out to a one-bedroom flat nearby, meaning they would be close enough to check on progress every day. ‘Matt was adamant that he would be there to project-manage the build, as it was fairly complex with three separate areas to work on – the ground-floor extension and reconfiguration, upstairs extension and the loft conversion,’ Simon explains. The rear extension was the largest structural job and the first part of the project to be tackled. ‘We removed the Crittall windows, exposing the entire width of the back of the house, which was a daunting sight,’ say Mel. ‘Downstairs, a supporting wall was removed from the original kitchen, which was also holding up the family bathroom and wet room above, so we needed a very big replacement steel to ensure the structure would hold.’ More steels were needed to support areas where chimney breasts had been removed, but not shored up.

We also had to reconfigure the drainage at the same time – it felt like we were destroying the house before putting it all back together again.’

Once new foundations were in place, the room began to take shape, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors opening onto the garden, with additional seating outside, ➤

DINING ROOM Right A feature wall in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue contrasts with the original zebrano McKintosh sideboard from Ebay.

Dining chairs, from TwentyTwentyOne and Folklore. The engineered oak flooring, is from Jordan Andrews 32

MARCH 2017

RH_massey 2.indd 32

10/01/2017 11:09

LIVING SPACE The living room’s neutral palette allows the architectural details to shine.

Vintage sofas, Robin Day for Habitat. Mel made the mirrors using old Crittall glazing.

Bespoke Corian and ash table, Jonathanmaker. com. Large bulb light, Made In Design. Copper pendant, Ebay

FIRST FLOOR

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

DINING ROOM

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BATHROOM

KITCHEN LIVING ROOM

SECOND FLOOR

WET ROOM

GROUND FLOOR

LOFT

LIVING SPACE/ HOME OFFICE

AFTER

NEW DESIGN Left A loft conversion has created more living space upstairs, while a single-storey extension on the ground floor allows for better flow through the house and improved connection to the garden. On the second floor, an extension on top of the family bathroom has created a separate wet room area

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

RH_massey 2.indd 33

33

10/01/2017 11:09

MASTER BEDROOM To create a monochrome scheme, walls are painted in Little Greene’s Lamp Black and Urbane Grey.

Pendant lights, Lee Broom.

Wall lights, Anglepoise.

Bed, Habitat.

The vintage Tulip chair cost £10 from a junk shop

34

MARCH 2017

RH_massey 2.indd 34

10/01/2017 11:09

emphasising the indoor-outdoor connection. ‘One challenge was with the existing upstairs bathroom, which created a lower ceiling in part of the extension and forced us to think really creatively about how to make it work without compromising either space,’ says Mel. ‘We celebrated the quirk by making it look like a large white box had dropped into the ground-floor extension’s ceiling.’

Attention then turned to the connecting kitchen, with its contemporary white and grey design. ‘This central space was previously only used for storage and accessing the lounge,’ explains Mel. ‘Having the kitchen here has made it more practical. As much of my life at home is spent in the kitchen, having it in the centre of the house made complete sense – I can be on hand for the homework questions coming from the dining table while still cooking supper.’ The couple had planned to revamp their old kitchen units, but decided to invest in a more modern design with wide drawers and units, and had the drainage updated to a better system, too. They also took the opportunity to boost their home’s energy efficiency while the work was being carried out. The windows had previously been replaced with double-glazed sash styles in keeping with the era of the property, but the couple also insulated the floors to improve thermal performance.

Meanwhile, Matt and his team converted the loft, creating a penthouse apartment-style design inspired by the couple’s time spent in the United States. Transforming the loft into a lounge and home office did mean losing storage space, but has resulted in a stylish room for Mel and Simon to enjoy away from the children, as well as a quiet place to work – though Freddie and Henry enjoy holding sleepovers there on weekends. ‘The concept of New York loft living was the basis of my idea for the top floor, but we also wanted to consider the aesthetic for our neighbours,’ says Mel. ‘Having floor-to-ceiling sliding doors leading to a Juliette balcony was the perfect solution, as it doesn’t look as imposing as solid brick.’ The couple got around the reduction in storage space by fitting ➤

WET ROOM Above Reclaimed vintage patterned tiles, which were originally from a French château, and were sourced from Bert & May

create a striking feature in the new wet room on the second floor.

Bespoke windows, Metwin. Sink and WC, Bathstore

LOFT LIVING Right The brick wall, with marks from the original roof line, steels and sliding glass doors provide a stylish backdrop for the penthousestyle loft space.

Sliding door and Juliette balcony, Culmax. Wall light, TwentyTwentyOne. G Plan Vintage sofa, John Lewis. Rug, Habitat. Flooring, Jordan Andrews

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

RH_massey 2.indd 35

35

10/01/2017 11:09

bespoke wardrobes, designed by Simon, in Freddie’s bedroom, which also features a den and play space.

‘We designed it so that when he’s too grown up to use his den, we can put cupboard doors back on and make use of the storage again,’ says Simon. The bunk beds were Mel’s bespoke design and started life as an idea for Henry.

‘Henry’s room is significantly smaller than Freddie’s and I couldn’t find the perfect height bed, so I designed my own,’ she says. ‘We weren’t planning to use them in Freddie’s room but once Henry’s was built, we had to do the other too.’ Next door, the master bedroom has been transformed from a riot of colour to a calming space with walls painted in rich grey and black tones with accents of pink and bronze, textured rugs and a mix of modern and vintage furniture. ‘It took me a long time to find the perfect shade of black, as I wanted a dramatic and warm look,’ says Mel. ‘I must have tried 10 paints before going for Little Greene’s Lamp Black – a perfect shade, with a beautiful finish.’

When Mel and Simon originally moved in, there was only one WC in the entire house, so adding others was high up on their list of jobs to do. They’ve since added a downstairs toilet, converted the family bathroom and added a wet room extension, which is located above the existing master suite. The wet room has frosted windows from floor to ceiling and features a sliver of zinc cladding on the exterior to tie in with the ground-floor addition and loft above. Inside, the couple chose industrial radiators typically used for greenhouses to heat the space and Mel sourced reclaimed caustic tiles for the floor. With no room left untouched, the couple took 20 weeks to transform their home into a better family space, with areas that can be enjoyed together as well as separately. But when it comes to Mel’s favourite part, the addition of a mini bar to the new loft is her ‘pièce-de-résistance’. ‘I’ve always wanted a bar, but nothing was the right fit or budget, until I came across a design from Belgium, which was originally a sideboard and has a lovely veneer finish,’ she says. With its built-in sink and plenty of room for drinks, it put the finishing touch to this grown-up space. ‘I love every part of our new house, but the top floor is my favourite,’ she adds. ‘It’s a surprise that I get any work done with the great views and cocktails!’

COLOUR POP Above Henry’s room is a quirky den complete with a bunk bed designed by Mel. Walls, Little Greene’s Lamp Black and Dulux’s Auburn Falls

BESPOKE BED Below The walls in Freddie’s room are painted in Little Greene’s Grey Teal, Inox and Mambo. Mel designed the bed.

Metal letters from Brooklyn Flea

FUN STORAGE Right Simon designed the wardrobe, painted in Little Greene’s Mambo. Pendant light, Made in Design. Blinds, Kids Curtain Company

THE COSTS AND CONTACTS Windows

TOTAL

£80,000

£310,000

Loft conversion

Purchase cost in 2003

£60,000

£500,000

Wet room extension

Estimated current value

£60,000

£1.6million

Ground-floor extension

Potential profit

£40,000

£790,000

Kitchen

£20,000 Flooring

£20,000 Decoration

£20,000 Bathroom

£10,000 36

MARCH 2017

RH_massey 2.indd 36

Builders Matt Radley Interiors, 07852 229667 Structural engineers PGCS Partnership (Peter Krige), 0844 915 5000, pgcspartnership.co.uk Interior design Mel Massey, mel-massey.com Living room and loft doors Culmax, 020 8896 0700 culmax.co.uk

realhomes.co.uk

10/01/2017 11:09

FAMILY BATHROOM Right The walls in the master bathroom are painted in Little Greene’s Urban Grey. The vintage window was remade for the space by Small Restorations and creates a red glow in the sunshine.

Bath and taps, Bathstore. Vanity unit, Swoon.se with legs that were customised

by Mel. Mirror, John Lewis

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

RH_massey 2.indd 37

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

37

10/01/2017 11:09

4-54.indd 38

12/01/2017 15:59

PENDANT Antique bulb holder with ceiling rose in Rose Gold, H135xDia.4.5cm, £14.95; bulb from £5.95, both Cult Furniture

RUG Floria multi-coloured rug 4017 01 by Esprit, W70xL140cm, £129, The Rug Seller

FLOORING Chevron light brown frame oak wood floor with brushed finish, from £100.80 per m2, Kahrs

PAINT Rumba Orange Regal Select flat emulsion, from £19.50 for .94ltrs, Benjamin Moore

DESIGN EDIT

CHAIR Senn colourful rubber wood dining chair in Light Grey, H77xW50xD49cm, £36, Danetti

LIGHT Customisable cinema light box with 100 letters, numbers and symbols, H22x W30cm, £36, The Drifting Bear Co

Colour play COAT STAND Swedese tree coat stand in yellow-lacquered MDF, by Katrin Petursdottir and Michael Young, H134xW77x D40cm, £465, Utility Design

Highlight your living space with fun, bright accents, like in Mel Massey’s stylish home

COMPILED BY SOPHIE WARREN-SMITH

CUSHION Chunky cable hand-knitted wool cushion in Cerise, £85, Nutmeg & Sage

BED Cranbrook poplar wood double bed frame, H100xW199xD148cm, £529, Soak & Sleep

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

GTL - MASSEY.indd 39

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

39

16/12/2016 09:32

Real Homes CASE STUDY

ELEGANT EDWARDIAN HOUSE REDESIGN After swapping city centre living for a more peaceful setting, Julia and Ryan Dean dramatically renovated their new home to make it their own ➤ WORDS ANNA MORLEY PHOTOGRAPHS JODY STEWART STYLING JEMMA PAUGH

OPEN-PLAN DESIGN Opening up the downstairs layout has given the house a light and airy feel, decorated with a mix of modern and classic touches.

The sash windows and bespoke kitchen were custom made by carpenter Garret O’Reilly. Flooring, Natural Wood Designs. Dining table, Barker & Stonehouse.

Dining chairs, and pendant light, Habitat

40

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

JuliaDeanHouse.indd 40

05/01/2017 09:58

AFTER

BEFORE

THE OWNERS Julia Dean, an events manager and interior designer, lives here with her husband, Ryan, who runs a film production business, and their fivemonth-old son, Leo THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Edwardian house in Ealing, west London

JULIA LOVES Visiting Venice Prosecco Shopping at John Lewis Eating pasta Quentin Tarantino films The book Any Human Heart by William Boyd Vintage cars The sofa in Ryan’s study TOTAL PROJECT COST £161,124

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

JuliaDeanHouse.indd 41

41

05/01/2017 09:58

W

hen Julia and Ryan started looking to buy their first house together, they had a clear idea of what their dream home would be like. ‘I knew I wanted to take on a renovation project, Ryan was looking for a peaceful location, and we both wanted more space,’ recalls Julia. They had been living together in Julia’s apartment in Vauxhall, in the heart of London and, after getting engaged, decided to invest in somewhere that could grow with them. ‘We found this spacious property but it needed a lot of work,’ she explains. ‘It was practically falling down, had damp, and this unattractive pink-rendered exterior that stuck out like a sore thumb among the brick houses in the street.’ Each of the bedrooms had been rented out separately, there were limited bathrooms, and, as the property is on a corner plot, there is no back garden, only one to the front. There were no windows to the rear, either. ‘We did, however, find a beautiful, original staircase,’ laughs Julia.

Having previous experience in renovating her own apartment as well as her sister’s, Julia relished the new, albeit larger, challenge. ‘I would never consider buying a house if I’m not the one putting in a new kitchen or bathroom,’ she says. ‘It’s nice to choose what you want and be the first person to use something.’

After buying the property in April 2014, Julia got to work on the redesign. ‘I planned a new layout using basic printed floor plans, taking the house back to its shell and reconfiguring the location of internal walls,’ she explains.

Friends recommended Robert’s 21st Century Design builders. Once Julia had a layout that made the best use of space, she discussed it with the firm to make sure the building work was feasible on the couple’s £100,000 budget.

42

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

JuliaDeanHouse.indd 42

09/01/2017 17:10

TONAL FINISH Left and below left The entrance hall features a bold light from Graham & Green.

The statement floor tiles, from Original Style, co-ordinate with the pale blue sofa in the living area, which is from The Sofa Workshop in Chiswick.

Stainless steel knobs by John Lewis finish off the kitchen

BATHROOM Below The traditional-style, family suite includes fixtures from Victorian Plumbing, Bathstore, B&Q and Screwfix.

The parquet flooring, from Natural Wood Designs, is the same as downstairs, maintaining a cohesive look.

Towel ladder, Ovo Home

CLEVER SOLUTION Ryan’s home office lies behind this bespoke doorcum-bookcase

s The builders started work the following month, beginning with the first and second floors, which originally housed seven bedrooms. The new plan included creating four bedrooms and converting some of the original rooms into a new family bathroom, study and utility room. On the top floor, a guest bathroom was added and a larger bedroom created by removing a WC. Downstairs, the ground floor had a double entrance area removed to create a larger hallway, leading onto a spacious openplan kitchen-living-diner. When she took on the project, Julia knew she wanted an open ground floor with a modern look, so the supporting wall between the kitchen and living room was removed, with a T-joist installed to achieve this.

Meanwhile, the builders relocated a small WC in the hall to the space beneath the stairs, and fitted underfloor heating.

As project manager, Julia loved planning and overseeing the work. ‘I’m really organised and get a real buzz out of tackling a new challenge, so I enjoyed working out how to reconfigure the spaces, finalising the floor plans and organising the works,’ she says.

Not only were the couple in the midst of a renovation, but also planning their wedding – marrying just one month ➤

THE COSTS AND CONTACTS Building work

Appliances and heating

£100,000

£2,837

Windows

Lighting

£19,323

£1,410

Flooring

TOTAL

£15,346

£161,124

Kitchen

Purchase price in 2014

£4,450

£799,995

Bathroom fixtures

Estimated current value

£4,058

£1.6million

Radiators

Potential profit

£4,000

£638,881

Window dressings

£4,000 Worktops

£3,200 Damp proofing

£2,500

Builder/main contractor Robert’s 21st Century Design, 0800 756 6392, roberts21stcenturydesign. com Kitchen carpenter Garret O’Reilly

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

JuliaDeanHouse.indd 43

43

05/01/2017 09:58

MASTER BEDROOM To create a softer look and a more comfortable feel underfoot, the couple chose carpet for the floor; for similar, try Westex. For a similar chair and white console table, try Ikea

after the work began. ‘We had this great idea of being away for a month with our wedding, honeymoon and several other events, and hoped everything would be almost finished when we arrived back, which was actually bonkers in hindsight,’ laughs Julia. ’When we came home we found there had been some unexpected delays, such as finding broken roof tiles and a damp problem caused by damaged render.’ Because of this, the couple moved in with Julia’s sister for a month while the project continued, returning in August when the top two floors were complete. They then lived upstairs for another three weeks while the ground floor was finished. ‘We gave the builders keys and they came in and out as required, which made things easier,’ she says. ‘Plus, they stuck to their original quote even when the unexpected occurred, which was great.’ The structure of the roof needed some work, as the wood on the apex was found to be rotten, and the render had to be stripped back using acid to remove the paint. ‘Traditionally, paint gets sandblasted off, but as this can be damaging, it was washed down instead, and any broken bricks repaired and the brickwork re-pointed,’ Julia explains.

With the new layout in place, the couple got to work on furnishing the space. When it came to choosing a new kitchen, Julia and Ryan looked at off-the-shelf options but due to the shape of the room, they decided a bespoke design would work best. ‘Carpenter Garret O’Reilly was 44

recommended by my stepmum and his quote was very reasonable,’ explains Julia. ‘He built the cabinetry off-site and then put it together here before finishing it in a simple white with stainless steel handles and a quartz worktop.’

Every room was painted and new flooring laid throughout the house, with parquet downstairs to create a seamless flow in the kitchen-living-diner, and statement tiles in the hallway. ‘I use Google Images and Pinterest, so had started moodboards and knew I wanted dark wooden floors and white walls, as I like the contrast,’ Julia says.

Elsewhere, the couple’s interior choices complement the newly bright and spacious house, and include classic pieces in muted shades. ‘There’s only one room where we chose to use darker paint – Ryan’s study – where we went for a deep blue with touches of red and mahogany,’ says Julia.

‘I like to wrap up under a blanket on the sofa when he’s working in there. We also put a secret doorway leading into it as a quirky feature. You really can’t tell there’s anything there until you open the bookcase and reveal what’s inside.’

Taking on their first project together has led to a dream home that perfectly suits the couple’s lifestyle and growing family. ‘We created a home for us, not to sell on,’ says Julia. ‘Everything’s to our taste and the house still has so much potential. I have to admit, I do toy with the idea of getting my teeth into another project, but for now, we just want to live here and enjoy it.’

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

JuliaDeanHouse.indd 44

05/01/2017 09:58

LOFT SPACE Right and below The apex of the roof was rotting, so was restored and repainted, while some broken roof tiles were also replaced. A new bedroom was created on the top floor, featuring large Velux rooflights

BEFORE

BEFORE

GROUND FLOOR

HALL

FIRST FLOOR

WC

BEFORE BEDROOM

BEDROOM

SECOND FLOOR

BEDROOM KITCHEN

LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BEDROOM BEDROOM

AFTER

AFTER

GROUND FLOOR

HALL

KITCHEN

WC

LIVING AREA

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

JuliaDeanHouse.indd 45

FIRST FLOOR

AFTER BATHROOM UTILITY ROOM

BEDROOM

STUDY

GUEST BATHROOM

SECOND FLOOR NEW LAYOUT The top two floors have been reconfigured to create a more familyfriendly layout, while the ground floor now has an open-plan kitchen-living room

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

45

09/01/2017 14:06

Esme compact sideboard in ash veneer and white, H75x W120xD45cm, £399, Made.com

Keats mindy ash sideboard in Ebony, H82xW120xD45cm, £775, Perch & Parrow

Vince two-door sideboard in oiled solid walnut, H75xW122x D45cm, £695, Habitat Treble light grey and walnut veneer sideboard, H76xW160x D43cm, £599, Dwell

DESIGN EDIT

Wooden sideboards Newton ecofriendly mango wood sideboard, H76xW152x D46cm, £699, Atkin & Thyme

Casper plywood sideboard with solid oak legs, H71xW128xD42cm, £499, House by John Lewis

46

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

GTL DEAN.indd 46

COMPILED BY SOPHIE WARREN-SMITH

Nornäs pine and grey sideboard, H88xW143xD40cm, £130, Ikea

Bring style and practicality to any room with a striking sideboard, inspired by Julia Dean’s home

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

04/01/2017 09:08

UFHS Real Homes 213x290.ai

4-54.indd 47

1

01/12/2016

14:35

12/01/2017 15:59

BEFORE

BEFORE

DATED LOOK Above The existing kitchen was functional but not to the couple’s taste, while the old conservatory was cold and unsightly

AFTER

NEW FAÇADE Right A new industrial-style extension includes exposed beams inspired by the couple’s favourite bars and restaurants

Real Homes CASE STUDY

INDUSTRIAL-STYLE KITCHEN EXTENSION Annie and Ollie Browning extended their home to create a stunning, open-plan space for all the family to enjoy WORDS SHARON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHS MALCOLM MENZIES STYLING ANNA MORLEY

THE OWNERS Annie Browning, a charity worker, lives here with her husband, Ollie, a company director, and daughters Florence, four, and Matilda, 22 months THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, semi-detached 1930s house in Twickenham, London

48

ANNIE LOVES Anthropologie Grey interiors Tripod lights Le Creuset cookware Industrial style Entertaining Browsing bric-a-brac and antiques fairs Exposed beams TOTAL PROJECT COST £146,500

W

hen Annie and Ollie first viewed this house in Twickenham, it’s fair to say they had conflicting views about its potential. ‘It had been let out to students for years so was in need of some tender loving care,’ says Ollie. ‘But it had decent-sized rooms, a big garden, and is close to good schools, shops and parks.’ Annie needed a bit more persuading, though.

‘I didn’t like it at all at first,’ she admits. ‘I had this romantic idea of walking into a house and saying “wow, let’s buy it”.

This one was unloved, and I’d never been attracted to 1930s houses.’ However, with a bit of persuasion from Ollie, the couple, who had previously lived in rental properties ➤

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

RH_Browning.indd 48

03/01/2017 10:12

SPACIOUS KITCHEN Kitchen units from British Standard help divide the kitchen-diner from the living area. The bar stools are from Sunbury Antiques Market. The breakfast bar has ample but easily accessible storage space to stow away Florence and Matilda’s toys. Appliances, Miele realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

RH_Browning.indd 49

49

04/01/2017 09:09

STRUCTURAL WARRANTY SITE INSURANCE SITE SURVEYS

Self Build Zone

Before you lay the first brick, make sure you & your project are protected ...

Self-Build Zone provides Site Insurance and liability cover for anyone starting new building works, as well as covering any existing structures on site. Our Approved Inspectors can facilitate all survey services you may need during the build or for the warranty provision. On completion, Build-Zone can provide you with a 10 Year Structural Warranty.

For more information or to obtain a quotation go online at

or Call the Self-Build Zone Team on

www.selfbuildzone.com 0345 230 9874 4-54.indd 50

12/01/2017 15:59

DINING AREA Right The dining table is made of reclaimed steel and oak and is from The Old Cinema. The metalwork ceiling lights above the dining table were salvaged from a Czech factory and bought at Bermondsey Market. The French antique cupboard, is from Petersham Nurseries Dining chairs, Ebay

around London, decided it was time to buy when daughter Florence arrived in 2012. They sold a business to raise the funds for the house and moved in during April 2014.

‘The kitchen-diner was small but had been updated to help sell the house,’ Ollie recalls. ‘The white units weren’t to our taste, but it was perfectly useable.’ There was also a conservatory leading off the kitchen but it had no heating and its door opened to the side, rather than straight into the garden, making it wasted space. Annie and Ollie knew they needed to modernise the house throughout, demolish the conservatory and extend to the rear to create more space. ‘We planned to do it bit by bit,’ says Annie. ‘However, both of us are impatient, so two months after moving in, we had plans for a large, brick-built extension with a pitched roof leading off the kitchen.’

Soon after, the couple found architect Kevin Gauld through builder George Barbour, who they’d initially contacted about the extension. ‘Kevin suggested putting the kitchen area to the right of the new space as you look out to the garden, but Annie and I wanted it on the left so that our dining table and sofa could still fit,’ Ollie explains.

‘Kevin had to incorporate them into the design.’ The couple also knew exactly the look they wanted; industrial style with exposed steel roof beams. ‘We love hotels, restaurants and bars with that look and knew that’s what we wanted at

home. We needed the main roof beam for structural support, but the others are for show and cost us £9,000.

At one stage we did worry about whether we should spend all that extra money, but now we’re glad we did – they look so good.’

TALL structural engineers, recommended by Kevin, drew up detailed plans for the builder. With their help, the application for planning permission went through smoothly and the project started in January 2015. To minimise disruption in the long term, Annie and Ollie decided to renovate the rest of the house at the same time. As work got underway, the family used the front sitting room as a makeshift kitchen with a camping oven and a microwave. ‘I was heavily pregnant with Matilda and had to go upstairs to use the sink in the bathroom, which got harder as I got bigger,’ says Annie.

In February 2015, the water and electrics were cut off and the family moved out, renting a friend’s flat close by so that Ollie could keep an eye on proceedings.

The couple sourced the fixtures and fittings for the kitchen themselves, choosing units from British Standard and including a large larder. In keeping with the industrial look, they initially wanted a deep concrete worktop but discovered it can be difficult to work with and can crack, so they went for beton ciré instead – MDF covered with a ➤ realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

RH_Browning.indd 51

51

04/01/2017 09:10

BOLD PRINT Above The floor tiles are a combination of plain and patterned designs from Azulej by Mutina at Domus. Wooden flooring, German Flooring Direct.

Rooflights, Velux. Bi-fold doors, Klöeber THE COSTS AND CONTACTS

Building work

A-frame

£80,000

£1,500

Electricals

TOTAL

£14,000

£146,500

Kitchen and fitting

£11,500 Professional fees and planning

£10,000 Appliances

£10,000 Flooring

£7,000 Bi-fold doors

£6,000 Rooflights

£3,500 Worktop

£3,000 52

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

RH_Browning.indd 52

Builder George Barbour, Argyll Building Services, 020 7060 0976, argyllbuildingservices.com Architect Kevin Gauld, Gauld Architecture, 020 7278 45888, gauldarchitecture.com Structural engineers

TALL, 020 7733 6837, tallengineers.com Kitchen British Standard Flooring German Flooring Direct, Domus Worktop Beton Cire Interiors Appliances Miele, Falcon

waxed concrete paste. ‘It took the company two days to do it on site, as they build it up in layers, but it looks great and it’s very hard wearing,’ says Ollie.

They decided to divide the kitchen-diner from the sitting area with a peninsular breakfast bar, and by laying different flooring in the two areas. ‘We visited the Domus tile showroom and really liked an arrangement that incorporated four tiles, all with different patterns,’ says Annie. ‘It was a small area and the designer there wasn’t sure that such a mix would not look right over a larger floor area but we took the risk and, luckily, it works – which was a big relief.’

The project ran smoothly and the family moved back in late June 2015. ‘The first thing I loved when I walked in was that I could see all the way through the house from the front door to the garden,’ says Annie. ‘Our furniture was still in storage, so on the first night, we had a fish and chip takeaway sitting on garden chairs in our new extension with Elton John’s Your Song playing.’ The extra space has allowed the couple to indulge in their favourite pastime of browsing antique and street markets for vintage and recycled furniture and accessories. ‘I’m a real magpie and enjoy seeing what I can source at bric-a-brac fairs, especially pieces with an interesting history to them,’ says Annie. The single regret the couple have is that they did not hive off a bit of space for a separate utility room. Apart from that, they are delighted with their new kitchen and sitting room extension. ‘We’ve just had a joint birthday party with 35 adults and 25 kids, so we’ve been making the most of this wonderful, new space,’ says Ollie. ‘And yes, I have grown to love this house,’ laughs Annie.

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

10/01/2017 09:45

BEFORE

AFTER

CONSERVATORY LIVING AREA

KITCHEN

KITCHEN-DINER

NEW LAYOUT Left Demolishing a conservatory created space to extend and improve links to the garden through bi-fold doors and glazing.

The kitchen units have been reorientated to make better use of the space, with a peninsular dividing the kitchen-diner and living areas

ISLAND LIFE Right The time and space-saving Quooker hot water tap is one of Annie’s favourite appliances.

The main tap is by Blanco.

Shelves, English Salvage. Kitchen, British Standard realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

RH_Browning.indd 53

53

03/01/2017 10:12

4-54.indd 54

12/01/2017 15:59

FLOORING Barn Wood ceramic tile, from the Bantam Parquet wood-effect tile range, L33.3 xW8cm, £32.95 per m2, Walls & Floors

k Blue N Blac o.9 5

55

&

ll Ba

T IN

ate eggshe ll, est £ in

PA

SHELVES Large metal and wood Baker’s Trolley, H160xW90xD46cm, £499, Atkin & Thyme

TAP Zale monobloc pull-out mixer tap in chrome, H35.5xW15.3cm, £90, by Cooke & Lewis for B&Q

2.5ltrs, Farro for w

DESIGN EDIT

Industrial inf luence

CHAIR Hamburger chair in metal with linen seat pads, H80x W52xD58cm, £270 per pair, Loaf

Like the Brownings’ rustic style?

Get the look in your home with these easy updates

Vi s

in Beige, Dia.1 33c m,

£5 9, Th e

r lle Se

RU G

ta

g ar ru cul cir y g ag sh

TILE Grande Epoque porcelain tile in Grey, W29.8x L29.8cm, £7.27 each, Original Style

ug R

COMPILED BY SOPHIE WARREN-SMITH

TABLE Industrial chic large dining table in reclaimed wood and metal, H76xW180xD90cm, £319, Hampshire Furniture

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

GTL BROWNING.indd 55

55

16/01/2017 09:26

56

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

HARDCASTLE KITCHEN 2.indd 56

03/01/2017 10:14

THE OWNERS Nic Hardcastle, a health visitor, lives here with her husband Matthew, a garden designer, and their children Oliver, nine, and Evie, eight THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, detached 1970s house in Doncaster NIC LOVES John Lewis and Rockett St George Her Neff slide and hide ovens The colour pink Eclectic style The designer Karen Millen Visiting New York TOTAL PROJECT COST £66,300

Real Homes CASE STUDY

COLOURFUL KITCHEN-DINER EXTENSION Nic and Matthew Hardcastle have used bold shades and patterned tiles to add personality to their extended space WORDS KAREN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS FIONA WALKER-ARNOTT UNUSUAL ACCENTS Left Instead of a rug, the couple chose Tirolo cream floor tiles with a rectangular section of patchwork tiles from Encaustic Tiles Ltd to anchor the Calia dining table and bench, from John Lewis.

This is teamed with a mixture of Eames and Philippe Starck for Kartell Masters chairs. Matt fitted all the oak skirting boards and doors.

Lights, John Lewis

W

hen we first viewed our house in 2009, the tiny kitchen was the worst room,’ remembers Nic. ‘It hadn’t been touched since the 1970s, had very little natural light and the cupboard doors were falling off. We knew the house wasn’t big enough, but we loved the garden, and there was space to extend to the side and rear.’

After agreeing the sale and moving in soon after, Nic and Matthew got to work on updating the central heating system and replastering all of the rooms upstairs while they mulled over their options for making the best use of the space downstairs.

Their plan was to extend on to the side of the existing kitchen to create a large, open-plan kitchen-diner right across the back of the house. There would be two sets of French doors linking to the garden, plus a new utility room and garage. The couple also wanted to build outwards into the garden by about eight metres, creating a new family room with a vaulted ceiling that would be connected to the kitchen. ‘As soon as we saw the property, Matthew knew ➤ realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

HARDCASTLE KITCHEN 2.indd 57

57

03/01/2017 10:14

what would work straight away and met with two separate architects he already knew to discuss ideas and decide which of them to hire,’ Nic explains. ‘We decided on the one who had a similar vision to ours, even though he was the more expensive option.’

Plans were put in place and planning permission granted, so that work could begin by November 2011. As a garden designer, Matthew regularly completes building work for clients, including walls and raised beds, which meant he was happy to manage the project using a builder, joiner and roofer, plus plasterers and plumbers that had worked on the couple’s previous home.

With two sizeable extensions to be built either side of the property, as well as knocking through between the old kitchen and dining room, the build threw up several challenges. ‘We needed to dig deeper than expected for the foundations, so hired a structural engineer to ensure there’d be no damage to the 300-year-old manor house next door,’ explains Nic. As the rear garden slopes upwards, these groundworks were an expensive and time-consuming part of the build. Around 180 tonnes of earth had to be excavated and drains repositioned ready for the extensions.

Luckily, Matthew helped out with the groundwork, knocking £7,000 off the cost. Despite initial setbacks, the rest of the work was completed in around a year, with the couple living on site and completing each stage as money allowed. ‘It was difficult living among all the mess with exposed pipes and wires everywhere,’ says Nic. ‘But somehow we managed.’

Matthew had recently helped Nic’s mum design a new kitchen, and was brimming with ideas for their new space.

‘He sees a lot of houses through his work that are all cream, so we didn’t want to play it safe,’ says Nic. ‘He suggested an orange and grey scheme with a mix of matt and gloss doors.

I wasn’t convinced at first as it sounded a bit ’80s, but he persuaded me it would look really cool – and it does.’ When it came to choosing the units and finishes, Nic wanted the design to be durable and low maintenance to suit a household with two young children. She had her heart set on wraparound quartz worktops in a lighter shade to contrast with the bold kitchen units, as well as deep pull-out pan drawers, and two eye-level ovens with slide and hide doors, which she’d seen on The Great British Bake Off.

BEFORE

THE COSTS AND CONTACTS

AFTER NEW DESIGN Below By knocking through and then extending, the family now has a spacious kitchen-living-diner LIVING ROOM

KITCHEN

DINING ROOM

After visiting countless showrooms, the pair found exactly what they wanted at Wren Kitchens and started planning their layout with a designer. ‘The breakfast bar in the middle works really well, as you can be in the kitchen while chatting to guests sitting at the stools,’ says Nic. ‘We positioned the hob so you see the garden or keep an eye on the children in the new family room while cooking.’

Patterned encaustic wall tiles and stripes of matt black paint create sharp geometric lines across the ceiling and archway to the kitchen, completing the scheme. ‘We spent a lot of time searching for bold, bright tiles, and luckily we both loved the same design,’ says Nic. ‘They brighten everything up. The kitchen area doesn’t get as much light as the dining area, so having lots of colour adds interest, while, the black border round the archway really frames it.’

To link the two spaces together, the same black paint has been used in the dining area alcoves with a textured feature wall of quartz tiles on the chimney breast inbetween. Matthew customised an Ikea cupboard to create storage under the TV, while orange pendant lights echo the colour of the kitchen units. They also opted for an industrial-style dining table with a bench and a mix of contemporary chairs.

To save money, Matthew did much of the work himself, including fitting the kitchen units, doors, skirting boards and window sills, as well as laying the wall and floor tiles. But as the measurements for the quartz worktops could only be taken after Matthew had fitted the units, it was two weeks before the induction hob could be installed, meaning the family was without a kitchen for six weeks. ‘We had the old ’70s oven in the middle of the floor, which kept turning itself off,’ recalls Nic. ‘We mostly ate pasta and went to my mum’s!’

Since the extensions were added, the couple have continued renovating the rest of the house, adding two en suite bathrooms upstairs and knocking a bedroom through into the small fifth bedroom next door to boost space, and Matthew plans to tackle the garden, too. But with the kitchen now firmly at the heart of their home, the family is making the most of the striking space.

‘It’s changed our lives,’ says Nic. ‘The old dirty, cold and untidy kitchen didn’t reflect us at all. Now we love cooking in here and have friends around all the time.’

SITTING ROOM

Extension

Lighting

£40,000

£650

Units

TOTAL

£7,000

£66,300

Appliances, sink and tap

£6,000 Worktops

DINING ROOM

£5,000

STUDY

Wall and floor tiles

£4,000 Furniture

KITCHEN

£2,550 GARAGE

LIVING ROOM UTILITY

58

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

HARDCASTLE KITCHEN 2.indd 58

Extractor

£1,100

Architect Anthony Snowden, 01302 772491, anthonysnowdenarchitect.co.uk Builder Daz Wire, 07977 417643 Kitchen Wren Kitchens, 0345 127 7008, wrenkitchens.com Windows UPVC Trade Centre Tiles Encaustic Tiles Ltd, Tile Giant Appliances Neff

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

10/01/2017 09:57

BEFORE

OLD DESIGN Left The kitchen was too small and had dated units with doors that were falling off.

It also failed to link to the garden

AFTER

KITCHEN-DINER Left The space features Matt Gullwing and Linea Contour Aztec Gloss Orange kitchen units from Wren Kitchens. Wall tiles, Encaustic Tiles Ltd. Oven and induction hob, Neff. Bar stools, Rockett St George

LIVING ROOM Above The rear garden slopes upwards, so the new family area has steps up from the kitchen.

An archway and pitched ceiling with roof lights on either side bring in plenty of light. The archway is painted in black Valspar paint

BOLD SCHEME Right By picking matt grey units with wooden handles, teamed with gloss orange handleless units, the couple have achieved the mix of materials and ďŹ nishes they wanted. As they love cooking, they chose two Neff ovens, plus a combination microwave and coffee machine.

Ceiling-mounted extractor, Luxair

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

HARDCASTLE KITCHEN 2.indd 59

59

03/01/2017 10:14

CLADDING Vertical reclaimed oak interlocking cladding with a lime wash finish, W15xL60cm, £119.94 per m2, Havwoods

PENDANT Petra glass pendant shade in Sunny Orange, H16xW20cm, £29, Made.com

TEA TOWEL Spira Swedish cotton/linen tea towel in Juline Coral, £10.50, Andshine

STOOL Drift solid oakframed bar stool with matt grey resin seat, H93xW40x D39cm, £69.99, Atlantic Shopping

MIXER Mini stand mixer in Honeydew, H31.2xW19.8x D31.2cm, £449.95, KitchenAid

DESIGN EDIT

Retro revival Be inspired by Nic and Matthew Hardcastle’s kitchen and introduce a mix of tones and prints to your space

DINING TABLE Calia eight-seater extending table in American white oak with metal legs, H76x W160-240xD85cm, £699, John Lewis

60

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

GTL HARDCASTLE.indd 60

TILE Shoreditch patchwork -style porcelain tile, H44.2xW44.2cm, £35 per m2, The Baked Tile Company

COMPILED BY SOPHIE WARREN-SMITH

CHAIR Reno yellow check chair with powdercoated steel base, H85xW50xD50cm, £49.99, MY Furniture

SAUCEPAN Artesa copper tri-ply mini saucepan, Dia. 10cm, £18.99, Kitchen Craft

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

04/01/2017 09:11

S U P R A -F A DOOR OPENING

Widest range of garage and entrance doors in the UK

When Design Matters the Doors are Hörmann • Widest range of garage and entrance doors in the UK • Precision German engineering • Excellent security and outstanding reliability • Large selection of designs to match every home

D 131

61-96.indd 61

12/01/2017 16:00

Real Homes CASE STUDY

REIMAGINED KITCHEN Instead of extending, Jo and Al Whitson thought inside the box and reworked their existing space WORDS JO LEEVERS PHOTOGRAPHS RACHAEL SMITH 62

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

RH_Whitson 2.indd 62

10/01/2017 09:41

AFTER

BEFORE

THE OWNERS Jo Whitson, a writer, lives here with her husband Al, an editor, and their children Tom, 18, and Martha, 13, and Lottie, the whippet cross THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom Victorian semi-detached house in Tunbridge Wells, Kent JO LOVES Local, independent shops The colour blue Cornish pasties The Great Interior Design Challenge Designer Patricia Urquiola Instagram The Cavaliero Finn art gallery Novels by Kate Atkinson TOTAL PROJECT COST £29,098

GARDEN LINK Left New bi-fold doors make it easier to enjoy the garden. Units and marble worktops, Woodwork Kitchens. Sink, Villeroy & Boch.

Brass pendant, John Lewis.

Flooring from Quick-Step replaces Victorianstyle tiles (above right) that did not work with the new-look kitchen

W

hen I look back at pictures of our old kitchen, I can’t believe how long we put up with it,’ says Jo. ‘It was a good-sized room, but never felt spacious enough – the prep area was cramped into one corner and you had to shuffle around the dining table because the room was an L-shape, wrapped around a toilet in the corner. It sounds worse than it was, but it was the result of the original outside loo being incorporated into the kitchen several decades ago.’

Jo and husband Al were happy to leave the layout as it was while their youngest child was a toddler, admitting that the WC was a welcome, practical addition. ‘It was useful having a downstairs loo then, but as the kids got older, it became an inconvenient convenience,’ Jo explains.

The room with the WC also housed the boiler and a washing machine – an odd arrangement that ate into the kitchen’s proportions, so the space needed reconfiguring.

‘We wanted a kitchen that was easier to work in,’ says Jo. ‘The old design meant that all the crockery was stored in wall-hung cupboards directly over the prep area, and we were always getting in each other’s way. The small ➤ realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

RH_Whitson 2.indd 63

63

10/01/2017 14:04

Personally designed kitchens to enhance your home.

Hand-drawn visionary plans - exceptionally unique.

London 020 3150 1000 Cirencester 01285 270 000 Dorchester 01305 490 000 Salisbury 01722 280 000

www.housegohenn.co.uk

LET’S TALK LANDSCAPING FLAG PAVING BLOCK PAVING PERMEABLE PAVING NATURAL STONE PAVING DECORATIVE AGGREGATES SPECIALIST KERB SYSTEMS

Let’s talk perfect patios From new-builds to homeowners refreshing their exteriors, today’s gardens and drives are aspirational, life-enhancing spaces. That’s why our extensive range of natural stone products provides elegant, eye-catching and affordable solutions for quality-conscious consumers.

Don’t wait for the grass to grow. Talk to us.

LANDSCAPING AND BUILDING PRODUCTS

61-96.indd 64

Call 0845 60 80 570... ...and talk to us direct.

Alternatively, email us at: landscaping@brett.co.uk Brett Landscaping Ltd. @brettpaving BrettPaving

www.brettpaving.co.uk

12/01/2017 16:00

PRACTICAL SPACE A long run of units by Woodwork Kitchens is fitted along one side of the new kitchen, hiding away appliances while giving plenty of worktop space. The engineered wood flooring by Quick-Step has subtle grey tones that link with the units. Sink, Villeroy & Boch. Tap, Abode

section of worktop wasn’t even close to the fridge and there was lots of toing and froing.’ Then there was the kitchen’s outdated style: ‘We’d inherited it from the previous owners and lived with it for 12 long years, so I was tired of the faux country-style and ready for a modern look,’ adds Jo. The couple first thought of extending into the side return to accommodate a utility room with WC. However, the building quotes were too high to make it feasible and it would also eat into their small, town-sized garden. ‘We needed a better way to use what we already had, and by adding an extra toilet/shower room to the top floor of the house, it removed the need for the cloakroom downstairs and freed up more space for kitchen units,’ explains Jo. When it came to rethinking the kitchen design, a local, family-run company, Woodwork Kitchens, came recommended by friends. ‘The designer there gave us lots of ideas,’ says Jo. ‘Having someone look at the space completely afresh was a big help.’ With an original Victorian window to the side, a wide window at the end of the space and dated uPVC back door, the room needed minor structural amendments to create a more efficient design.

The designer suggested some straightforward building work, including removing the WC and its walls, adding FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

RH_Whitson 2.indd 65

bi-folding doors at the end of the room, and bricking up the old back door and turning it into a window to replicate the Victorian style elsewhere in the house, creating twin windows. ‘With no side door, we could have a long run of worktops along one side of the room,’ says Jo. Luckily, the remodel didn’t require planning permission, so work began in June 2015. Once the walls of the WC were removed, it became obvious that the floor wasn’t level in the corner, so a builder recommended by the kitchen supplier applied a new screed to that portion.

Meanwhile, a makeshift kitchen was set up in Jo’s home office, with a toaster, fridge and a supply of paper plates to keep the family going until the renovation was complete.

‘As it was summer we bought lots of salads and once the dust had dampened down I could use the oven again for simple things like baked potatoes,’ she recalls.

In-frame units, painted in a custom-mixed shade of deep grey, were chosen for the space, with many base cabinets and few wall units for storage, as well as a fullheight larder and open shelving to create space for displaying favourite pieces. ‘The style of the cabinetry should have longevity as it’s solid and well made, and I love the colour,’ says Jo. The style is unfussy and contrasts ➤ realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

65

10/01/2017 14:04

Shutters that add beauty & elegance to every home

SAVE SAVE

*JANUARY WINTER

20%

SALE SALE

JUST SHUTTERS | MAKING YOUR HOME SHINE Understanding that your house is your home is at the very heart of our thinking, from design consultation that focuses on your style and needs, through to fitting where we ensure that your house is treated like a home, not like a building site!

Ca ll u s today o n 0 8 45 8 94 0 70 0

*On orders placed by 14th February 2017

61-96.indd 66

justshutters.co.uk

12/01/2017 16:00

with the old design. Brass handles, ceramics and woven baskets all add a bit of personality. She admits that the marble worktop was a treat. ‘It wasn’t outrageously expensive and I like the fact that it’s a natural material,’ she says. ‘It’s a lovely surface to work on – I can roll pastry straight out onto it.’ Having picked grey for the woodwork, the couple wanted a change from the existing flooring, which was old Victorian tiles in terracotta and black.

‘They had great character, but were very cold underfoot,’ Jo remembers. ‘It was also quite an overwhelming pattern, which tended to drown out any other colours in the room.

I know it seems like sacrilege to cover up an original feature, but we found a lovely limed oak engineered flooring with hints of grey in it that goes really well with the other pieces we have in the space.’

The couple decided not to replace the cooker as it was in good working order with a characterful appearance. ‘At one stage, we contemplated removing the chimney to make extra space, and having a built-in hob, but then my brother pointed out that, without the cooker we wouldn’t have a natural focus for the room,’ says Jo. ‘Now I’m really glad we kept the fireplace and mantel – the brickwork adds an interesting texture.’ Apart from the range, Jo and Al opted for integrated appliances, housed under the long run of base units and, to keep everything at an undercounter level, they decided to install two fridges, one with a freezer compartment. ‘There’s plenty of space spread over the two,’ says Jo. Elsewhere, the boiler that had previously been fitted on the wall inside the WC was remounted on the outside wall, with a bespoke cabinet to conceal it. A window replaced the old back door, letting in lots of light, while bi-folding doors are an easier and more pleasant way to walk straight out into the garden. ‘The doors took ages to come, so finishing the project dragged on for an extra three weeks, making a total time of six weeks,’ says Jo. ‘The old back door was bricked up before they arrived, so I had to climb out of the window to hang out the washing. It was funny at first – less so after a few weeks.

Once the doors were fitted, it was like a new room. A year on, I still walk in and feel happy to have this lovely space.’

NEW LAYOUT Below By removing the downstairs WC in one corner and blocking up a side door, a long run of kitchen cabinetry could be included BEFORE

AFTER

THE COSTS AND CONTACTS Kitchen units

Decoration

£8,700

£1,000

Building work

Appliances

£4,700

£720

Kitchen worktops

Plumbing

£3,530

£650

Bi-fold doors

TOTAL

£3,000

£29,098

Fitting kitchen and flooring

£2,550 Lights and electrics

£1,500 Windows

£1,400 Flooring

£1,348

Kitchen Woodwork Kitchens, 01892 533273, woodworkkitchens.co.uk Fit and building work Joe Harrison via Woodwork Kitchens Flooring Quick-Step quick-step.co.uk

CLASSIC COMBINATIONS Right A table from Made.com, and chairs by Habitat, complement the modern colour scheme. The existing range cooker has been left in the characterful original fireplace

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

RH_Whitson 2.indd 67

67

10/01/2017 14:04

The UK’s largest stocks of Quality Rugs & Large Rugs

PERSIAN | AFGHAN | CHINESE | INDIAN | PAKISTAN | MODERN | CONTEMPORARY Stores located at: Kaydon House, Kinmel Park, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, N Wales LL18 5TY • SAT NAV: LL18 5TZ Ridings Park, Eastern Way, Hawks Green, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 7FJ • SAT NAV: WS11 7FJ FrithRugs, Lythgoes Lane (A49), Warrington WA2 7XE • SAT NAV: WA2 7XE FrithRugs, 19a Vanguard Way, Shrewsbury SY1 3TG • SAT NAV: SY1 3TG Open: Mon-Sat: 10.00-5.00, Sunday & Bank Holidays: 10.00 - 4.00 FrithRugs is a trademark of GH Frith 16e04 Closed: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Easter Sunday (Bodelwyddan) Ltd.

4-54.indd 24

Tel: 0845 4 900 600 12/01/2017 15:59

£68 , Ecle ct Design

ut Co

,D ia .30 cm ,

K OC CL ur e

e m wa fra ll c d loc ure k, a colo lumin d l o ium with g

CHAIR Regalia stainless steel chair with gold-coloured polished brass finish, H82xW45xD43.5cm, £2,490, Touched Interiors

DESIGN EDIT

Bold brass

SIDE TABLE Alveare brass and antique mirror side table, H60xDia.45cm, £139.99, My Furniture

Add shine to your kitchen with brass pieces, like Jo Whitson has W TIL 30 E xL Vi 30 tra cm l M , £ osa 19 ic .9 g 9, la Ti ss le til D e, ev il

POT Nami tall brass pot, H37x Dia.28cm, £69.95, Nkuku

LIGHT Brass cobbler pendant light, H16xDia.21cm, £95, Grace & Glory

COOKER Rangemaster Classic Deluxe 90 electric range cooker in Cranberry with brass trim, H90xW90xD60cm, £1,594, John Lewis

TAP Newport bronze-effect monobloc traditional tap, H31.7x W16.8cm, Cooke & Lewis at B&Q

COMPILED BY AMELIA SMITH

BIRDS Trio of brass flying birds – small, H6x W13.5cm; medium, H9xW21cm; large, H10xW36cm, £40, The Nautical Company

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

GTL - WHITSON.indd 69

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

69

16/12/2016 09:33

DATED LOOK Right With its yellowing laminate flooring and old-fashioned wardrobes, the old bedroom was in need of a modern makeover

BEFORE

Real Homes CASE STUDY

MODERN BEDROOM MAKEOVER Julia Boiko gave a tired bedroom and dressing area a new lease of life with pops of colour and pattern WORDS SARAH WARWICK PHOTOGRAPHS RICHARD GADSBY

SLEEK STORAGE Above Julia is delighted she used accents of bold colour in her bedroom. Chair and mirror, both Wayfair. Throw, Marks & Spencer

THE OWNERS Julia Boiko lives here with her husband, Pavel, who works in the fruit business THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, detached 1960s house in north London JULIA LOVES Shopping at Wayfair The colour chartreuse 60 Minute Makeover Visiting bustling British towns The designer Kit Kemp Relaxing in her new master bedroom The film It’s Complicated TOTAL PROJECT COST £7,053

70

A

fter having the same style in my bedroom for many years, I was fed up with the look of it,’ says Julia. ‘Both the birch doors of the wardrobes and the wooden floor had gone yellow, and I just couldn’t stand to look at it anymore. One day, I woke up and called my builder to get started on a brand-new look. It was a snap decision but I’d spent months wondering what I could do with the space.’

Creating a stylish master bedroom had been part of Julia’s renovation plans ever since the house was first extended 12 years ago to create extra space on the top floor. Previously, the master bedroom was where a dressing room and en suite are now located, and extending meant the couple could have a more spacious room. However, time had taken its toll on the extension, the walls were cracked and the space needed redecorating.

As well as the builder, Julia contacted interior designer Elena Romanova, both of whom she’d met through friends. Elena had previously worked with Julia on the downstairs of her house and the pair had talked about a full home makeover, but it hadn’t happened. ‘I told Elena I was starting on the bedroom and that we should think about how it could look,’ say Julia. ‘She was shocked that I’d finally decided to go for it!’ Without a moment to ➤

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

RH_Hendon.indd 70

16/01/2017 09:26

FOCAL POINT The space-saving bed from Warren Evans is teamed with a tailor-made headboard covered in Elasona fabric in Caspian from the Astratto collection at Black Edition realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

RH_Hendon.indd 71

71

03/01/2017 09:56

lose, the builder repaired the walls and revamped the wardrobe doors in the dressing area. ‘I was going to replace them, but found they’re no longer available in that size,’ Julia explains. ‘So I had them sanded down and repainted instead, which saved some money.’ The yellowed flooring was then replaced with engineered wood in both the bedroom and dressing area, linking the two zones.

Aside from basic repairs, no structural work was required, so once the first fix was finished, including laying the new flooring, Julia and Elena could start piecing together the final scheme. As Julia didn’t have a specific look in mind, the colour palette and style evolved over time, with Elena sending lots of photographs so that Julia could say what she liked. ‘I loved a particular picture that showed a dark, classic-style piece of furniture combined with contemporary pieces and light fabrics,’ says Julia.

For the walls, Elena showed Julia different shades of grey to gauge her reaction. ‘We realised that I preferred those without a blue tone to them,’ Julia remembers. ‘Elena then persuaded me to introduce a bolder shade as well – I definitely needed an expert to make me colour confident.’

Having previously been attracted to muted tones inspired by Scandinavian interiors, Julia felt she was ready for a more sophisticated look, including both colour and pattern, so the new scheme includes pops of chartreuse and 72

blue alongside accessories in softer white and grey. The biggest hit of pattern comes in the form of a bespoke headboard, which Julia was initially set against, fearing that it might get dusty. Luckily, Elena convinced her it would make a fabulous feature. ‘I fell in love with the fabric for cushions,’ she explains. ‘It’s so lovely, that I realised it made sense to create more of a statement of it in a bigger area.’ With just 2.5 metres of the material required for the headboard, the design added wow factor and proved to be an affordable addition. ‘I couldn’t imagine the bedroom without it now,’ says Julia.

With her love for natural materials, Julia chose cotton for the headboard, a combination of linen and jute for the striped cushions, and then dressed the bed with a silk spread. For the window, she chose sheers made from linen, giving a simple, barely-there appearance.

Although creating the scheme was a straightforward and enjoyable process, the dimensions of the bedroom proved to be a challenge, as the original extension had a limited width in line with planning constraints, meaning it was difficult to move the position of furniture. It meant Julia had to update her old bed to a more compact design as, in the less-than-generous proportions of the room, she’d found herself knocking into it frequently. Improved lighting was also on the to-do list, including new fittings by

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

RH_Hendon.indd 72

03/01/2017 09:56

LONG VIEW Left Using French Grey – Dark from Little Greene on the walls keeps the bedroom feeling warm, while white on the ceiling emphasises the room’s generous height. The colour scheme is completed with punchier accent shades brought in through accessories. Flooring, Wood & Beyond

THE COSTS AND CONTACTS Decoration, including plastering and painting, wardrobe renovation and floor laying

Curtains

£1,500

£295

Chests of drawers

Armchair

£1,079

£228

Electrical work

Ming stool

£1,000

£108

Flooring

Ladder

£500

£99

Bed

TOTAL

£500

£7,053

Mirrors

interior design Elena Romanova Interiors, 07990 560264, elenainteriors.co.uk Plastering and decorating DP Art Decor, 07450 965804 Electrics Alex Bilodid, 07535 203876 Flooring Wood & Beyond

£459 Headboard and fabric

£450 Lighting

£435

£400

ROOM DESIGN The layout of the room remains unchanged due to the constraints of the long, narrow space.

The high ceiling helps the room appear bigger

Bedside chests

STORAGE SPACE Below Low drawers in a white finish, bought at Ikea, work alongside the existing wardrobes, which were revamped with white paint and handles from Zara

STYLISH COMBINATION Right Contrasting with the white wardrobes in the dressing area, a chest of drawers from Lombok adds a classic look. Mirror, Laura Ashley. Faux Hydrangea and Berry Bunch, Oka. Find a similar vase at Habitat

the dressing room mirror and wall lights above the bed, instead of bedside lamps. The project cost a little more than Julia anticipated because extra plastering was needed but, although the work was disruptive, she was able to move into another bedroom for the duration of the makeover. Overall, the transformation took around 10 weeks, with the only delays occurring when waiting for furniture to be delivered, but the finished result makes the wait worthwhile. ‘I’m so pleased I finally went ahead with the redesign, I just love it and it’s now my favourite room in the house,’ she says.

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

RH_Hendon.indd 73

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

73

03/01/2017 09:56

RUG Blox wool rug in Mustard, W120xL170cm, £129, The Rug Seller

ARMCHAIR Lola chair in Mustard Yellow velvet, H80xW64x D74cm, £399, Atkin & Thyme

PH O

N

ER et ro

T

TABLE LAMP FrauMaier Mini Sophie metal lamp, H46xW18xD18cm, £84, Furniture File

ng vi

in ne ho p e el

English Musta 746 rd, £5 2, 4L i

LIGHT SHADE Alena paper lampshade by Wolf & Wild in English Mustard, H25xW35cm, £35, Cuckooland

DESIGN EDIT

Mellow yellow Copy Julia Boiko and brighten your home with a splash of mustard BED Jonah king size bed in Dandelion Yellow with solid birch frame, H83xW163x D212cm, £549, Made.com

COMPILED BY AMELIA SMITH

CUSHION Sandra Blow Inside Story Yellow cushion cover, £60, Royal Academy Shop

THROW Cobweave wool throw in Mustard Yellow, £58, The British Blanket Co.

74

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

GTL HENDON.indd 74

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

03/01/2017 09:57

61-96.indd 75

12/01/2017 16:00

For advice on planning your dream bathroom, turn to page 123

76

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

BATHROOM LynnMarie.indd 76

04/01/2017 09:12

AFTER

Real Homes CASE STUDY

STYLISH BATHROOM REDESIGN Lynn-Marie Welch and Ian Harwood have turned their master suite into a show-stopping space combining modern and classic influences WORDS LINDSAY BLAIR PHOTOGRAPHS JEREMY PHILLIPS STYLING AMELIA WILSON

T FOCAL POINT A wall and wood panelling, painted in Downing Street

by Valspar, creates a bold statement.

Bath, Bathand shower.com. Tap and shower mixer, Victorian Plumbing.

Towel radiator, Bath Empire

here wasn’t anything seemingly wrong with Lynn-Marie’s master bathroom when she decided to renovate it, but after living with the space for 13 years, it was time for a change.

‘It was in perfect working order and suited the practical needs of Ian and I, but it was just an everyday, bog-standard suite that didn’t really fill me with excitement,’ she explains. ‘After several years of a plain, neutral style, I was ready for a new look and wanted a more modern, stylish design, but with classic details.’

The new suite not only had to be practical, but Lynn-Marie wanted to remain sympathetic to the era of the four-bedroom Victorian property, too. She enlisted the help of interior designer Amelia Wilson, who she had previously worked with when redesigning the master bedroom. The pair had already talked about tackling the bathroom and had some initial ideas, but in February 2016, they set more detailed plans in motion.

‘Amelia is great and understands my style of mixing new and old pieces to create a unique look, so she was brimming with ideas from the very start,’ Lynn-Marie explains. ‘I was keen to have a separate bath and a shower, BEFORE like in the old suite, but I wanted a larger, walk-in-style shower and a new freestanding bath – I’d already spotted the double-ended style that I wanted online.’ Working to Lynn-Marie’s brief, Amelia created a mood board showcasing a monochrome design, complete with an antique dresser and bold floor tiles as focal points. She introduced emerald green – Lynn-Marie’s favourite colour – in accessories, such as the blind, as an accent against the black and white. ‘One thing she suggested was to paint the wall by the bath in black and the door and skirting boards to match,’ ➤

DATED SUITE Below Although it was in full working order, the previous bathroom was old fashioned and in need of updating to create a more modern scheme

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

BATHROOM LynnMarie.indd 77

77

04/01/2017 09:12

remembers Lynn-Marie. ‘I was unsure at first as I was worried about the room looking too dark, but Amelia twisted my arm and I’m so pleased she did, because it looks amazing.’ While the layout was to remain mostly unchanged, the WC would be moved along the wall slightly to make room for the dresser with sink on top, and new towel radiators and lighting would be installed, too.

With a plan in place, Lynn-Marie and Ian got to work removing the old suite and the existing tiles in the April, doing the work themselves to save money. ‘We both have demanding jobs and I was studying for a promotion, so preparing the bathroom was the most stressful part,’ Lynn-Marie explains. ‘We’d organised for tradesmen to come in and start work soon after, which meant we were under pressure to get all the tiles off in time.’ After spending late nights and weekends on the job, the room was ready to be replastered and new plumbing works carried out.

The couple hired Ian Norman, who they’d seen advertised locally, to plaster the room, while Ben Butler worked on the plumbing, electrics, joinery, tiling and installing the 78

new fittings and fixtures. ‘We asked a number of tradesmen for quotes and many came back too expensive for our budget, but Ben’s price was very reasonable and he could work on most of the jobs we needed, so he was the perfect fit,’ says Lynn-Marie. The plumbing was the most timeconsuming part of the project, taking around three days to complete as the pipes had to be updated to suit modern safety standards. Ben removed the floorboards in order to reroute some of the plumbing and waste pipes to the new location for the WC and sink, and the shower also had to be replumbed as the new design would run off the boiler, unlike the old electric style. Once this was complete and the plaster dry, the space rapidly began to take shape.

‘Next on the list was to wire in new spotlights in the ceiling and uplighters for the floor, as well as a lamp above the mirror, which all make the room lovely and bright,’ says Lynn-Marie. The WC was then put back in, the shower enclosure installed, and the floor tiles and wall tiles in the shower area fitted. ‘We stayed in the house while the bathroom was being done and visited friends nearby when

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

BATHROOM LynnMarie.indd 78

04/01/2017 09:12

CLASSIC MIX Left Lynn-Marie wanted a unique style, so chose a combination of new pieces and vintage finds for the space. Dresser, Old Mill Antiques in Manchester.

Basin, mixer and WC, Victorian Plumbing. Blind, Direct Blinds.

Artwork, Ebay

SPACIOUS SHOWER Right The shower enclosure was made larger and tiled in a metro design from Topps Tiles. Enclosure, Victorian Plumbing.

Shower, B&Q. Floor tiles, Roccia in Preston

THE OWNERS Lynn-Marie Welch, a police sergeant, lives here with her partner Ian Harwood, a police officer THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Victorian terraced house in Workington, Cumbria LYNN-MARIE LOVES Her freestanding bath Shopping for homeware at TK Maxx The colour green Watching Criminal Minds Holidays in Mexico

For more inspiration, follow us on instagram @real_homes

TOTAL PROJECT COST £6,120

we needed a shower,’ she explains. ‘The toilet was the last thing to be removed and the first thing to go back in, which was a big help. We had to keep the new suite in our living room for a few days, so it was a relief when it could finally be fitted and exciting as I could see it all taking shape.’

Only one week after work had begun, the new bathroom was in place and the only things left were to paint the wood panelling and wall in black, which Lynn-Marie and Ian did themselves, and put the finishing touches to the space by hanging the green roman blind, vintage-style mirrors, artwork and accessories. Once the paint had dried, Ben returned to connect the bath’s plumbing and the space was complete. ‘I wanted a mix of styles and I absolutely love the finished design,’ says Lynn-Marie. ‘My bathroom expresses my style, and although the layout and size of the room haven’t changed, it seems much larger and lighter. Before, it was just a bathroom, but now I can shut the door and relax in a beautiful setting – it’s a much nicer place to be.’

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

BATHROOM LynnMarie.indd 79

NEW LAYOUT Left The sink and WC were moved along the wall slightly, offering more space for the bath area, while the shower enclosure was expanded

THE COSTS AND CONTACTS Bathroom fitting, including electrics, plumbing and tiling

£1,800 Furnishing and accessories, including lighting

£1,650 Bathroom suite

£1,200 Plastering, paint and window

£1,070

Tiles

£400 TOTAL

£6,120 Interior design Amelia Wilson Interiors, ameliawilsoninteriors.co.uk Installation Ben Butler, 07730 451361 Plastering Ian Norman, 01900 379866

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

79

04/01/2017 09:12

Marrakech Catarina Copper 4 patterned tile in porcelain, W30xL30cm, £16.99 per m2, Tile Mountain

t

t

Casablanca mono decor 2/12 decorative and glazed porcelain tile, W20xL20cm, £40.80 per m2, Mandarin Stone

Brandeis muted blue ceramic tile, W20x L20cm, £29.95 per m2, Walls and Floors

DESIGN EDIT

Patterned f loor tiles

t

Wellesley Victorian ceramic floor tile in Green/ Red, W15xL15cm, £460 per m2, Original Style

Follow Lynn-Marie’s lead and bring colour to your bathroom with Victorian-inspired tiles t

Sarum porcelain patterned tile, W20xL20cm, £46.62 per m2, Marlborough Tiles

t 80

pg 80 .indd 80

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

t

Chelsea encaustic patterned tile, W20xL20cm, £90 per m2, Ca’Pietra

Madeira Olival handmade cement tile, W20xL20cm, £195 per m2, Fired Earth

COMPILED BY SOPHIE WARREN-SMITH

London Piccadilly porcelain tile, W20 xL20cm, £45 per m2, The Baked Tile Company

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

11/01/2017 09:11

ARCHITECTURE IN GLASS

FOR A COMPLIMENTARY BROCHURE OR A DESIGN CONSULTATION CALL 0800 328 0033

w w w. a p r o p o s u k . c o m Authorised & Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authorit

ORANGERIES | CONSERVATORIES | ATRIUMS | POOL HOUSES | EXTENSIONS | SUMMER HOUSES | VERANDAS

61-96.indd 81

12/01/2017 16:00

Dream TRANSFORMATION

AFTER

BEFORE OLD FASHIONED Above The current owner grew up in the bungalow on the site but it was too small and dated for her current needs

Radical rebuild

Architect Grant Freeman explains how a bold, contemporary home replaced a dated 1950s bungalow

PHOTOGRAPHS MARTIN GARDENER

W

e were asked to create a light, spacious family home with a sense of drama to replace a 1950s bungalow, which was where the owner grew up. Due to its location in the Metropolitan Green Belt, the local planning authority would initially only allow a 10 per cent increase in size over the existing bungalow. However, after much negotiation, we eventually received permission for a 40 per cent increase in size by showing how the existing properly could hypothetically have been extended without any planning permission under permitted development rights.

The replacement house also had to respect the height of the surrounding

82

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

GRAND TRAN 1.indd 82

bungalows. By manipulating the levels and stepping the building down on the site, the flat roof now sits below the ridge lines of the adjoining houses, in spite of it being a storey higher.

The house comprises two long ‘wrapping’ elements infilled with cedar panels and large expanses of glazing at each end. Set between these is a double-height glazed atrium that links all the spaces together and creates a visual connection between the front and the back of the house.

A study and kitchen are located at the front of the house on the ground floor, with the dining area and a large double-height living room at the rear. Glazing opens up the house to the garden, which overlooks Biggin

Hill Airport. On the first floor are two large double bedrooms, a family bathroom and a master suite with dressing area and en suite.

The project provided us with the challenge of building a bespoke, contemporary house on a very restricted budget. Using costeffective building products and materials that were simple to construct on site limited the need for specialist trades, which meant we were able to reduce the build costs by around 40 per cent compared to other similar houses.

Architect: OB Architecture, 01962 865 344, obarchitecture.co.uk Number of bedrooms: Three Build cost £375,000 FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

14/12/2016 09:45

MARCH 2017

GRAND TRAN 1.indd 83

PHOTOGRAPHS MARTINGARDNER.COM

STRIKING DESIGN Above and left By stepping the property down, architect Grant was able to build a two-storey property, despite the surrounding houses all being single storey. The structural glazing is from Apropos, with aluminium windows from Velfac. The render is from Weber

83

03/01/2017 10:04

Dream TRANSFORMATION

AFTER

BEFORE

For your in-depth guide to kitchen extensions, turn to page 87

Striking addition

Above The outside of the semi-detached property looked tired, with previous additions, such as the loft conversion and rear extension, failing to make it any more attractive

Architect Peter Lancaric explains how a kitchen extension transformed this four-bedroom house in Lewisham

PHOTOGRAPHS MARIUSZ GARAJ AND DAVID BANK

T

he original ground-floor layout of this house consisted of a living room, a separate poky kitchen, and a small utility room/WC. The owners wanted a larger, open-plan kitchen as cooking and entertaining are a big part of their lives. And the exterior of the property, with its unsightly additions, also needed a new lease of life.

The extension includes a sitting area, dining area and kitchen, with a vaulted ceiling that accentuates the grandeur of the space. Three large rooflights bring light into the depths of the room and are operated by remote control, with sensors to close them automatically in bad weather.

Externally, the mono-pitched roof and white render were chosen to reference the original house and complement the dark-grey stain of the timber-clad façade.

The project required planning permission as the depth and height

84

of the extension exceeded the current limits of permitted development. This was granted without difficulty and the owners of the neighbouring houses were also pleased with how sensitively the proposed extension fitted in without being overbearing or compromising their privacy.

The project was designed with budget in mind, as I believe that good design does not need to break the bank. The form of the extension, which is sympathetic to the original building, together with careful consideration of details and the materials used, have transformed the existing property into a fresh, contemporary home.

The project demonstrates how remarkable results can be achieved, even on a relatively modest budget.

Architect: P.LANStudio, 07930 696769, plstudio.co.uk Number of bedrooms: Four Project cost: £90,000

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

GRAND TRAN 2.indd 84

14/12/2016 09:46

DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT The new extension has refreshed the whole exterior of the property. The white render is complemented by hardwood cladding with a dark-grey stain, which matches the decking.

Aluminium windows, Viva. Remotecontrolled rooflights, Fakro

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

GRAND TRAN 2.indd 85

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

85

14/12/2016 09:46

ARCHITECTURE IN GLASS FOR A COMPLIMENTARY BROCHURE OR A DESIGN CONSULTATION CALL 0800 328 0033

www.aproposuk.com

Authorised & Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

ORANGERIES | CONSERVATORIES | ATRIUMS | POOL HOUSES | EXTENSIONS | SUMMER HOUSES | VERANDAS

GATES Accessing Intelligence

IQ Gates are the leaders in automated gate design, engineering and installation based in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

Contact us to book a showroom visit where we will be able to answer any queries or questions you may have about our automated gates and services.

The Courtyard Showroom, Sky House, Raans Road, Amersham, HP6 6JQ

T 01494 722 880

61-96.indd 86

E hello@iqgates.co.uk

W www.iqgates.co.uk

12/01/2017 16:00

Real Homes ADVICE

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO

kitchen extensıons

Extending your kitchen might be the biggest investment you make for your home, but it’s also the most likely to add value – here’s how to get it right FEATURE LUCY SEARLE

How to design your extensıon VALUABLE ADDITION This side-return extension has created a wide, light-filled kitchen-diner that’s flooded with light thanks to the glazed roof. The island has a hob, sink and work surface made from composite stone, while the Urbo kitchen units are in a high-gloss Pigeon Grey. The floor tiles are a highly durable concrete-effect that help to bounce light around.

Bespoke kitchens start at £35,000, including installation, Roundhouse

Start by working out the footprint of the extension you’re looking for – will it be single or double storey? Could any existing underused spaces, such as a dining room or an integral garage, be incorporated into it?

‘Consider how you are going to link the extension to your existing property and how it will impact on your garden,’ says Richard Witcher, partner at Witcher Crawford Architects. ‘If you have restricted garden space, then a small side-return extension could provide the room you need, while a single-storey rear extension that spans the width of the property could work best if you have more room. By extending outwards, you can link existing areas together

to create a bigger, more open room.

This will not only add value to your property, but will make everyday living more enjoyable – and it can bring a lot of natural light inside.’

Next, consider the external style of your extension. Would a minimalist, glazed, contemporary extension suit your property best – or perhaps a brick-built, traditional addition?

Would a glazed, flat or pitched roof be an asset? Should you match existing materials for a seamless join with the old building – or go for new materials that create a contrast?

It’s worth thinking about all of this before you have your first architect’s meeting. Consider what might suit the style and proportions of your home, and do some research on what your local council might approve. Think, too, about how the extension might echo your interiors. ➤ realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

KITCHEN EXTENSIONS.indd 87

87

16/01/2017 09:27

61-96.indd 88

12/01/2017 16:00

NATURAL LIGHT Kitchen cabinetry is often best placed at the back of an extension, leaving space for dining and living areas next to the garden. The placement of the rooflights in this extension create pools of light in the dining and cooking areas, just where it’s needed.

Bespoke, hand-painted kitchen, from £45,000, Smallbone of Devizes

Should I employ an architect or designer?

What you decide may be down to budget, but bear in mind that using professionals will get you a better result and could save you money in the long run. ‘Building any sort of extension is no light undertaking and it’s incredibly worthwhile getting a professional in at an early stage,’ advises Richard. ‘An architect can help you with everything from the design and technical drawings of your extension to full project management. They will also be able to assist with any complex planning issues.’ Try to find an architect with experience designing similar extensions to what you want to achieve, and talk to previous clients for references.

Search for architects using arb.org.uk or architecture.com.

Are open-plan layouts always the best option?

INDUSTRIAL VIBE This contemporary, bespoke, open-plan extension has been given an on-trend industrial feel, with its aluminium framing, factory-style lights and wooden floor. The extension has an automatic ventilation system and solar-controlled glazing for practical, year-round comfort. Prices for similar glazed extensions start from £15,000, Apropos

While open-plan kitchen-dining-living spaces are highly desirable, if yours will be the only family-sized reception room in the house, it’s worth having the option of dividing the kitchen and dining areas off from the living area – perhaps with glazed doors or walls. Another space you might want to separate out is a utility area that can house noisy appliances. Equally, if you can accommodate a walk-in larder, you can cut down on cabinetry to create a kitchen that feels less functional and more like a living space. If you’d rather keep the entire space open-plan, consider how to prevent the cooking area from becoming a main thoroughfare. ‘Making space for an island will create a soft division between the working, cooking side and family area,’ says Matt Chambers, designer at Roundhouse. ➤ realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

KITCHEN EXTENSIONS.indd 89

89

13/01/2017 11:11

FUTURE Award-winning glazing systems German engineered to last At IDSystems, we’ve been at the forefront of glazing technology for over 17 years and created some of the most innovative and complex projects currently achieved.

Whatever your vision for your home, you can rely on unrivalled standards of quality, workmanship and care, both now and in many years to come.

BI-FOLD DOORS SLIDING DOORS GLASS BALUSTRADES SLIDE & TURN SYSTEMS MOVEABLE WALLS WINDOW & ROOF SYSTEMS

CONTACT US t 01603 408 804 e info@idsystems.co.uk idsystems.co.uk

61-96.indd 90

12/01/2017 16:00

Will I need planning permission?

Find out whether you’ll need Many local authorities allow for extensions to the planning permission rear of the property under permitted development, at realhomes.co.uk/ which means you don’t need to seek planning do-I-need-planningpermission. You can currently extend up to eight permission metres in depth from the rear of a detached house, or six metres for an attached one under this. However, the same rules do not apply if your home is listed or within a Conservation Area. The size, shape and form of the extension can also affect whether permission is needed, so always check with your local planning authority before starting work. If full permission is required, it costs £172 in England. Your work will require building regulations approval from your local authority to ensure that the minimum design and construction standards are achieved.

Finding the right tradespeople Recommendations from friends and family are always preferable. However, looking for members of professional trade associations should guarantee quality work.

Architects: Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) at architecture.com Structural engineers: The Institution of Structural Engineers (ISE) at istructe.org Chartered Surveyors: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) at rics.org.uk Builders: Federation of Master Builders (FMB) at fmb.orguk

OLD MEETS NEW This Victorian semi-detached property in north London has been transformed with a ground-floor extension. A clear distinction between old and new is defined by the materials, including graphite zinc and black steel, which are used as a contrast to the brick of the original house. It cost £330,000, designed by Kirkwood McCarthy Architects

How much does an extension cost

ARCHITECTURAL CONTRAST The brief for the renovation of this Grade II-listed Victorian semi in west London was to inject a breath of fresh air into the property while retaining the period features the owner loved. Dos Architects designed a stainless steel extension frame with glass inserts – a bold addition that contrasts beautifully with the original architecture. It cost £80,000

Use the Real Homes extension cost calculator at realhomes.co.uk/extensioncost-calculator for an accurate idea of what your extension will cost. As your guide: ■ Building work costs between £1,500 and £3,000 per m2.

■ An architect’s fees will range from three to seven per cent of the overall build cost, with a minimum of around £2,400.

■ A structural engineer’s fees will range from £500 to £1,000.

■ Bi-fold doors will add between £1,400 and £1,800 per metre to your costs.

■ Planning fees will cost from £172 and a certificate of lawful development £86.

■ Building control fees cost upwards of £330 for a 10m2 extension.

■ Kitchen design fees can range from around £20 to £150 per m2, and kitchens from around £3,000 to £50,000 or more.

■ Party wall surveys can cost from £700 to £1,000 per neighbour.

■ Lighting designers charge from around £100 for an hour’s consultation.

■ A new boiler will cost from £2,300.

■ Decorating and tiling costs from around £77 per m2.

■ Flooring installation is £24-52 per m2. ➤ realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

KITCHEN EXTENSIONS.indd 91

91

13/01/2017 14:08

Just one touch tells you all you need to know Operate a Schueco sliding door and the rigidity, effortless action and solid clunk as it closes proclaim one thing: quality.

Systems include doors that slide, lift-and-slide and use frameless technology to deliver outstanding panoramic views. Also available: slender-profiled windows, slimline façades and super-secure entrance doors, all with the highest levels of insulation that can be up to Passive House standard.

For German engineering made in Britain, there’s only one name.

For more information and your nearest Schueco Partner installers: www.schueco.co.uk

61-96.indd 92

12/01/2017 16:00

STATEMENT EXTENSION A top-lit, double-height dining area maximises the light and space in this galleried sidereturn extension. The blackpainted wood cladding of the exterior creates a sympathetic contrast with the original brickwork. The kitchen cabinetry, by British Standard Cupboards, costs from £8,000 ➤

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

KITCHEN EXTENSIONS.indd 93

93

16/01/2017 09:27

61-96.indd 94

12/01/2017 16:00

Perfect the interior layout

CONSERVATORY KITCHEN Make the most of a fabulous garden with a conservatory-style extension. A similar structure will cost from £15,000 at Apropos.

Urbo handleless matt lacquer kitchen in Farrow & Ball’s Skimming Stone and walnut veneer, from £35,000, Roundhouse

The worst thing you can do in an open-plan layout, is to try to squeeze too much in. So, if your extension is comfortably big enough for a kitchen and dining area but will feel cramped with a living space, consider whether you can make do with a smaller seating area or take a different approach to dining. ‘Banquette seating is a great option for smaller rooms as the table can be pushed closer in to provide extra space,’ says Alex Findlater, who specialises in bespoke building, furniture and design. ‘The kitchen is usually sited at the back of the new extension, with the sitting area next to the windows or doors to the garden where you can make the most of natural light. The dining table should be placed somewhere between the two, so that you don’t have to walk across the living space with food.’

TO KEEP THE COST OF 5WAYS YOUR EXTENSION DOWN 1 Keep your extension design simple – so, no quirky curves or awkward corners.

2 Choose standard, off-the-shelf doors and windows rather than bespoke one-offs.

3 Go for a simple roof design – a pitched, tiled roof is cheaper than bespoke glazing.

4 Don’t specify unusual materials or items with long lead times that will hold up progress.

5 Do some of the simpler jobs yourself – from labouring to tiling and decorating – and project manage the build yourself, too.

Including glazing in your design Glazing isn’t just about making the most of a view – it’s about maximising light, too. There are various ways to bring in glazing, such as roof lights, glazed walls, picture windows and bi-fold or sliding doors. ‘An extension will take away some of the original light source to your rooms, so think about options such as a bank of roof lights or a roof lantern,’ says Richard Witcher. Floor-to-ceiling glazing looks great in contemporary schemes. ‘Just remember, you can never have too much light,’ says the creative director of Naked Kitchens, Jayne Everett. ➤

See page 105 for advice on choosing feature windows

DOUBLE-STOREY EXTENSION Extending at ground floor level? It can be cost-efficient to add on an upstairs room at the same time, using swathes of glazing on both levels for wow-factor results.

This award-winning double storey glass and aluminium extension with bi-folding doors and self-cleaning glass is by Apropos.

Prices start at £15,000

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

KITCHEN EXTENSIONS.indd 95

95

13/01/2017 14:08

61-96.indd 96

12/01/2017 16:00

Plan your lighting scheme

MERGE INDOORS AND OUT This part-solid, part-glazed extension, with its bank of doors, creates the perfect indoor-outdoor link. Bespoke glass and aluminium kitchen extension with bi-fold doors, from £15,000, Apropos

While designing the room’s layout, consider the lighting carefully. Highlighting the various zones will help make the room successful, starting with cooking and prep areas, which need to be well-lit. ‘It is essential to have multiple layers of light in a kitchen,’ says Karen Wallis-Smith, director of lighting specialists Fritz Fryer. ‘Task lighting can be achieved by means of simple, stylish pendants over an island and LED strips on the underside of eye-level cupboards, illuminating the work surface. Depending on the size of the kitchen, it is also nice to include carefully positioned recessed downlights.’

A dining area will benefit from dimmable lighting, while living spaces should be lit with decorative lighting, such as table lamps, to create a cosy, inviting glow. And don’t ignore external lighting – a few well-placed accent lights will help merge the outside space with indoors. If you don’t like the idea of a bank of light switches on the wall, consider a system that has a single control keypad and enables you to create pre-programmed lighting schemes.

COLOUR CONTRAST When your extension is minimalist in style, choosing a kitchen in a bold colour helps to create a room that has bags of personality. This Linear kitchen features sleek lines and concealed hinges for a contemporary vibe; it comes painted or ready-for-painting so you can choose exactly the shade you like. It costs from £18,000, Harvey Jones

HOW LONG WILL THE BUILD TAKE?

Choosing your kitchen

A typical timespan for construction of a single-storey extension, with no delays, is about 13 weeks. For a week-by-week extension planner, head to realhomes.co.uk.

‘The build time can vary and is heavily dependent on the lead times of materials,’ advises Richard. ‘For example, if the design incorporates considerable glass, the lead time is typically 12 to 13 weeks. You may have gaps in the build process while materials come on site and will need to mitigate this to ensure the project runs to plan. It will be up to whoever is your project manager to make sure this all runs as smoothly as possible.’

‘A minimal, modern design will allow the kitchen to blend into the architecture, letting your furnishings and artwork give the room character,’ says Matt Chambers, designer at Roundhouse. ‘However, strong colours, such as petrol blue or deep green, on shaker-style units are on-trend at the moment, especially when combined with brass or copper finishes.’ In the end, your decisions will be driven by your taste and budget. But remember to consider practicality – a tiled floor may be hardwearing but can cold in a larger space, whereas wood flooring will add warmth but need maintenance over the years to keep it looking good.

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

KITCHEN EXTENSIONS.indd 97

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

97

16/01/2017 09:27

ADVERTORIAL Real Homes

CREATE A FOCAL POINT If you’re looking to invest in a contemporary stove, Contura has two new models designed to transform any space

I

nstalling a wood-burning stove is fast becoming a key part of any home transformation, acting as a natural focal point in your room.

To help you create the perfect new-look living space, Contura’s two new stoves are both stylish and practical.

The 710 and 720T models are both small and compact, with clean, simple lines. Both models have one glass panel at the front and solid sides, making them easy to fit into any home, whatever its size.

Contura is one of Europe’s market leaders in stove design and manufacture, combining traditional Swedish engineering skill with a modern aesthetic. Its stoves are made with great consideration for the environment, producing lower emissions than ever before.

They also come with user-friendly features, such as soft-close doors and finger-touch sensitivity.

98

JUNE 2016 MARCH 2017realhomes.co.uk realhomes.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL contura subbed.indd 98

The compact shape of the Contura 710 means it can be placed into a corner, while offering a heat output of 3-7kW. But if you’re looking for extra efficiency, choose the Contura 720T, which has an attractive heatretaining soapstone surround and releases the heat over a longer period of time. Both are available with a glass or sheet metal floor protector, plus an outside air connection and chimney.

‘A lot of people have asked for a stove with clean, simple lines that is easy to position, which made it extra special for us to be able to introduce the 710 and 720T,’ says Phil Wood, Contura’s UK country manager.

The 700 series is available from Contura dealers across the country – the 710 costs from £1,645, while the 720T is priced from £2,505. These models complement the best-selling 750 and 780 stoves. To view the full range and find your local stockist, visit contura.eu/english.

Above The 710, painted sheetmetal stove with cast-iron door and top, H115xW45.9 xD37.2cm, £1,645

Below The 720T soapstone-clad stove with cast-iron door, H117.9xW55.6 xD40.7cm, £2,505

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

13/01/2017 11:00

99-132.indd 99

13/01/2017 11:49

99-132.indd 100

12/01/2017 16:01

Real Homes EXPERT ADVICE

HOW TO CREATE A

Utility room A dedicated utility is the best way to keep appliances and laundry separate from open-plan living spaces. Here’s how to create one, even if you’re not extending FEATURE LAURA CROMBIE

W

ith an ever-increasing number of appliances and gadgets in our kitchens, having a separate space to store them, as well as somewhere to carry out tasks such as the laundry, makes sense,’ says Matthew Franklin, senior chartered architect at Etc Design. In fact, utility rooms are now seen as an essential element of a modern family home, just like an en suite or cloakroom. ‘It’s very unusual if a utility room isn’t part of a kitchen redesign these days,’ explains Melanie Clear, founder and director of Clear Architects. And with the continuing popularity of open-plan living, a utility allows you to create separation between your main living space and those functional tasks.

The first step to creating your utility is to consider what you need from it in terms of space, appliances and equipment. It could be a place for a washing machine and dryer; a laundry room with ironing space; somewhere for pets and muddy boots; or more of a back kitchens with units, a sink and worktops.

IF YOU’RE EXTENDING When you’re planning an extension, think from the outset about where you’d like your utility room to be. ‘You won’t want it spoiling a view to the garden, but you might like it to have access to the outside, which means it will need to be on an external wall,’ says Matthew. In an extension, the size of your utility will also be governed by the space you want to allocate to the kitchen, which should always be more important. ‘It makes

sense to have your utility as close to the kitchen as possible, as it is more convenient and less expensive for the utilities to be connected, but there is no hard and fast rule,’ says Jamie Telford, director at Roundhouse.

IF YOU’RE USING EXISTING SPACE ‘I’d advise looking at what spaces in the house might be underused and considering whether they might suit your requirements for a utility,’ says Matthew. ‘Is there an area of the kitchen that’s a bit of a dumping ground? Are you using your garage or the space under the stairs to full advantage?’ Once you’ve decided where you’d like to put a utility, you

can use partition walls to create a separate room, or, if the space is already defined, such as under the stairs, simply install units, lighting, plumbing and appliances. ‘If you go to a bespoke kitchen company, it will mean that the cabinetry can be built to fit,’ adds Jamie. ‘It’s often surprising how much can be squeezed into the smallest of spaces.’

WHAT TO CONSIDER ‘It’s important that a utility is practical, functional and flows well with the rest of the house,’ says Melanie. ‘Ideally, the room should be sited near to the kitchen with outside access and good ventilation.

If it is to be used predominantly as a ➤

MULTI-PURPOSE Right If space isn’t an issue, then your utility can have a number of uses, like this utilitycum-boot room in Hampshire. It includes a Belfast sink, plenty of worktop and storage space, a washer and dryer, plus room to stash away boots and hang up coats.

A 60cm base unit from 1909 kitchens costs from £450 – this space was designed by Elliots Living Spaces of Lymington

MARCH 2017

Utilities 2.indd 101

101

16/01/2017 11:57

washroom, you may prefer to locate it upstairs, near to bedrooms, to make laundry easier, or perhaps in a cellar space, so no floor area needs to be sacrificed on the ground floor.’

You will need to think about heating, water supply, lighting, ventilation and drainage. It makes sense to locate your utility room close to existing connections for drains and ventilation, but you can pay to have these installed anywhere in the house.

If your utility will mostly be used as a pantry or appliance store, it needs to be no more than a well-lit and cool space with shelves. If you want it to be more like a mini-kitchen, you’ll want to include units, worktops, sink, and perhaps a fridge and freezer, too.

OUTSIDE LINK Right If possible, make sure your utility room has outside access so that it can double up as a boot room.

If you have pets, this will also help you keep muddy paws out of the rest of the house.

This Cooke & Lewis Carisbrooke kitchen in Ivory veneer costs from £2,150 for a galley-style run of eight units, B&Q

DESIGN DETAILS ‘If the utility room is connected to the kitchen, it makes sense to use the same style of cabinetry as this will enhance the feeling of space and visual continuity,’ says Jamie.

‘Consider the practicality of the worktops and the internal layout of the cupboards – you might need to factor in space for upright vacuum cleaners, mops and brushes, for example, as these all need to be housed in tall cupboards.’

Utility rooms may not have natural light, so combining a well-lit room with a neutral or light-reflecting unit will help give a spacious feel. ‘You may also wish to consider choosing handleless styles with integrated appliances for a seamless look in smaller utility spaces,’ says Tony.

The flooring will need to be hardwearing and practical, so consider tiles, slate or vinyl. Solid wooden flooring is best avoided because moisture and humidity could cause it to warp over time. An extractor fan will lessen the effects of condensation, and underfloor heating will help dry your washing without taking up wall space.

‘And it may sound obvious, but don’t forget to factor in ample lighting and power points in your design for all your appliances,’ adds Tony.

WHAT WILL IT COST? If you’re extending to create a larger kitchen-diner with a utility room, expect to pay from £1,380 per square metre for a basic single-storey extension, up to £2,100 per square metre for a more bespoke design.

To repurpose an existing space, such as an understairs cupboard, 102

or to section off part of your current kitchen, expect to pay from £300 for the creation of new walls/doors/ windows and plastering.

You’ll also need to factor in plumbing costs, which will vary depending on whether you have existing pipework or not. It will cost £50-£100 to install a new washing machine or dryer if pipes are in place, or £150-£200 if new pipework is needed. For a new sink, expect to pay £100-£200 with existing pipework, or £200-£300 without. Plus, the cost of the appliances/sink on top of this.

A qualified electrician will be needed for lighting and power points.

Expect to pay from £50 to £150 per light fitting, power socket or light switch. If you need an extractor fan, this will cost from £50 to £100, too.

For underfloor heating, expect to pay £36-48 per m² for a wet system or £15-27 per m² for dry.

BESPOKE DESIGN Right Just because a utility room is functional doesn’t mean it can’t look great. At this house in the South Downs, the utility room was painted in a bespoke shade of grey.

Classic English utility, from £10,000, Devol

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

Utilities 2.indd 102

16/01/2017 11:57

HOW TO FIND TRADESPEOPLE

SMART STORAGE Above Including floor-to-ceiling storage in your utility will allow you to hide away appliances, as well as create storage for coats, mops, your ironing board and vacuum. These Furore units, in oyster and black oak gloss, cost from £10,000, at Crown Imperial

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

Utilities 2.indd 103

Recommendations from friends and family are always the best way to find trades, but the following industry bodies can also be helpful: Builders – Federation of Master Builders, 0330 333 777, fmb.org.uk; TrustMark, 0333 555 1234, trustmark.org.uk Electricians – National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting, 0870 013 0389, niceic.com Kitchen designers – Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installers, 0845 519 2007, ikbbi.org.uk Plumbers - Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors, 0121 711 5030, aphc.co.uk n Always obtain at least three quotes from tradespeople, and remember, the cheapest isn’t always the best if not all your requirements are met. n Ask potential suppliers for references and think about whether you can see yourself working with the tradesperson for the duration of the project. n Agree what the tradesperson is responsible for, including hours and order of works, price and payment plan, before you sign a contract. realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

103

16/01/2017 11:58

99-132.indd 104

12/01/2017 16:01

BESPOKE DESIGN Make a feature of a sloping ceiling by installing a window that accentuates the lines of the architecture. This house in Essex has an angled, fixed frame window, measuring H250x W90cm, which cost around £900.

The tilt and turn picture window, which measures H240xW110cm, helps exaggerate the width of the room and frames the view; it cost around £1,200. Both are from Express Bi-folding Doors

Real Homes EXPERT ADVICE

Make a statement with

FEATURE WINDOWS Whether you’re adding a contemporary extension or revamping a dated property, feature windows are guaranteed to add wow factor. Here’s what to consider when designing and planning yours WORDS LUCY SEARLE

What styles are avaılable?

There’s a whole range of window shapes to choose from: huge picture windows framing a great view; slit windows that let light into narrow spaces; corner windows that maximise glazing; clerestory windows that allow you to introduce high-level glazing into overlooked rooms. While you’re working up your designs – ideally alongside an architect – consider how your windows’ shapes and proportions will enhance not only the interior of the house, but also the transformation it will bring to its exterior. For contemporary homes, the general rule is that the subtler the frame the better. However, bear in mind that narrower frames and wider spans of glazing do usually mean greater expense. ➤

MODERN OPTION Giving a traditional property a contemporary makeover? Choose large frameless-effect windows to create a modern-looking bay. The oriel window seat in this detached home in Suffolk is made of framelesseffect fixed structural glass units with strengthening ionoplast interlayers, which help create lighter and safer laminated glass.

The frameless side returns and fixed structural glass top unit are all joined with structural glass-to-glass connections. It measures ➤ H161xW374xD50cm and cost around £8,000, IQ Glass realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

windows.indd 105

105

16/01/2017 10:41

ARCHITECTS DUSEK ARCHITECTS PHOTOGRAPH RICHARD DEAN

Which frame material should I choose?

Timber frames come in both soft and hardwood options, with the latter being more durable but also more costly.

Softwood options include Douglas fir, while oak is a popular hardwood. Wood softens the sharp angles of contemporary homes and suits period renovations, but is not strong enough to frame vast expanses of glazing. It is usually painted once installed, then every few years afterwards.

Composite frames are a combination of a timber frame with a weather-proof exterior layer, usually in aluminium or plastic. They are gaining in popularity because you can get the look of different timbers – or any RAL colour – with the low-maintenance qualities of aluminium or plastic. There’s also the option of one finish inside and another outside.

Metal frames, either in steel or aluminium, are very low maintenance and, importantly, can support large expanses of glazing, with steel being the strongest of the two. They’re ideal for minimalist, contemporary properties, and can come in a range of finishes and patinas, or any RAL colour.

Metal can also be used to create Crittall-look windows that are on-trend for loft-style transformations – try Clement Windows or Met Therm if this is the look you’re going for.

Frameless windows are achieved with high-spec structural glass units, which are generally fixed into the building using minimal angles. As there are fixed elements, the building finishes can then be used to cover all of the fixings and create the look of a frameless window. These can be used on fixed rooflights, picture windows or glass walls to create fully glazed, frameless elevations.

Which glazing option?

Double glazing offers improved energy efficiency, cuts down on noise from outside, and is a minimum requirement for new windows. Triple glazing offers improved insulation and noise reduction, but costs about a third more than double glazing. So which should you go for? It’s worth bearing in mind that top-quality double glazing is as energy efficient as triple glazing at the lower end of the market. So, unless you are planning a top-spec, lowenergy home, double glazing will probably be sufficient.

KERB APPEAL If you’re transforming the exterior of your home with a contemporary porch, a double-storey glazed addition will give it wow factor, create more space indoors and bring light flooding into what might once have been a small, dark space. This bespoke glass and aluminium window pane porch design is polyester powder-coated in RAL7039, has self-cleaning glass and top thermal ratings. Prices start at £15,000, Apropos GLAZED WALL If you’re going for wall-to-wall glazing in a bedroom, it’s worth including a small venting window within the design so that you can leave it open safely on warm nights. The configuration of this window includes a large, fixed-frame window, measuring H250x W260cm, and a top-hung venting window above a smaller fixed frame section. The Sieger aluminium frames are from Hedgehog Aluminium and the project cost around £2,500, IQ Glass 106

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

windows.indd 106

16/01/2017 10:41

MAXIMUM IMPACT In a room with a low ceiling, a taller than average window can accentuate the vertical space while making the most of the views outside. The taller the window, the more daylight can be captured, too, making the room feel both bigger and brighter. For a similar window, try the Supreme double-glazed, powder-coated aluminium casement window in RAL 9016, from Vufold, which costs £449 for H105xW63cm. Kitchen, from £8,000, British Standard

ON-TREND FRAMES A slit window can throw light into a dark corner without taking up much wall space, and also provide the hint of a view outside. This fixed Supreme Grey casement window, measuring H210xW63cm, is made from low-maintenance aluminium, coated in a resilient grey powder finish in RAL 7016. It’s doubleglazed and thermally broken for enhanced thermal performance.

It costs from £319 at Vufold

What will new windows cost?

Costs vary greatly, depending on how many windows you are installing; whether they are standard or bespoke; the glazing type; the frame material and design; the window sizes; whether you need to add decorating costs – and even where you live. But as a rough guide, these are the average costs per square metre for a window: softwood, £200; hardwood, £350; metal, £380; composite, £400.

You don’t usually need planning permission to replace or add new windows, although you will need to follow building regulations guidance. Before you begin work, and especially if you live in a listed property or in a Conservation Area, check that your local council is happy with the changes or additions you are proposing – you may find you are limited to a certain window style or even frame material, particularly at the front of the house. Check, too, whether the window needs to be a designated fire escape, in which case you may not be allowed fixed glazing. Find out more by visiting planningportal.gov.uk/permission/ commonprojects/doorswindows. ➤

HIGH-LEVEL LIGHT Planning rules for rear extensions are such that a standard side window overlooking a neighbour’s property may not be allowed. This problem can be overcome with a high-level clerestory windows like these, which bring in light and provide views of the foliage outside.

For a similar look, try two Ultra fixed double glazed windows in Ultra Grey, measuring H63xW210cm, with real oak on the inside and aluminium cladding outside, from £938, Vufold realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

windows.indd 107

PHOTOGRAPH ALEX SARGINSON

Do I need permission for a feature window?

107

16/01/2017 10:41

99-132.indd 108

12/01/2017 16:01

ARCHITECT BACA ARCHITECTS PHOTOGRAPH ALASTAIR LEVER

NEXT MONTH: How to choose between bi-fold and sliding doors

DURABLE FINISH Love the look and feel of wood but want a harder-wearing option? This bespoke gable end was created with Euro Alu windows – a timber-framed window system with external aluminium cladding and double glazing. The frames were factory-finished in RAL7043 to match the others throughout the house, giving a unified finish. The window measures approximately H380xW200cm, Olsen Doors & Windows

WALL-TO-WALL GLASS Whether you are joining two buildings together with a contemporary extension or want to transform your home’s exterior, structural curtain wall glazing will allow you to flood your house with light and create a dramatic feature. This property in Bolton has a curtain wall measuring approximately H500xW300cm, but there are no size limitations. The RAL colour used is 9007, and the Planitherm performance, solar-control glazing is extremely energy efficient. Costs will depend on the dimensions and location

How can I f ind an installer?

A recommendation is always the best option. Failing that, find a company that belongs to a professional association, such as the Certified Installer Network (certifiedinstaller network.org); FENSA (fensa.co.uk); Certass (certass.co.uk); Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (dgcos.org.uk); or Network VEKA (networkveka.co.uk).

Certified installers can self-certify their compliance to building regulations, making the whole process quicker and smoother.

Ordering essentials • Made-to-measure feature windows have variable lead times, so bear this in mind when ordering.

• Always ask whether the window company is expecting to install the windows or if it is down to your builder.

• It’s vital that there’s good communication between your building company or architect and your chosen window company to ensure that the window size is correct for the planned aperture and deliveries happen on time.

• Check what kind of guarantee your manufacturer offers – an insurance-backed one is best in the long term.

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

windows.indd 109

CONTEMPORARY TWIST If you want to nod to period style, choose a feature window with curved glass. This Essex home features a fixed, double-glazed casement window with curved glass that has been toughened to meet building regulations. The curved glass does cause some distortion, but the fact this helps to bounce light around is part of the appeal.

The window, with 11.5cm-deep frame in Pebble, cost about £5,000, Westbury realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

109

16/01/2017 10:41

BEAUTIFUL ‘A RATED’ WINDOWS AND DOORS PERFECT FOR TRADITIONAL AND PERIOD RESTORATION & RENOVATION PROJECTS ‘THE AG210 WINDOWS AND DOORS, THERMALLY BROKEN WITH THEIR SLENDER SECTIONS AND SLIM LINE FRAMING, OFFER THE PERFECT REPLACEMENT FOR OLD STEEL WINDOWS.’ ARCHITECT

• WELDED CORNERS • BESPOKE DESIGN • MULTIPOINT LOCKING • ‘A + 10 RATED’ • HANDMADE BY SKILLED CRAFTSMEN • PART L 2010 COMPLIANT

www.metthermwindows.co.uk info@metthermwindows.co.uk 01730 89 47 45

Renovate or replace your staircase in just

48 hours First Step Designs are the staircase specialists, offering a range of bespoke solutions to achieve that breathtaking staircase you have always dreamed of.

Here at First Step Designs we can transform your existing staircase to a handcrafted timber and glass masterpiece. No structural work and minimal re-decoration required!

Alternatively why not replace your existing staircase or let us design a complete new solution for your home or new build.

Save 5% off

your new designer staircase*

* Applies to these new designer staircases only: Brace (shown), Tenon, Float, Wave (shown), Zag, Band & Reverse.

Limited time only, can be withdrawn at any time. Call the team for details.

99-132.indd 110

• • • • • • • • • • •

Nationwide Service Free design & visualisation service Staircase renovations Replacement & new staircases Quotations without a home visit Full project management 10 year guarantee Typically installed in 48 hours Great prices all year round No salesmen, no hard sell Add value to your home

Call now for a same day quotation

01782 959300 www.firststepdesigns.com

First Step Designs

12/01/2017 16:02

Real Homes OFFER

ENJOY 20% OFF SHARPS BEDROOM FURNITURE SEE PAGE 113 FOR FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Give your bedrooms a stylish, practical update with this exclusive discount

T

his month, Real Homes has teamed up with fitted furniture specialist Sharps to offer you an exclusive 20 per cent off its entire range of bedroom furniture. If you’re looking to transform your bedroom into a relaxing and practical haven, Sharps’ furniture could be the perfect choice. We could all do with a little extra storage, and the company can provide stylish, innovative solutions that will capitalise on any awkward spaces in your bedrooms.

The Shaker range (pictured above) is unapologetically chic, and its clean, uncluttered lines, together with its square edging and nickel handles, perfectly complement the modern heritage trend. The result is a stylish but homely design that offers both simplicity and functionality.

And Shaker wardrobes can provide up to three times the space of a freestanding equivalent, as they are fitted flush against your bedroom walls and right up to the ceiling.

Low-line furniture, such as dressing tables, can also

be included in the design. While a gorgeous window seat or tranquil seating area, created by Sharps’ design professionals, allow for more ‘me’ time, as you can sit back, relax and enjoy the view outside your bedroom as much as the space inside.

Prices for a fully fitted Sharps bedroom start from £2,000, with home offices from £1,500, including design, manufacture, delivery and installation. To view the complete range, request a free copy of the brochure or to arrange a free design consultation, call 0800 917 8178 or visit sharps.co.uk.

HOW TO CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNT To take advantage of your exclusive 20 per cent discount, either call 0800 917 8178 and quote Real Homes, or cut out this page and take it into a Sharps showroom. To find your nearest showroom, visit sharps.co.uk. realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

Sharps Offer.indd 111

111

04/01/2017 09:14

S PA C E TO GROW

Show your space some love. Transform it with our stunning range of aluminium folding, sliding doors, windows, glass rooms and roofing products. You’ll also love our market leading service, which takes care of every detail, from survey to installation and after care.

Create a space for happier living

call 0800 121 4809 go to expressbifolds.co.uk Showrooms in Glasgow, Leeds, Harrogate, Redhill & Romford

BI-FOLDS | SLIDING DOORS | ROOFS | WINDOWS | GLASS ROOMS

99-132.indd 112

MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN

12/01/2017 16:02

Sputnik coffee table in steel and oak, H37x Dia.70cm, £219

Facette chair in steel and oak, H83xW43x D53cm, £229

Elba oak sideboard, H80xW160x D40cm, £699

Real Homes OFFER

SAVE 20% AT Give your home a Scandiinspired makeover for less with this exclusive offer

B

ritish furniture manufacturer Pash Living is offering Real Homes readers an exclusive 20 per cent discount on its entire collection of Scandi-inspired furnishings this month. It means you won’t have to jump on a plane to Copenhagen if you want a slice of Scandi-styling in your home. Instead, you can have your new furniture delivered direct to your door without a single flat pack in sight.

From sofas to sideboards, Pash Living’s range of original furnishings is also inspired by the Mid-century modernism movement made famous by Arne Jacobsen, Charles and Ray Eames, and George Nelson.

The Contemporary collection has something for every room in the home, from sofas in a wide range of colours and finishes, to striking light fixtures and even office furniture.

New for 2017 is the Universo Positivo range, which combines solid oak and lacquered metal to create timeless pieces that are both beautiful and functional.

Take a look at the City sofa collection, which has been

Helsinki two-seater sofa with stainless steel frame and microweave fabric, W170xD68xH75cm, £699

inspired by some of the world’s most iconic locations, like the Manhattan skyline or the Helsinki landscape. And don’t miss the Elba sideboards, which embody Pash Living’s commitment to practical yet beautiful furniture design.

To view the full range, head to pash-living.co.uk and follow @pash_living on Twitter for the latest updates.

HOW TO CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNT To view the entire collection and take advantage of your 20 per cent discount, go to pash-living.co.uk and enter the code RHMAR at the checkout.

The offers featured in the March 2017 issue of Real Homes are: Page 111 Save 20 per cent across all Sharps’ bedroom and home office ranges on orders over £2,000 by taking the offer page to a Sharps showroom or by calling 0800 917 8178 and quoting Real Homes. The discount is valid until 3 March 2017, and can be used over and above the half-price sale offer, which runs throughout this period, but not in conjunction with any other offer. Page 113 Save 20 per cent across all products at pash-living.co.uk. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Valid until 3 March 2017. For full terms and conditions, see realhomes.co.uk/terms-and-conditions. realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

Pash Offer.indd 113

113

10/01/2017 15:11

Real Homes INSPIRATION

Forever

GREEN Bring nature into your home with every shade of green, from apple and asparagus to mint and sage FEATURE JULES BARTON-BRECK

The modern

world can be chaotic, so it’s no surprise that we crave calm and tranquillity in our homes,’ says Johnstone’s Paints colour technician, Natalie Williams. ‘Green is a breath of fresh air; it’s the colour of nature, rejuvenation and growth. It symbolises relaxation, balance and harmony.

Soft greens evoke relaxing moods, while rich greens create a luxurious, atmosphere – especially when paired with a soft golden ochre or a deep purple. An ocean-like muted blueygreen works perfectly paired with a pale seashell or pearl to create a tranquil scheme. And zesty lime green can leave you energised and ready for the day.’

With Greenery named as Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2017, we are set to see a lot more of the hue in our interiors. ‘Greens with an underlying grey, like olive and eucalyptus, are particularly nice for the home,’ says Judy Smith, Crown colour consultant. ‘Greens come from nature so are familiar and cocooning. They’re also enhanced by other natural colours, from stone greys to berry tones, and natural finishes like linen, leather and wood.’ ➤

114

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

DECO GREEN.indd 114

13/01/2017 10:58

TEAM DARK GREENS WITH BLACK TO CREATE A STRIKING EFFECT Walls painted in Palm Green paint mixing flat matt, £24.49 for 2.5ltrs; woodwork painted in Black Stillness paint mixing satinwood, £22.79 for 1ltr, both Dulux. For a similar floor lamp, try the Berlin, £239, from BoConcept. For a similar black rattan chair, try SIT Möbel’s, £129.91, from Wayfair. For a similar tray, try the copper tray, £34, from MiaFleur

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

DECO GREEN.indd 115

115

13/01/2017 10:58

99-132.indd 116

12/01/2017 16:02

BRING GREENS TOGETHER WITH PLANTS AND FOLIAGE Danny three-seater sofa in Green, £2,243; Medley rug in Moss Green, £584; Tweet high/low tables, £181.90 and £271.15, Calligaris

CONTRAST ECLECTIC WALLPAPER WITH WHITE PAINTWORK Green Aesop wallpaper from the Fable Collection LW067/001, £130 per roll, Linwood

CHOOSE A STATEMENT PRINT FOR YOUR DINING ROOM Arcade BP 5307 wallpaper, £97 per roll, Farrow & Ball

CREATE A GRAPHIC STATEMENT WITH JADE Feature wall painted in Jade Jewel, part of the Colour Vibe collection, £17.56 for 2.5ltrs, from Johnstone’s ➤

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

DECO GREEN.indd 117

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

117

16/01/2017 09:28

118

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

DECO GREEN.indd 118

13/01/2017 10:58

CONTRAST A STATEMENT SOFA WITH PALE OAK AND MONOCHROME ACCESSORIES Canvas couch in Army Green, H73xW250x D103cm, £1,475; Tuesday wicker hanging lamp, H60xDia.80cm, £370; for a similar stool, try the Limber block wood stool, H46xW27xD27cm, £140; for a similar pouffe, try the Tiffin rustic leather pouffe, H30xDia.50cm, £165, all Out There Interiors ➤

➤

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

DECO GREEN.indd 119

119

16/01/2017 09:28

To find your local next125 retailer contact: info@inhouseltd.co.uk | 01661 842 304 www.inhouseltd.co.uk

99-132.indd 120

13/01/2017 10:57

NEXT MONTH: The best botanical wallpapers

MIX VIBRANT PRINTS WITH CALMING NEUTRAL SHADES Botany Banana wall mural, £29 per m2, by Lemon for Photowall.

For a similar sofa, try Ikea

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 165

DECO GREEN.indd 121

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

121

13/01/2017 10:58

99-132.indd 122

12/01/2017 16:02

Whether it dominates or appears as a supporting colour, using red in the bathroom immediately creates a bold statement

Real Homes INSPIRATION

PHOTOGRAPH: PIETER ESTERSOHN

How to plan the perfect

BATHROOM

bathroom book.indd 123

Update your existing space or create the perfect new one with expert advice from luxury bathroom designer and Waterworks co-founder, Barbara Sallick ➤

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

123

16/01/2017 09:28

In this bathroom, the tiles have been installed diagonally in a way that accentuates the room’s height and architectural details. Careful planning ensured that all the tiles fell correctly into place, with perfect half tiles at the edges, and that the different shades of green appear random

For the latest tile trends for your bathroom, turn to page 147

124

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

bathroom book.indd 124

04/01/2017 09:15

T

PHOTOGRAPHS: ERICA GEORGE DINES NGOC MINH NGO FRITZ VON DER SCHULENBURG/THE INTERIOR ARCHIVE

he bathroom is, without question, the most challenging room in a home to design. As important as form is functionality. The bathroom is entirely dependent upon the effective delivery and removal of water. There are a limited number of components – usually a sink, a WC, a bathtub, and/or a shower – but each one is attached to the wall, the floor, or both. And if anything doesn’t look right, work properly or feel exactly as it should, the option of tearing it all out and starting over is, so to speak, a pipe dream.

Quality bath fittings and fixtures are quite expensive to purchase and even more costly to install. That, coupled with the permanence of all the bathroom’s elements, demand that you take your time to analyse the options, and make selections for the long term.

So, what exactly is the perfect bathroom? It should be a space with a meticulous balance of practical considerations – such as shower velocity, flattering light, a tub that fits your body, a faucet that is comfortable in your hand – and design dynamics – a blend of materials, colours, textiles and accessories that add scale and visual appeal. That is why the foundation of all successful bathrooms is planning: failure to do so can lead to havoc, not only in the room itself, but in the ones below it. ➤ Above right A display shelf featuring bath accessories and objects, plus a dramatic artwork, domesticate this contemporary bathroom

Right In addition to the lovely rug and gracefully curved vanity, this powder room features framed Wedgwood-style medallions that have the quality of architectural artefacts realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

bathroom book.indd 125

125

04/01/2017 09:15

QUALITY BATHROOMS WITHOUT SPL A SHING OUT

IDEAS & INSPIRATION

99-132.indd 126

12/01/2017 16:02

WHAT MATTERS TO YOU? The first step in going from unchecked fantasy to achievable reality is simply beginning a process of choices – here are some things to consider: n Do you want a combination tub and shower or to separate the two? n Will one or two people be showering at the same time, and how big a space, showerheads and valves are needed? n Do you need a seat in the shower? n Are you planning to have a hand shower? n Where will you place your bath products? n Is one sink sufficient? n Are you planning for storage in the bathroom? n Do you want the WC in its own dedicated space? n Where will you place the sockets to power your razor and electric toothbrush? n How about the laundry basket?

Once you have made these choices, weigh them against the square footage – for example, if you decide on a double vanity, consider whether there will be room for a separate tub and shower – and your budget. This process will enable you to think in concrete terms about what you really want or need, to prioritise your preferences, and to make choices that allow your bathroom to take shape. ➤

PHOTOGRAPHS: ANTOINE BOOTZ, AMY NEUNSINGER, RALPH MOTKOWICZ OF MOTKOWICZ PHOTOGRAPHY

Left This space benefits from the unexpected presence of furniture with this upholstered chair Below The bathroom in this London house features elegant marble-effect tiles on the walls and floor, while the glazed shower screen divides the space without restricting light

Above Combine antique wallpaper, great slabs of figured lapis laid to emulate Willem de Kooning–style brushstrokes, and a simple tub – and the finished effect is astonishing

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

bathroom book.indd 127

127

14/12/2016 09:47

The kitchen is the heart of the home and often the place for a good party. So choose a wine cabinet that’s stylish, versatile and designed for the serious entertainer.

99-132.indd 128

www.caple.co.uk

12/01/2017 16:02

Left Using rich wooden cladding on the walls and vanity adds warmth to what can be a clinicallooking space

PHOTOGRAPHS: EDWARD ADDEO, NGOC MINH NGO, MANOLO LANGIS

KNOW YOUR WATER Water is the single most important consideration in the bathroom’s planning and design. When we move into a new house, water is seldom uppermost in our minds. But given how much time we spend in the bathroom, and our practical and experiential desires, the issue should be front and centre. The challenges one faces in an apartment can be especially tricky. Moving stacks, pipes, and drains is next to impossible. And your ability to control temperature fluctuates over the course of the day as overall usage waxes and wanes.

Houses, of course, offer greater flexibility, and, if you install a pump, you will have near complete control over the water pressure. These considerations are less than glamorous but a comprehensive understanding of your home’s water situation will enable you to make far more nuanced and effective choices. Consult with your contractor, get to know your water, and plan accordingly. ➤

Below This modern, masculine bathroom features tiles in an unconventional vertical installation.

A knee-high wall creates a subtle division between the sink and shower

Below A feature rug and vanity area make this bathroom feel formal yet modern, while curtains help give the unusually large space character

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

bathroom book.indd 129

129

03/01/2017 10:07

For 10 things to consider before adding or renovating a bathroom, see realhomes.co.uk

In this Californian bathroom, the presence of the garden is made more palpable by layering the mirrors and vanity on the glass wall dividing inside and out

PHOTOGRAPH: JAMES RAY SPAHN, WILLIAM ABRANOWICZ, WILLIAM WALDRON, DAN PIASSICK

THE COMFORT FACTOR

130

It is never too early in the design process to consider ergonomics, which is, simply put, the science of comfort.

Comfort remains as important a consideration as any on bathroom design; if the space isn’t comfortable, it’s not going to promote rest, reflection, or restoration. Even a shower valve set at the wrong height or in the wrong place can affect your comfort. Every little detail demands your attention –from the height of the sink or vanity to the position of the WC – and makes a difference.

Also worthy of consideration are the ergonomics of personal preference. I always recommend that people sit in a bath before making a decision about it – not only to be certain that it is capacious enough, but also to ensure that the angle of the back is comfortable, and that the depth won’t leave you over or under-submerged.

Issues of comfort that are specific to oneself are central to the bath experience, so make sure the ergonomics, both general and personal, are as well considered as the way that things look.

LIGHTING AND LOOKING In no room is proper lighting more essential than in the bathroom – the place where you need to see well enough to put on make-up, get a close shave, and inspect the outcome.

And, of course, you must have something to see in, which means accompanying the best lighting package with an equally high-quality mirror. Many designers recommend a MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

bathroom book.indd 130

03/01/2017 10:07

Left The shaded sconces in this bathroom are unashamedly elegant, delicate, and feminine.

The chandelier offers an entertainingly over-the-top contrast

combination of mirror lighting for applying make-up, down lighting for overall illumination, and a decorative pendant. As for the mirror, it needs to be of sufficient quality to stand up to the bathroom’s atmospheric conditions, and the alternation between dryness and moisture, while also enabling you to see yourself accurately and cleanly.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

This is an edited extract from The Perfect Bath, by Barbara Sallick, published by Rizzoli, RRP £35, ISBN 978-08478-4893-5. Visit uk.waterworks. com for more inspiration

It’s essential to become clear about your design preferences, and this must be done before you hire a professional or make any aesthetic decisions. Every detail should look and feel like a deliberate choice, and the more clearly you articulate your personal style and taste, the better equipped you will be to make smart selections for your bathroom. Tear out examples of rooms that you like from magazines, tag pictures in books, and mine the multiple online resources that are available. Once you have assembled your images, take time to edit your portfolio.

Patterns, colours, and similarities will emerge and help paint a picture of your personal aesthetic. In the end, there will be 10 to 12 images that tell your story – they will be useful not only to you, but to the design professionals you work with. A good designer will help translate this information. Remember, once the work is done, it is your house – and you need to own the outcome.

GET PROFESSIONAL HELP

Left This Asian-influenced space reflects the designer’s appreciation of the healing and consoling qualities of wood, and the pleasures of bathing in close proximity to nature

Above Where this double shower ends and the garden begins is hard to establish – which is heightened by the pair of over-scaled doors that connect the two. Setting the shower valves on freestanding legs helps to keep the view clear

When it comes to bathroom design, a talented, experienced architect or designer can ensure the success of your project. Hiring one might seem like an unnecessary or extravagant expense, but a trained professional can often save you money and time by improving your bathroom’s layout.

They will also find ways to maximise the space you have available by creating drawings and plans that will be used to construct the finished space. A design professional will know what will and won’t work in terms of materials, lighting, and construction.

And by supervising your contractor, managing the subcontractors, phone calls and ordering of materials, a designer will make the process more transparent and less frustrating.

If you find the right collaborator, your new bathroom will come to life in unexpectedly satisfying ways. realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

bathroom book.indd 131

131

03/01/2017 10:07

Visit www.Wetrooms-Online.com for all your wet room needs, help and guides from the UK’s wet room experts.

Wet room kits, including tray, drain and tanking from only £195.

Wet Room Kits | Tanking Kits | Shower Screens | Showers | Insulation Board | Wall Panelling | Mobility Showering

WWW.WETROOMS-ONLINE.COM

99-132.indd 132

FREEPHONE: 0800 280 8008

12/01/2017 16:02

NEXT MONTH

WONDER WALLS THE BEST NEW BOTANICAL WALLPAPERS

STEP TO IT

Staircase design ideas

PHOTOGRAPH WARREN HEATH/GAP PHOTOS/BUREAUX STYLING SVEN ALBERDING

BI-FOLD VS SLIDING DOORS

Ask the designer NEW

Find out how you could transform your home

ON SALE 23 FEB

DISCOVER WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU

EXPERT ADVICE

CONVERT YOUR GARAGE FOR LESS Your ultimate guide to garage conversions

BOOOST 2.indd 133

What’s the most costeffective way to revamp my kitchen?

When do I need a certificate of lawful development?

How can I get lower quotes than the ones I’ve been given?

10/01/2017 15:10

Real Homes

QA &

Read on for expert advice on your home transformation dilemmas

MICHAEL HOLMES is the director of content and product development for Real Homes, Period Living and Homebuilding & Renovating magazines, and chairs the National Custom & Self Build Association. He has 25 years’ experience in the home design, renovating and building industry. @HolmesMike

What should I consider before building a side-return extension?

Adding to the side of your property can help you gain valuable extra space, particularly in period homes.

Michael Holmes outlines the benefits of this kind of extension, and what to expect when having one built: WHAT IS A SIDE-RETURN EXTENSION? A side-return extension is a popular way of extending the kitchen at the back of a standard terraced or semi-detached house. The kitchen in most 19th and early-20th-century homes was small and functional, and most homeowners now want a larger family kitchen with dining and living space. This can be created by extending the kitchen to the full width of the rest of the house, filling in what is often referred to as the side-return – the alley space behind the dining room and alongside the kitchen.

It’s often combined with a rear extension across the back of the house, together with remodelling work, to fully open up the old and new spaces.

ARE THERE ANY DOWNSIDES? Filling in the side-return can lead to a reduction in light as you lose the dining room and kitchen windows, which typically look out onto this outdoor area. A successful extension design needs to compensate for this.

Some designs leave a small courtyard 134

instead of filling in the whole space, but a more common solution is rooflights over the side-return, or a partially or fully glazed roof. Leaving the original dining room window opening in place, or turning it into an opening between dining room and kitchen, lets borrowed light flow into the heart of the house.

WHAT STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS ARE INVOLVED? The original side wall of the kitchen is usually removed and replaced with a structural steel joist or ‘lintel’ to support the rooms above. The steel is held up at either end by the remaining parts of the wall, or on columns or posts of steel or concrete that sit on the new concrete foundations.

Where a rear extension has been added as well, the back wall of the kitchen is usually removed to fully open up the space. In the absence of both the side and rear walls of the original kitchen, the rooms above need to be supported on a steel column or post, usually positioned where the two walls once met. If this is considered to be an obstacle to the open-plan layout of the kitchen, the steel joists could be enlarged to span the full width of the new kitchen, supported at either end by steel posts linked into the outer walls in a goalpost shape.

The steel joists that substitute the original load-bearing walls will sit beneath the floor joists of the rooms above. It is possible to conceal them within the ceiling void, though this is an additional cost as it will disrupt all of the rooms above.

On occasion, a side-return extension will necessitate the demolition of some old or unused structures, such as a coal store, ground-floor bathroom, utility, garden shed or garage.

WHAT PLANNING PERMISSIONS ARE REQUIRED? In England, a single-storey side-return extension that widens the kitchen to the full width of the original house will usually be classed as a permitted development (PD), and automatically have planning permission.

Where the kitchen is also extended to the rear as well as the side, planning permission is usually required, unless no part of the extension is more than three metres from the original rear elevation (or four metres in the case of a detached property). In England, these limits are currently doubled to six metres (terrace and semi) and eight metres (detached) until May 30, 2019, subject to you issuing a prior approval notice to your local authority so they

MARCH 2017realhomes.co.uk realhomes.co.uk APRIL 2016

QA Michael holmes.indd 134

16/01/2017 10:57

Right This kitchendiner is now wider and longer, with space for cooking, dining and relaxing.

It has full-width bi-folds to the end

Below There was no wall between the side returns of these Edwardian terraces, so one was built and the bricks left exposed

AFTER

BEFORE

can check the proposals and consult with the owners of neighbouring properties.

If an extension is to qualify as PD, the additions must not cover more than half of the original garden area. Full details can be viewed at planningportal. gov.uk. PD rights for rear extensions do not apply to listed buildings, flats and maisonettes. And PD rights might sometimes have been removed or restricted by the local authority – for instance in a Conservation Area – so it is always worth checking with them that your plans are acceptable.

If you need to make a planning application for your side-return extension, you must have floorplans and elevations drawn up, plus a location plan and site plan, and submit these to your local authority planning department, together with the relevant fee (currently £172 in England). In a Conservation Area, you will need to submit a Design and Access Statement.

WHAT OTHER PERMISSIONS ARE REQUIRED? Before construction work commences, you will need detailed drawings showing the materials to be used and how they are to be assembled, together with details of the structure, and how the proposals comply with current building regulations. The work will need to be inspected at key stages, either by the local authority building control department or by an approved independent inspector. When complete, and if the works are deemed to be in compliance with the regulations, a completion certificate will be issued.

The full plans can be submitted for checking in advance of any work commencing to ensure any issues are resolved early on. Alternatively, the work can usually start under a ‘building notice’ with only basic details of the proposals submitted. Forty-eight hours notice is required before work

commences. Building regulations fees for a typical 50 square metre extension will be around £500 plus VAT, increasing for larger extensions.

Under the Party Wall Act (England and Wales), all neighbours affected by your side-return extension must be informed by issuing a Party Wall Notice, together with details of the proposals.

This gives them several weeks to assess any potential impact on their property before work goes ahead. To avoid conflicts, limit your liability for any damage claims, and to arrange access to undertake work, a Party Wall Agreement will be put in place between you and the owners of the neighbouring properties, and their tenants. Providing they agree to share your surveyor, a Party Wall Agreement will typically cost £700-800 plus VAT for each neighbour affected. Neighbours have the right to appoint their own independent surveyor, and you have a duty to pay.

WHO SHOULD UNDERTAKE THE DESIGN WORK? For a side-return extension, you will need a set of planning drawings that cover the layout and elevations, and a set of construction drawings and details showing how it is to be built.

There will also be drawings and calculations demonstrating structurally how the building works – particularly the foundations, roof and any large openings. It is a good idea to appoint an architect or architectural designer.

You could find one by looking at previous applications for similar properties locally, on your local authority website, through the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), or the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).

It often makes sense to get the same architectural designer to quote for the construction drawings, too. This is ➤ realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

QA Michael holmes.indd 135

135

16/01/2017 10:58

10 DESIGN IDEAS GLASS ROOF: Maximise opportunities to bring in light with a glazed roof over the side-return extension. If your budget is limited, use a bank of standard rooflights.

MAXIMUM GLAZING: Make the most of the rear elevation overlooking the garden with full-width and fullheight glazed doors.

STYLISH DOORS: Bi-fold doors remain hugely popular for sidereturn extensions, but frameless sliding doors are another option, as are traditional French doors and sidelights. For a contemporary urban country look, opt for Belgianstyle steel doors.

AFTER

BEFORE

a set of scale drawings of the floorplans, elevations and principal cross-sections of the house together with all levels.

Fees for designing a side-return extension will vary, but expect to pay somewhere from £2,500-5,000 plus VAT for the planning drawings, and the same again for the construction drawings. A measured survey will cost from £600-£800 plus VAT for a smaller terraced house, and £1,000-£1,400 plus VAT for a larger semi. A structural engineer is likely to charge from £1,400£3,500 plus VAT for the details and calculations.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I BUDGET FOR THE WORK? Extension construction costs vary across the country, largely reflecting the difference in labour charges. Costs for building in remote or inaccessible places can be high due to the price of delivery for materials.

Another big factor is the quality of fixtures and fittings. The cost of floor and wall finishes, kitchens, bathrooms and lighting can vary enormously. Design, scale and complexity also affect the final figure. Larger projects can achieve economies of scale over smaller ones.

136

Left This Victorian terraced home had three separate rooms downstairs and a dark, cramped kitchen with intrusive chimney breast

Above Extensions to the side and rear were added, and walls to reception rooms knocked through to create one long, light space

VARIED CEILING HEIGHTS: Remodelled and extended spaces often have varying ceiling heights.

Use these to help zone different areas. Sloping sites can incorporate different floor levels, which can be used to create informal subdivisions.

A good starting point for an extension is to budget from £1,500 per square metre plus VAT. For a more accurate starting point use the extensions cost calculator on realhomes. co.uk And always allow a sum for design and allocate a contingency.

CLERESTORY WINDOWS: Opportunities to have side-facing windows without overlooking a neighbour or a boundary wall are rare, but one way to bring in light from the side is with a high clerestory window.

WHO SHOULD DO THE BUILDING WORK? Most people will use a main contractor to build a side-return extension. It is important to use a firm experienced in structural alterations.

Find a builder via recommendation from someone you know and trust or via The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) at findabuilder.co.uk. Your designer should also know several reputable builders, and you could put the project out to formal tender to receive competitive quotes. It’s a good idea to obtain them from at least three builders.

If you find all the quotes are too high, consider scaling back the project, or breaking it down into phases.

Alternatively, consider whether you are in a position to manage the project yourself, using individual trades. This can reduce the cost by 10-15 per cent.

You’ll need to be available to be on site regularly and have a good understanding of construction, and good management skills.

Another way to reduce costs is to do some of the work yourself. But be prepared for the project to take much longer, and never take on more than you have the skill and time to complete.

For more information on side returns, go to realhomes.co.uk

ROOF TERRACE: A flat roof over a side-return extension can be utilised as a roof terrace, providing it doesn’t overlook neighbouring properties. This can incorporate a walk-on rooflight to still allow light into the side-return.

OPEN-PLAN LAYOUT: An open-plan scheme makes the most of borrowed light and maximizes the sense of space after extending into the side.

SPATIAL DESIGN: Create a relationship between home and garden by ensuring thresholds at external doorways are level, and use common materials and design details inside and out. Using brick or stone internally can be very effective.

SEAMLESS FLOW: Avoid breaking up an open-plan room with multiple finishes and styles. Use variations of the same flooring, wall and ceiling colours and finishes throughout MAXIMISE THE SPACE: If you want a separate cloakroom and utility, or a walk-in larder, locate these by the doorway into the kitchen. Beyond this the room can open up to the full width of the house, leaving the back wall free for glazing.

APRIL 2016 MARCH 2017realhomes.co.uk realhomes.co.uk

QA Michael holmes.indd 136

16/01/2017 10:58

137-155.indd 137

12/01/2017 16:03

137-155.indd 138

12/01/2017 16:03

JASON ORME

is a self-build and renovation expert and the editorial director of Real Homes.

With more than 17 years’ experience in the industry, including 12 years as editor of Homebuilding & Renovating, he is also the author of The Self Build Dream, has advised thousands of homeowners on their projects, and is currently extending and remodelling his own 1960s home. @JasonPOrme

Real Homes

QA &

How do I tender for the right builder for my home renovation?

If you are hiring tradespeople for a major job, you want to know they can do it on time and within budget, says Jason

PHOTOGRAPH ISTOCK

PUTTING YOUR PROJECT OUT TO TENDER The process of engaging with builders and getting prices in for your building project is called tendering. Doing it well is critical in ensuring three key things: that it’s delivered on time, on budget, and that you get what you want out of it. Putting your project out to tender requires ensuring a clear, formal communication between you and potential builders. It also involves analysing their responses to make sure that nothing is left to chance. Follow this step-by-step guide to the process as it should work: 1. CHOOSE WHO TO TENDER TO Tendering is a pretty involved process for both homeowner and builder, so you want to minimise wasting time talking to builders that you don’t really want to work with.

Initially, make a longlist of around a dozen builders, sourcing them through recommendations from neighbours, architects and friends; through the lists produced by trade associations and online builder-sourcing websites; and by checking out boards outside similar projects you come across being done locally. Contact them all and tell them broadly about your project. Send them the plans and a rough outline of the works, and ask to meet them at your house. Some of the builders on the list won’t respond. Others, you will get a sense of not wanting to work with them. Narrow it down to five to six builders, all of whom should have expressed both an interest and a clear understanding of the scope of the works, and be builders you wouldn’t mind talking to on a daily basis for a period of what could be months.

2. CLARIFY THE PROJECT The next step is to produce a tender pack. That’s usually a letter outlining FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

EXPERT JASON.indd 139

the project and your invitation to price, along with building plans, a specification list and a scope of works.

This involves putting information on to the scheme with the objective of the builder being able to give you an accurate quote. The only way they can do this is with detail; both in terms of the plans themselves, the specification of the materials (and who is responsible for providing them), and the scope of the work you want to get them to do.

You need to be clear on how much involvement you want to have – whether you want to decorate it yourself; if you want to choose your own kitchen; will you be managing the project yourself once it’s watertight?

Whatever your approach, put down in writing what the project involves. If you don’t have detailed plans, get them.

And – it sounds obvious but you’d be surprised how often this happens – ensure when you send the tender pack that everyone gets the same information.

3. CHASE THE BUILDERS Quoting on potential projects is hard work for builders and they don’t get paid for it. It’s usually fitted in on evenings and weekends or outsourced to estimating companies. Realistically, you should expect to get prices back within three to five weeks. If they haven’t responded by then, a friendly phone call might hurry things along.

Either way, it’s in your interest to get as much of a response as possible – although it’s inevitable some builders who initially expressed interest in your scheme will drop out as they’re too busy.

two other factors will need assessing.

Firstly, what level of certainty does the price involve? You can usually judge this by seeing how many Provisional Cost (PC) sum lines are in the quote. PC sums are used to ‘bracket’ a sum because the builder doesn’t have all the information – for example on your final choice of kitchen. But if there are many PC sums in the quote, that means there are many unknowns and, as a result, more areas for the budget to bulge.

It might also be that the builder hasn’t outlined any of the detail at all and responds with a simple all-in price.

That’s understandable on the basis that the builder doesn’t want to bore you with the working out – indeed, some of the best builders I know respond with a simple total figure – but if you want to ensure clarity and detail, try and pin them down to more precise figures.

Secondly, you’ll also need to assess on the most intangible element of the process. How much do you trust them?

Can you communicate? Are they telling you what to do, or giving expert advice that recognises your position as a customer? All of these elements will play into the final decision, and you may find that the lowest price isn’t always the one you go for.

4. ASSESS THE RESPONSES The first thing you’ll look at is the price, but it’s not the only factor that should affect your decision. On the basis that you should already have weeded out the builders who might struggle to achieve the quality you’re after, then realhomes.co.uk FEBRUARY 2017

139

12/01/2017 12:10

Real Homes ADVERTORIAL

ELEGANT LOOK Left and below The Sash Window Workshop offers high-quality new and replacement timber windows for homes in the south of the UK

INVEST IN QUALITY WINDOWS Discover how to find the right window company for your home transformation project

C

hoosing high-quality windows can make all the difference to your home, letting in light and keeping out the cold. When you’re looking to replace your windows, it’s important to ensure that both the manufacturing and installation are of the highest standard.

Before selecting a window company, always check that they can manufacture frames in the style you’re looking for. And if your exisiting frames are still in good condition, ask if they can just replace the moving parts of the window, which will help to reduce disruption and save you money.

140 MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL Sash_window.indd 140

One of the best ways to ensure that your windows will be of the best quality is to request a visit to the factory where they are made.

This allows you to see first-hand the manufacturing process, and ask any questions that you have. It’s also important to check the quality of the materials used. If you’re installing timber windows, check what kind of timber the windows will be made from and how durable it is.

It’s also worth asking whether the installers work for the company that makes the windows. If so, the process is likely to be smoother, as one firm will monitor quality and

customer satisfaction from start to finish. Reviews from previous customers are important, as are the guarantees on offer. If the company is confident that its windows are of premium quality, it is likely to include a longer guarantee.

The Sash Window Workshop specialises in the repair and replacement of timber windows in London and the south. All the replacement windows are manufactured at its workshop in Berkshire, and come with a 20-year workmanship guarantee.

The company also provides an installation service, ensuring a consistently high standard of work.

Plus there’s a 50-year guarantee against rot if your windows are manufactured in Accoya wood.

To find out more, visit sashwindow.com, or, for a free quotation, call 01344 868 668.

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

13/01/2017 14:12

SIAN ASTLEY is a self-builder, interior

Real Homes

designer, landlord and blogger at Moregeous.com.

With 20 years’ experience working in property, she’s passionate about DIY, crafts and renovating. She also regularly takes on clients’ projects to transform their homes into beautiful living spaces.

QA &

Moregeous.com / @Moregeous / facebook.com/ MoregeousDesignStudio

What do I need to consider before replacing my windows?

Investing in new windows? Take into account everything from aesthetics to practicality to get a look you’ll love, says Sian

PHOTOGRAPH ISTOCK

It took me eight years of agonising over style, material, ironmongery and colours before I finally had my bay windows replaced. Why did it take me so long? Because windows are hugely important to a property’s look.

Get them right and you enhance the look and value of your home. Get them wrong and it’s quite the opposite.

MATERIALS I chose timber replacements for our Edwardian home, feeling that wooden frames are far better suited to period properties, but also because the double-height hardwood frames are structurally solid and designed to last another 100 years.

Hardwood is slower grown and longer lasting than softwood, which should only be used on smaller windows. However, choosing timber frames can be more costly due to higher material and installation fees, having to paint them, and the need for regular maintenance.

You could choose composite or timber windows that are vinyl clad, so need less maintenance. There are some stunning colours and styles available.

Hugely popular are uPVC. These are not as expensive as timber, but it can be a case of ‘you get what you pay for’ in terms of design and quality.

Cheaper plastic can turn yellow and warp, so always use a reputable company. I’ve seen houses with goodquality dark grey uPVC windows, which looked quite impressive.

Increasingly popular are steel or aluminium metal windows, which are cost-effective and rather cool looking, especially when RAL colour-matched to bi-folds and exterior finishes. They can be a good fit in a contemporary home.

is listed or in a Conservation Area. New glazing needs to comply with current regulations for thermal performance, fire escapes, obscured glass and safety.

You should notify Building Control if self- or builder-fitting your windows, but this isn’t necessary if you are using a FENSA-registered fitter.

INSULATION Triple glazing can be very desirable on particularly busy roads or north-facing elevations. However, if you chose it, you should be prepared for the price of your project to soar. A competent DIY-er can paint and double glaze their own timber window frames, although this takes time and skill. Some companies supply the panes already fitted in painted timber frames, but this comes at a cost.

Low emissivity glass ticks the building reguations boxes and will keep heat in your home, and maybe choose solarcontrol glass on south-facing windows.

STYLE In terms of style, casement windows are perfect for traditional homes, tilt and turn are more modern and versatile,

For 10 statement window designs, see page 105

but sash windows are easily the most popular style in the UK. Sliding sashes are expensive. Fortunately, top-openers can be made to look like sliders while being more affordable.

ON TREND Charcoal-grey aluminium frames ● Large-format glazed areas ● Unusual slender ‘view’ windows in unexpected places ●

TIPS FOR TOP WINDOWS in your room and work out how best you’ll open the window before ordering. ● Always use aluminium primer on new hardwood frames. ● Match the colour of your window frames to soffits, eaves and even gutters for a harmonious exterior design. ● Stand

BEAUTIFUL BAY Below These sash windows show off the curve of the room and frame the view

REGULATIONS Planning permission for replacement windows isn’t needed unless a property realhomes.co.uk FEBRUARY 2017

EXPERT SA.indd 141

141

13/01/2017 14:42

• • • • • •

•

Primed, or primed and painted units can now be provided

enquiries@pineland.co.uk

INSPIRATIONAL DOORS.

Undeniable value.

Doors that add a touch of style to your interior...

Innovative, contemporary & classic door designs

Order or download your copy of JB Kind’s Door Collection brochure today. Visit www.jbkind.com T: 01283 554197

137-155.indd 142

www.jbkind.com

12/01/2017 16:03

KATE BEAVIS

is a writer, speaker and blogger, with a special interest in retro and vintage home designs. The author of Style Your Modern Vintage Home, she’s appeared on ITV1’s Lorraine and won Channel 4’s The French Collection. She lives in Bedfordshire in a 1920s detached house. katebeavis.com / @yourvintagelife / facebook.com/katebeavisvintage

What should I look out for when sourcing Mid-Century pieces?

Real Homes

QA &

WHERE TO BUY

■ Antique & vintage fairs You’ll find great pieces at large antique fairs, such as Newark, Peterborough and Kempton Park, which tend to be sold from house clearances, meaning they will be cheaper but have often not been restored. The Vintage Home Show, The Furniture Flea and MidCentury Modern all hold regular events in London, Leeds, Bristol and Manchester, with traders selling items to suit all budgets, as well as co-ordinating homewares.

■ Online There are many businesses selling furniture online, including Mid-century furniture is mainly thought SET A BUDGET auction sites such as Ebay to cover three decades during the Mid-century can be BUYING TIPS and second-hand sites middle of the 20th century; from the fun separated into two such as Gumtree. But yet sometimes kitsch 1950s, through to categories: designer Measure the fit before you’ll be relying heavily the space-age 1960s, and into the dark and brands. The key purchasing as day beds and on the photos and teak, quite masculine look of the 1970s. designers of the 20th sideboards can be large. descriptions, so try and These styles have grown in popularity century, such as Check the condition, unless get as many pictures over the last 10 years, resulting in prices Eames, Arne Jacobsen you plan to restore, looking and as much information rocketing and many high street stores and George Nelson, out for badly glued repairs, as possible. Check out designing their own modern versions. fetch a high price as water damage, loose the seller’s refund policy, However, there are still bargains out they’re much rarer. But handles and signs and ask if you can see the there if you know what to look for, and be careful, as there are of woodworm item before committing to buy. have the patience and tenacity to hold a lot of copies out there.

■ Retail shops out for that perfect piece to come along.

Expect to pay about £4,000 for There are some fabulous Mida genuine Eames lounge chair and DO YOUR RESEARCH ottoman. More affordable are the brands century shops across the UK Some sellers think all Mid-century families invested in at the time. G Plan, but prices will be higher because furniture is worth the same and bump Ercol and Macintosh designed matching the items have already been up the price tag, so it is worth doing furniture sold through high street shops sourced, collected and restored, research on designers, brands and in the 1960s. It was bought by the plus shops will factor in the price their retail value before you buy. I hear masses so there’s more of it about today, of rent, utility bills and staffing etc. the phrase ‘that’s vintage, that resulting in better prices. Expect ■ Charity shops and is’ to justify high prices, often to pay £250 for a G Plan car boot sales RESTORING on brands that aren’t that sideboard and £950 Charity shops will hold a miscellany Hide scratches on real desirable, or on a piece for an Ercol studio couch. of objects, so try and do some teak by applying a dab of that is in bad condition. research into the sort of pieces scratch cover with a soft However, if you do your you are looking for before heading duster. Medium wood finish research first by asking out. At boot sales, get there early is best for classic teak but questions from sellers, for first pick of the best items. patch test underneath first. watching how much It’s always worth bartering for a On stubborn marks, gently items sell for on sites like bargain, and taking a look in the sand then apply teak Ebay, and reading books van at furniture stalls for things set oil sparingly and blogs on the subject, aside to be put on sale later. you should quickly get an idea ■ Auctions and house of the value of the more popular clearance shops designs. When buying, features Arrive before the sale to check that show the craftsmanship the condition of items and of the piece mean the item is make sure they’re genuine. of better quality. Real wood is Don’t get carried away when worth more than veneer and bidding, and remember that is easier to restore. Look for a commission rate must attributes like dove-tailed joints be paid on top of your bid. on drawers, piano (continuous) hinges, and Scandinavian design.

If you want classic, authentic furniture to complement your scheme, follow Kate’s advice on what – and where – to buy

realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

QA Kate Beavis.indd 143

143

13/01/2017 13:52

We are CANAL Architectural www.canal.eu.com

FINANCE OPTIONS AVAILABLE

+44 (0)115 986 6321 | canal@canalengineering.co.uk STAIRCASES ~ BALUSTRADES ~ HANDRAILS BALCONIES ~ CANOPIES ~ BESPOKE METALWORK

137-155.indd 144

12/01/2017 16:03

JANE POWELL is an award-winning designer at Roundhouse, with 13 years’ experience in the kitchen industry. She has a degree in Interior and Environmental Design, and was Homes & Gardens Kitchen Designer of the Year in 2012. Jane cites bar and restaurant design as an influence, particularly the mixing of materials for a rich yet raw and edgy feel. roundhousedesign.com

Real Homes

QA &

What are the benefits of working with a kitchen designer?

If you’re planning a major kitchen renovation, Jane explains how calling on some professional help could help you realise your vision BENEFITS OF HIRING A KITCHEN DESIGNER CREATIVE VISION If you are adding a kitchen extension, it’s best to engage with a kitchen designer once you have a finalised drawing from your architect, and once any necessary planning permission has been granted – leaving them free to utilise their skills. However, some people prefer to involve a kitchen designer before they submit final plans to the council, as they might be able to see other ways to use the space.

TIME SAVING If you allow yourself plenty of time with your kitchen designer at the early concept stages, such as the initial consultation and first design presentation, you will have more time to discuss what you want, and a greater chance of your designer being able to realise your vision. This will help cut down on lots of time-consuming revisions at later stages that could pull your focus away from other aspects of the project.

SPATIAL AWARENESS Good spatial awareness is key when planning what will more than likely be a well-used, high-traffic area of your home. A kitchen designer will know the right position to place certain cabinets and appliances in relation to how you want to use the kitchen. The best solution is to try and zone the kitchen so that a number of people can work in the same room but not be in one another’s way.

TECHNICAL ABILITY It would be a tall order to expect you to know every single appliance model available on the market, and which ones would be the most suitable for your needs.

Instead, a kitchen designer will ask FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

QA_JP.indd 145

questions about how and what you tend to cook, and the number of people you are catering for. Perhaps you want a particularly large hob with extra rings?

Or maybe you need a smaller one with just one or two? A designer can offer suggestions to help with your choices.

PROBLEM SOLVING Kitchens are made up of so many component parts it is almost inevitable some problems may occur. An experienced kitchen designer will often foresee when certain things might not work as well together, and be able to prevent such errors at the design stage.

Designers will also have the most up-to-date knowledge of the latest products and trends. They hear about them though suppliers, trade magazines and visits to design fairs, meaning they learn about the latest innovations and appliances before the general public do.

DRAWBACKS OF BEING YOUR OWN DESIGNER TIME-CONSUMING If you decide to take on the whole process of designing and project-managing your kitchen makeover, this can take up a lot of your time, especially if you do not have all the resources a designer does at your disposal – such as access to specialist suppliers, materials and a thorough understanding of the latest technology.

NO PRICE ADVANTAGES Most good kitchen companies (with designers) will have main accounts with the quality brand-named producers. This inevitably means that they will have a price advantage over most retail outlets and online sites. They can also offer exclusive products that will only be available to purchase through them.

Above Urbo matt lacquer kitchen in Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe, with stainless steel worktops and Glacier White Corian. Bespoke kitchens start from £35,000, Roundhouse

RISK OF MAKING COSTLY MISTAKES Without a designer’s expertise, you could leave yourself open to making errors, which in turn may mean the end result is not as you had hoped.

Worse still, you may need to spend more money to correct an issue.

And if you are selling your home, it may put off potential buyers.

LESS QUALITY CONTROL It is not always possible to know if you are buying from a reliable supplier, which means you can run the risk of being let down once you have handed over your money. If you work with a kitchen designer, they can take full responsibility for your project and take away any stress that can occur during the ordering process. realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

145

12/01/2017 12:11

Add space . . . Add value . . . Use your loft ✔ 10 year guarantee. ✔ Free no obligation estimate. ✔ Nationwide company with local services. ✔ Free government endorsed insurance.

For a FREE no obligation brochure or home visit, telephone: 0800 269765 or email: sales@econoloft.co.uk P L E A S E

V I S I T

Q U O T E

O U R

R E F E R E N C E :

N E W

R H 0 3 / 1 7

W E B S I T E :

w w w. e c o n o l o f t . c o. u k 137-155.indd 146

THE LOFT CONVERSION AUTHORITY

12/01/2017 16:03

MARTINA LANDHED is passionate about bathroom design. With about 10 years’ experience of designing large and small suites for showrooms and residential and commercial clients, she set up her own studio, InStil Design, in 2012. Having won an award for successful bathroom design with value for money in mind, she now designs bathrooms for homeowners, property developers and hotels. instil-design.co.uk

Real Homes

QA &

What tile trends are going to be big for bathrooms in 2017?

From large-format options to patterned designs, Martina reveals what the latest looks for tiles are, plus how to use them in your home There’s no need to limit yourself to traditional square shapes when it comes to tiling your bathrooms.

Mix things up with the diversity of tiles out there available in different shapes, sizes, colours, patterns and textures.

My favourites are large-format tiles, followed by shaped and disguised tiles.

On up-coming projects, I’ll be combing large marble-effect and wood-effect plank and shaped tiles to create some exciting new looks. Here are the key trends we’ll see more of in 2017: PATTERNED TILES As bathrooms are full of straight lines and hard surfaces, patterned tiles can help bring some softness and personality to the space. You can use them over the whole floor but they also look very effective when used in smaller doses, creating a ‘rug’ effect in the centre of the floor, or on a feature wall.

A big trend right now is for encaustic tiles. First made in Europe in the late 19th century, today they are found in countless chic bars, restaurants and designer homes.

And there are also Moroccan pattern and vintage décor porcelain tiles currently on the market. These are easy to combine with plain matching porcelain or ceramic tiles, and they provide a pretty and practical choice for bathroom walls and floors due to their durability and easy maintenance.

SHAPED TILES AND CREATIVE LAYOUTS Quirky shaped tiles, such as hexagons, diamonds and rhombus shapes, are set to be very popular.

Shaped tiles can be used effectively in small amounts on both floors and walls, while mosaics look good in niches illuminated with LED light strips, or as splashbacks.

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

QA ML.indd 147

A trend that I believe is a result of finding ways to achieve unique looks on smaller budgets, is to arrange standard-shaped, inexpensive tiles in new ways. Try putting rectangular metro tiles vertically up a wall instead of horizontally, or in straight lines instead of a brick pattern. Lay smaller rectangular tiles in a herringbone pattern, and in different colours, for a fantastic effect.

LARGE-FORMAT TILES Oversized tiles – think W30xL30cm or bigger – suit contemporary as well as traditional spaces, depending on the colour, texture and pattern of tile used. These are usually rectified porcelain tiles, which means they have been mechanically processed so they are perfectly square. Their straight edges also allow narrow grout lines.

Marble and marble-effect largeformat tiles are set to be a big surface trend this year. Classic and luxurious, they can give your bathroom a spa-like feel. Add to the opulence by pairing the marble with fixtures and fittings in finishes like bronze and antique gold.

DISGUISED TILES These are tiles that look like something they are not, such as wood. Woodeffect tiles are especially popular at the moment and there’s a growing trend of using them on walls.

If you love the look of concrete, the good news is there will be more textured concrete tiles on the market.

Aerated surfaces and staggered, multilevel shapes will help give concrete-effect tiling an upgrade by adding depth and character.

Textured disguised tiles are ideal for feature walls, or in larger niches running from wall-to-wall, while smooth disguised tiles are effective on both walls and floors.

Martina used patterned encaustic tiles to make a feature on this wall

Above A similar colour palette unites a mix of plain and patterned porcelain tiles in this bathroom

by InStil Design realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

147

13/01/2017 14:51

WHITE MIST FLOORING

Over 100 designs | Expert advice | 20,000m2 of stock | Fast delivery

SHOWROOM

20 Smugglers Way Wandsworth London SW18 1EG 020 8871 9771

www.naturalwoodfloor.co.uk

137-155.indd 148

12/01/2017 16:03

HUGO TUGMAN is the founder of Architect Your Home and Interior Your Home, and the managing director of Tugman Architecture & Design. Having run his practice with wife Jude since 1992, he has built up a wealth of knowledge in home design. A regular contributor to national newspapers, and the author of Architect Your Home, he is also a speaker at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show. architectyourhome.com / @hugotugman

Real Homes

QA &

How can I prevent my planning application from being refused?

Being denied planning permission could derail your renovation project, so follow Hugo’s advice to maximise the chances of approval The biggest frustration that I see in homeowners hoping to undertake a building project is in getting their planning application passed. People generally imagine the planning system will allow them to propose, discuss and find out what they will be allowed to do to their homes. However, in local authority areas where the high number of applications puts departments under great pressure, it can turn out to be an opaque process that is hard to engage with. If you’ve ever received a refusal, you may have experienced this and, even more frustratingly, found the reasons given weren’t especially clear.

Here’s how to improve the chances of getting any application approved:

PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK

UNDERSTAND THE PLANNING PROCESS It’s the job of the planning officers to apply the local planning policy, which the authority uses to decide where and when development takes place.

When your application arrives, their task is to work out which elements of this policy apply and if the proposals satisfy all of these. If, based on the designs in front of them, the officers cannot tick a particular policy box, the application will probably be refused.

The subjective element comes into the interpretation of policy.

For example, we proposed a two-storey front extension to a modest 1960s house to make its frontage more in keeping with its grander neighbours.

The application was refused as policy dictated any front extension must be ‘subordinate’ in scale and style to the original house. However, an application to knock the house down and build another that would look the same as the original with the extension, was deemed acceptable. The extension was outside policy and the rebuild inside.

KNOW THE POLICY It is important that, wherever possible, you understand the specific applicable elements of policy. Trawling through planning policy documentation – which is generally available online – can be a very daunting and difficult task but is worth trying to get to grips with.

GET SOME ADVICE You can seek pre-application advice by going to the planning office and asking.

Many offices allow people 15 minutes of free consultation with a duty planning officer. Or you can pay for advice by submitting a sketch design to the planning department, along with some general information and paying a fee of probably a few hundred pounds.

The advantage of a paid-for pre-app is they’ll identify for you what they consider to be the applicable elements of policy.

CALL IN A CONSULTANT Planning consultants can advise you, work with your architect and put together the application for you.

Most are ex-planning officers, so they understand the system and can prepare documentation that will maximise your chances of gaining approval.

TIPS TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF GETTING REFUSED: ■ Try to make sure any extension design isn’t ‘overlooking’ your neighbours, or can be considered an ‘overbearing development’.

■ Engage a planning consultant to advise, work with your architect and make the application.

■ Examine recent applications that have been passed and refused in your road or local area. You will be able to see the arguments made for scheme’s similar to yours, and the planning officer’s report.

■ Submit as much information as you can. For example, if you think the planners are going to want a tree report or a traffic study, spend time and money getting these done before making an application, rather than just hoping they won’t be required.

When it comes to getting your application passed, know local policy and listen to expert advice

realhomes.co.uk FEBRUARY 2017

EXPERT HT.indd 149

163

12/01/2017 12:11

137-155.indd 150

12/01/2017 16:03

GREG TOON

Real Homes

is the founder of architectural design business Potential etc… He specialises in providing affordable concept designs to help homeowners and buyers visualise the potential of their properties, and writes a regular column for The Sunday Times Home supplement on designing solutions for readers’ problem houses.

QA &

potentialetc.com / @potentialetc / pinterest.com/toonlog

Should I match or contrast my extension to the rest of my home?

Follow Greg’s advice when it comes to deciding whether to go for a seamless blend or sharp definition between old and new exteriors If the extension is on the same plane as an original wall, it is best to avoid trying to match the finishes.

If you are determined to do so, set the extension wall back to create shadow between the two planes and help disguise non-perfect matches.

The different finishes on the two extensions to this house highlight what is new and what is original

ILLUSTRATION GREG TOON

FINISHES AND OVERALL DESIGN When it comes to selecting a finish for your new extension, your choice should go hand in hand with your decisions about the overall design. The exterior you choose will be influenced by the scale, shape, and positioning of the extension, as well as its physical relationship with the house it is joined to, including the style and finish of the original property.

In some situations, these factors will point towards selecting a contrasting finish, while in others, harmonising the outside might be best.

MATCHING FINISHES In the case of a modest extension to an old building, it is always worth trying to match the finish. The relatively small size will help limit your spend on expensive materials, like reclaimed bricks or dressed stone, and it will appear more in keeping with the original house.

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

EXPERT GREG TOON.indd 151

If you are building under permitted development rights, meaning you are not applying for full planning permission, there are clauses that specify the finishes should be of ‘similar appearance’ to existing finishes.

Matching finishes should also be considered first on period buildings where the extension is visible from the street. However, this can be expensive – costs can include paying for reclaimed materials, sourcing a specific type of stone or one in a bespoke size, and bringing in a specialist contractor used to working on older properties.

Keep in mind that manufacturers often discontinue and update their ranges, so it is sometimes hard to find the exact same product. Even if you do, the existing house will have weathered through exposure to the elements, and it will be very tricky to attain a perfect match. It is possible to sandblast old brickwork so that it blends in better, but this won’t guarantee an exact match.

CONTRASTING FINISHES Using a different finish on the extension and original house avoids the problem of trying to get an accurate match between old and new materials.

With period buildings, it can be especially useful to distinguish between the old and the new parts. Both English Heritage and planning/conservation departments often support contrasting and modern materials for extensions on heritage buildings for this reason.

Contrasting finishes also work well with larger and modern extensions.

For instance, if you are considering a sizeable, flat-rooofed addition with big window/door openings, think about contrasting the finish to that of the original house just to break up the uniformity of the exterior.

Always let common sense inform your decisions; such as avoiding white render in gloomy, north-facing locations. And consider using darker materials, like burnt timber, black weatherboarding, grey bricks or pigmented zinc if you want to reduce the dominance of the extension.

Costs for contemporary materials vary dramatically, but you should be able to contrast a finish for less than you would matching it as the products you’ll be using will probably be easier to source, take less work to install, and do not have to be artificially weathered.

Finally, for a very striking aesthetic, think about using the contrasting finish all over the extension, including the walls and roof. Timber shingles, hung tiles or standing seam zinc, aluminium, copper or lead all work well. realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

151

12/01/2017 14:13

137-155.indd 152

12/01/2017 16:03

69

Stockists

39

Find your nearest supplier for the fixtures and furniture in this issue 1909 kitchens 01325 505539 www.1909kitchens.co.uk 4 Living 0800 75 65 199 www.4living.co.uk

A

A Splash of Colour

0161 9207406 www.asplashofcolour.com Abode 01226 28 34 34 www.abodedesigns.co.uk Alan Heighton 07708 584287 www.alanheighton.co.uk Alex Findlater 020 8896 3913 www.alexfindlater.com Alicia De Costa 07707 127877 www.aliciaclaudinadecosta.com Andshine www.andshine.co.uk Anya Fennet www.anyafennet.com Apropos 0800 328 0033 www.aproposconservatories.co.uk Artfinder www.artfinder.com Astro Lighting 01279 427001 www.astrolighting.com Atkin & Thyme 020 3768 7775 www.atkinandthyme.co.uk

Content by Terence Conran

020 8150 8380 www.contentbyterenceconran.com Cooke & Lewis 0333 014 3098 www.diy.com Coopers: 0208 876 1246 www.coopersappliances.com Core Sash Windows

020 3302 2060 www.coresashwindows.co.uk CRL Stone 0800 0421 6144 www.ceralsio.co.uk Crown 0330 024 0281 www.crownpaints.co.uk Crown Imperial http www.crown-imperial.co.uk Cuckooland

01305 231231 www.cuckooland.com Culmax 020 8896 0700 www.culmax.co.uk Cult Furniture 020 8185 6950 www.cultfurniture.com Curtains.com 020 3848 0800 www.curtains.com

Atlantic Shopping

0121 230 1644 www.atlanticshopping.co.uk

D

Danetti 020 3588 1380

www.danetti.com

Dar Lighting

B

B&Q 0845 609 6688

www.diy.com Barista & Co www.baristaandco.com Barker & Stonehouse

0370 218 8973 www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathandshower.com

www.bathandshower.com Bathstore 0330 0535661

www.bathstore.com Benjamin Moore 01753 575756 www.benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk Berry Red 0845 450 3937 www.berryred.co.uk Bisazza www.bisazza.com Black Edition 01623 756699 www.romoblack.com Blanco 01923 635200 www.blanco.co.uk BoConcept +45 7013 1366 www.boconcept.com Britannia 0344 463 9705 www.britannialiving.co.uk British Standard

020 7870 7688 www.britishstandardcupboards. co.uk

www.falconappliances.com Farrow & Ball 01202 876141 www.farrow-ball.com Fired Earth 0845 366 0400 www.firedearth.com Flair Rugs 01457 850650 www.flairrugs.com Focus +33 4 67 55 01 93 www.focus-fireplaces.com Folk At Home

www.folkathome.com Franke 0161 436 6280 www.franke.com Fraumier www.fraumaier.com Fritz Fryer 01989 567416 www.fritzfryer.co.uk

G

German Flooring Direct

John Lewis

0345 604 9049 www.johnlewis.com Johnstone’s 01924 354354 www.johnstonespaint.com

K

01225 418 200 www.grahamandgreen.co.uk Gumtree www.gumtree.com

0208 341 9222 www.jordanandrews.com Kahrs 02392 453045

www.kahrs.co.uk

Kartell www.kartell.com Kenwood 0239 239 2333

www.kenwoodworld.com

H

H&M

0344 736 9000 www.hm.com Habitat 0344 499 4686 www.habitat.co.uk

Encuastic Tiles Ltd

01892 546851 www.hingesandbrackets.co.uk

0800 121 4809 www.expressbifolds.co.uk

J

01603 408804 www.idsystems.co.uk IKEA 08453 583363 www.ikea.com iLiv 01772 651199 www.i-liv.co.uk InStil Design 01865 368810 www.instil-design.co.uk IQ Furniture 01494 722 880 www.iqfurniture.co.uk IQ Glass 01923 218348 www.iqglass.uk.com

Graham & Green

Hinges & Brackets

Express Bifolding Doors

ID Systems

Jordan Andrews

01590 678767

01428 643 393 www.clementwindows.co.uk

I

020 8977 1143 www.germanflooring.co.uk Go Modern 020 7731 9540 www.gomodern.co.uk

Elliotts Living Spaces

www.eamesoffice.com Earthborn Paint 01928 734171 www.earthbornpaints.co.uk Ebay www.ebay.co.uk Eclect Design 020 8299 0261 www.eclectdesign.com

Clement Windows

Cavaliero Finn

Falcon

01420 550 525 www.hampshirefurniture.co.uk Harvey Jones 0800 389 7365 www.harveyjones.com Havwoods 01524 737000 www.havwoods.co.uk Heal’s 0333 212 1915 www.heals.com

E

www.cavalierofinn.com

www.capietra.com Calligaris www.calligaris.co.uk

F

Hampshire Furniture Eames

020 3514 8570 www.encaustictiles.net English Salvage 01568 616205 www.englishsalvage.co.uk Etsy www.etsy.com/uk

C

Ca’Pietra 0844 915 0002

www.darlighting.co.uk Dassie Artisan 01290 211 147 www.dassie.co.uk DeLonghi 023 9239 25555 www.delonghi.com Designers Guild 0207 351 5775 www.designersguild Devol 01509 261000 www.devolkitchens.co.uk Direct Blinds 0330 0377447 www.directblinds.co.uk Domus: 020 7819 2300 www.domustiles.co.uk Dos Architects 0207 253 8222 www.dosarchitects.com Dulux www.dulux.co.uk Dwell 0345 145 1441 www.dwell.co.uk

46

Kirkwood McCarthy Architects

020 7249 8361 www.kirkwoodmccarthy.com Kitchen Craft 0121 604 6000 www.kitchencraft.co.uk KitchenAid 00800 381 04026 www.kitchenaid.co.uk Kloeber 01487 740044 www.kloeber.co.uk

L

Laura Ashley

www.lauraashley.com

Linwood 01425 461176

www.linwoodfabric.com Little Greene 0845 880 5855 www.littlegreene.com

Holloways of Ludlow

Living by Christiane Lemieux at House of Fraser 0345 602 1073

020 7602 5757 www.hollowaysofludlow.com Homebase 0345 077 8888 www.homebase.co.uk House of Fraser 0845 6021073 www.houseoffraser.co.uk

www.houseoffraser.co.uk Loaf 0845 468 0698 www.loaf.com Lombok 020 7736 5171 www.lombok.co.uk Love Inc 01892 319887 ➤ realhomes.co.uk MARCH 2017

stockist .indd 153

153

13/01/2017 13:53

74

Quooker 0345 8 333 555

The Sofa Workshop

www.quooker.co.uk

www.sofaworkshop.com 0808 115 4269 Tile Devil 0845 8051 666 www.tiledevil.co.uk Tile Giant 01782 597777 www.tilegiant.co.uk Tile Mountain 01782 223822 www.tilemountain.co.uk Topps Tiles 0800 783 6262 www.toppstiles.co.uk

R

Rapture & Wright

01608 652442 www.raptureandwright.co.uk Rational +49 5226 580 www.rational.de/en Roccia 0800 061 4791 www.roccia.com Rockett St George

26

01444 253391 www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk Ross & Brown 0345 600 3315 www.rossandbrownhome.co.uk Roundhouse 020 7297 6220 www.roundhousedesign.com Rowen and Wren 01276 451 077 www.rowenandwren.co.uk Royal Academy of Arts

0800 634 6341 www.shop.royalacademy.org.uk Rume 01273 777 810 www.rume.co.uk

S

M

Made 0344 257 1888

www.made.com Magnet www.magnet.co.uk Mandarin Stone 01600 715 444 www.mandarinstone.com Mark Alexander 01623 756 699 www.markalexander.com Marks & Spencer

0333 014 8000 www.marksandspencer.com Marlborough Tiles

01672 515287 www.marlboroughtiles.com Masterclass Kitchens

01443 449449 www.masterclasskitchens.co.uk Met Therm 01730 894 745 www.metthermwindows.co.uk Metwin 0208 523 2081 www.metwin.co.uk MiaFleur 0116 2986393 www.miafleur.com Miele 0330 160 6600 www.miele.co.uk Mink Interiors 01892 547 049 www.minkinteriors.com Moon & Sons 01943 873181 www.moons.co.uk My Furniture 0845 309 6356 www.my-furniture.com My Furniture 0845 309 6356 www.my-furniture.com Mylands Paints

020 8670 916 www.mylands.co.uk

www.nutmegandsage.co.uk

O

OB Architecture,

01962 865 344, www.obarchitecture.co.uk Oka 0844 815 7380 www.oka.com Old Mill Antiques 0161 6847440 www.oldmillantiquesltd failsworth.co.uk Oliva Bonas 00 8974 0110 www.oliverbonas.com Olsen 0844 826 7766 www.olsenuk.com Original BTC 020 7351 2130 www.originalbtc.com Original Style 01392 473 004 www.originalstyle.com Orla Kiely 020 7720 1117 www.orlakiely.com Out There Interiors

www.outthereinteriors.com Ovo Home 01244 329643 www.ovohome.com Oxo www.oxouk.com

P

Pash Living

01509 76 73 74 www.pash-living.co.uk Perch & Parrow

020 8629 1166 www.perchandparrow.com Petersham nurseries

01328 838854 www.nakedkitchens.com

020 8940 5230 www.petershamnurseries.com Photowall 020 33183660 www.photowall.co.uk Pierre Frey 020 796 91802 www.pierrefrey.com Plain Useful 01484 680073 www.plainuseful.com Plumen 020 7650 7882 www.plumen.com

Natural Wood Designs

Portobello Road Market

0207 835 1349 www.naturalwooddesigns.co.uk Neff 0344 892 8989 www.neff.co.uk

www.portobelloroad.co.uk

Mylands,

020 8670 9161 www.mylands.co.uk

N

Naked Flooring

0117 370 2762 www.nakedflooring.co.uk Naked Kitchens

154

Nkuku www.nkuku.com Nutmeg & Sage 07777 692146

Q

Salvatori 07856 578 067 www.salvatori.it Scandi Living 01428 608050 www.scandiliving.com Sharps 0800 917 8178 www.sharps.co.uk Shimu 0800 088 6800 www.shimu.co.uk Skinflint 01326 314 528 www.skinflintdesign.co.uk Smallbone of Devizes

020 7589 5998 www.smallbone.co.uk Soak & Sleep 01483 437762 www.soakandsleep.com sofa.com 0345 400 2222 www.sofa.com Stereo 01892 750003 www.stereointeriors.co.uk Studio by Silentnight

01282 850000 www.silentnight.co.uk/studio Sunbury Antiques Market

01932 230946 www.sunburyantiques.com Susan Deliss 07768 805 850 www.susandeliss.com Swoon Editions 020 3137 2464 www.swooneditions.com

T

The Baked Tile Company

02920 358 409 www.bakedtiles.co.uk The British Blanket Company

0845 4741747 www.thebritish blanketcompany.com The Cloth Shop

0208 968 6001 www.theclothshop.net

Touched Interiors

0845 463 0083 www.touchedinteriors.co.uk

U

Utility Design

0151 708 4192 www.utilitydesign.co.uk

V

Valspar 0844 736 9174 www.valsparpaint.co.uk Vanderhund 0207 313 5400 www.vanderhurd.com Vaughan Designs

020 7349 4600 www.vaughandesigns.com Velfac 01536 313 552 www.velfac.co.uk Velux 01592 778225 www.velux.co.uk Veronica Congdon

www.veronicacongdon design.co.uk Victorian Plumbing

0345 862 2878 www.victorianplumbing.co.uk Villeroy & Boch

www.villeroy-boch.co.uk Vincent and Barn

0118 328 7088 www.vincentandbarn.co.uk Vispring 01752 366311 www.vispring.com Vufold 0333 254 5436 www.vufold.co.uk Walls and Floors W 01536 314 730

www.wallsandfloors.co.uk Warren Evans

020 7693 8988 www.warrenevans.com Wayfair 0800 169 0423 www.wayfair.co.uk Weber 01525 722 100 www.netweber.co.uk West Elm 0800 404 9780 www.westelm.co.uk Westbury 01245 326510 www.westburyjoinery.com Westex 01274 861334 www.westexcarpets.co.uk Witcher Crawford Architects

The Contemporary Home

01962 813344 www.witchercrawford.co.uk

02392 469400 www.tch.net

Wood and Beyond

The Drifting Bear Company

0800 690 6864 www.woodandbeyond.com

01626 879909 www.thedriftingbear.com The Nautical Company

01256 351 283 www.thenauticalcompany.com The Old Cinema

Woodwork Kitchens

01892 533273, www.woodworkkitchens.co.uk

X

XL Joinery

Z

Zara Home

020 8995 4166 theoldcinema.co.uk The Rug Seller 0161 876 4566 www.therugseller.co.uk

01924 350 500 www.xljoinery.co.uk

Quick-Step

The Silver Sheep

www.quick-step.co.uk

01892 458387

0800 030 4238 www.zara.com

MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

stockist .indd 154

13/01/2017 13:53

CREATIVE THINKING FOR INSPIRED LIVING

BI-FOLDING DOORS

|

WINTERGARDENS

|

GLASS CANOPIES

|

SLIDING SYSTEMS

|

GLASS ROOMS

To bring the outside in, you have to think inside out.

At Solarlux it’s what we’ve been doing for over 30 years. Working to deliver truly bespoke solutions which match your exacting requirements precisely. It’s our relentless dedication to excellence that brings you precision German engineering and world-class technology in the design and manufacture of the wintergarden and bi-folding doors that offer unparalleled performance. Quality standards that are incomparable, and the peace of mind of being Secured by Design. Brighter thinking, for lighter living.

Nothing is impossible when there are endless possibilities. Discover more, at

solarlux.co.uk

137-155.indd 155

12/01/2017 16:04

MARKETPLACE If you’re looking to buy fittings, fixtures, furniture and appliances for your home transformation, you will find a great selection on the next five pages FEATURED ADVERTISER

*NATIONAL READERSHIP SURVEY JANUARY–DECEMBER 2014

Bathroom furniture from only £89.99

156

Do you want to reach an audience of more than 145,000* dedicated home improvers? Then book a classified advert with Rebecca Vincze on 01527 834415 or email rebecca.vincze@centaurmedia.com MARCH 2017 realhomes.co.uk

CLASS OPENER.indd 156

10/01/2017 15:33

137-155.indd 157

12/01/2017 16:04

SPONSORED BY

BATHROOMS

BLINDS

BLINDS I CURTAINS I SHUTTERS I CARPETS

demista

up to

Simple to install • Internationally Approved 10 Year Warranty

TM

A division of Aztec (Europe) Ltd

Telford Road Glenrothes Fife KY7 4NX

TEL: +44 (0)1932 866600 • FAX: +44 (0)1932 866688 www.demista.co.uk • E. sales@demista.co.uk

50% off

TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR LOCAL ADVISOR CALL 0800 587 6480 OR VISIT HILLARYS.CO.UK *T’s

BATHROOMS

*

& C’s apply.

OAK BUILDINGS

What makes an Albion bath unique?

Our exclusive bath material creates a difference you can feel.

With over 50 models available, we’ll have a size for bathrooms big or small.

Request your brochure on: 01255 831605 or go to: www.albionbathco.com

the ALBION bath co Handmade bathrooms directly from our factory

RH_0317_class_pages.indd 158

13/01/2017 11:28

SPONSORED BY

RH_0317_class_pages.indd 159

13/01/2017 13:30

SPONSORED BY

ROOFLIGHTS

BEDS

HOLIDAYS

BATHROOMS

WOOD PROTECTION

JAPANESE DEEP SOAKING STYLE BATHS

If space is an issue this will solve your problems

Tel: 01934 751200 info@omnitub.co.uk

www.omnitub.co.uk RH_0317_class_pages.indd 160

13/01/2017 11:28

SPONSORED BY

SINKS

BEDS

This Butler 900 is a large, deep, heavyweight Victorian style sink which can take large pots, pans and racks which are too large for the dishwasher.

This ‘made in England’ ireclay ceramic sink from Shaws has a round overlow and central 31/2”” waste outlet. This beautiful statement’ sink is available in White and Biscuit inishes and can be completed with a basket strainer waste complete with ceramic indice with the Shaws logo, to ‘inish off the look’. The sink has a long lasting durable glaze which will last forever.

REQUEST A FREE BROCHURE

HANDCRAFTED TO DELIVER A LIFETIME OF COMFORT & STYLE 01777 869 669 revivalbeds.co.uk

TOWEL RAILS

www.shawsofdarwen.com DOORS Completely on-trend for 2017 JB Kind Doors new Laminate internal door range has been inspired by the most popular looring colours and kitchen inishes. With a gorgeous grey inish as well as plush ivory, the textured timber grained effect offers an exciting complement to popular interior design styles.

www.jbkind.com STAIRCASES

RH_0317_class_pages.indd 161

13/01/2017 11:28

Sabina Miller Heal’s head of home on setting trends, feeling inspired and transforming her property Describe a typical day for you?

Every day is different! I might go to trading meetings and catch up with my team to discuss upcoming projects. And our office is in the same building as our flagship store in London’s Tottenham Court Road, so I enjoy going down to chat with customers. In the evenings, I like to get back home in time for dinner with my husband, Sean, and two children, Luna and Mauro.

that my real passion was being involved with products and choosing what customers see in store. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some great brands and remarkable people, such as the retail guru Will Hobhouse. I spent 10 years working as a homeware buyer before moving on to a number of roles, including product developer at Jamie Oliver. Joining Heal’s felt like coming full circle and I get to work within a sector I adore.

What do you love about your role?

I started my career in retail more than 20 years ago and soon discovered

What’s keeping you busy right now?

We are about to sign off our 2017 Christmas collections. The product development process is fairly long, so you’re always working at least a year in advance. For spring/summer 2017, we’ve collaborated with a number of

Left I’ve just finished reading a great series of books

by Elena Ferrante Right London is a great source of inspiration and an amazing place to live

Left I’ve done my fair share of travelling throughout my career, even getting my bags lost on a flight to Bangkok

Above I was able to visit a great ceramic studio in the heart of Cape Town, in South Africa Left I’ve been enjoying the Scandi drama, The Bridge

UK-based designers and makers, including Birmingham lighting company Bert Frank, and 1882 Ltd., which produces contemporary ceramics in Stoke-on-Trent. We’ve also worked on an exclusive sofa design, The Wallis, which is beautifully made and incredibly comfortable.

Some of the key trends at the moment are brass, materialism, and bringing the outdoors inside.

Tell us about your own home?

I live in a Victorian house in Kingston upon Thames. We’ve changed the layout to transform a small galley kitchen into a large, airy space, which is a nod to the Italian-style kitchen I grew up with. Our home has an eclectic style, mixing vintage and contemporary designs. I like to invest in quality pieces and design classics that you’ll never get tired of.

Where do you find inspiration?

Ideas can come from many places, particularly when travelling. I’ve had my fair share of travel adventures over the last 20 years, from having my luggage lost on a flight to Bangkok to visiting a ceramic studio in the heart of Cape Town. London is also an amazing place to be.

How do you like to relax?

I love going for walks in Richmond Park with my husband. It’s a great way to unwind without the distraction of technology. I’ve also just finished reading Elena Ferrante’s books and I’m enjoying Scandi drama The Bridge.

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK AND AMAZON

FACE TO FACE WITH

FOR STOCKIST INFORMATION SEE PAGE 153

FACE 2 FACE Mar.indd 162

03/01/2017 12:19

Covers.indd 163

12/01/2017 15:57

Covers.indd 164

12/01/2017 15:57