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December 2020 £4.40

GRAND DESIGNS

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Inspiring living spaces 40+ pages of beautiful houses with ideas for your renovation or build WORKING BETTER How to create a stylish and efficient home office

KEVIN MCCLOUD TV EXCLUSIVE Behind the scenes of the new series

10 HOME CONVERSIONS Pub, stable, school, workshop and more

ALL WASHED UP Latest eco and hi-tech kitchen sinks and taps

DINNER DATE Buyer’s guide to dining tables

EVERYDAY LUXURY Top tips for creating the perfect shower

Add British Character to a Handleless Design Get the look for less

Find your nearest Platinum Partner retailer Scotland Broughty Ferry Dunfermline Edinburgh North Fraserburgh Galashiels Glenrothes Kirkcaldy Perth West Lothian

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North Blackburn Brighouse

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London Clapham Perivale Richmond

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Abingdon Alton Arundel Barnstaple Basingstoke Bideford Bourne Bourne End Brighton West Bristol Camberley Chelmsford Dorchester Dorking

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Contents

December 2020

Regulars 11 EDITOR’S LETTER 15 KEVIN McCLOUD

Our editor-at-large on how adversity can bring out the best in self-builders – and TV shows 130 MY GRAND IDEA An accessible, adaptable home by architects David Tigg and Rachel Coll

130 News 13 ARCHITECTURE UPDATE

New and inspiring projects 105 KITCHEN UPGRADE The latest

designs, surfaces and appliances 119 BATHROOM EDIT Stylish new

additions for the smallest room

119

13 MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 5

CONTENTS

Homes 18 LONDON RENOVATION

One family took a gamble by combining two flats to create their characterful home 30 DETACHED VILLA An overlooked plot in East Sussex proved an unlikely space for this ultra-modern property 41 SCOTTISH SELF-BUILD

Scrapping the plans and starting from scratch led to this ingenious house on an elevated site 50 SINGLE-STORY HOME This rural retreat looks out over 37 acres of unspoilt countryside just outside Stockholm

18 Projects 65 RENOVATION DIARY Small details

make a big difference as the family settles into their unfinished house 69 GRAND GUIDE Ten exceptional home-conversion projects 85 HOME OFFICES Inspiration and ideas on how to create, shape and optimise your workspace

50

95 BUYER’S GUIDE TO DINING TABLES What to look for in

the perfect design 111 PROJECT KITCHENS A round-up

of the latest sinks and taps 120 PROJECT BATHROOMS How

to create the ultimate shower and basin design

120

69 6 DECEMBER 2020 /

119 MAGAZINE.COM

EDITORIAL

GO ONLINE Find more from Kevin McCloud and our exclusive TV house tours, plus inspiring self-builds, real-life extensions, conversions and home-improvement projects.

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EDITOR K AREN STYLIANIDES ART DIRECTOR TONY PETERS CHIEF SUB-EDITOR MATT GL ASBY ACTING ASSOCIATE EDITOR JO MESSENGER IMAGE RESEARCHER KERRY GARWOOD DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR HUGH METCALF DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER BECCA GREEN EDITOR-AT-LARGE KEVIN McCLOUD

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MANAGING DIRECTOR RICHARD MOREY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER LEE NEWTON All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Text and picture material is sent at the owner’s risk. All prices and information correct at time of going to press. Grand Designs magazine is published by Media 10 in association with Channel 4 and Boundless. Grand Designs is a registered trademark of FremantleMedia. Based on the television programme Grand Designs, produced by Boundless (part of FremantleMedia UK) for Channel 4.

Licensed by FremantleMedia Enterprises (fremantlemedia.com). © 2020. ISSN 1742-0695

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Y

ou may be wondering what’s happening with the Grand Designs TV series, as it has been so many months since a new episode was on our screens. Well, the good news is that it will return in the new year. In a few weeks, there will be more details to share about the amazing projects to look forward to, but in the meantime Kevin McCloud takes us behind the scenes to reveal how filming has continued with tight Covid-19 measures in place.

Turn to page 15 to read all about it.

If new joint research by the National Custom and Self Build Association (nacsba.org.uk) and the Building Societies Association (bsa.org.uk) is anything to go by, more people than ever want to build

their own homes. Their survey revealed a third of Brits are interested in doing so.

If this is you, and you haven’t already signed up, it’s worth submitting your details to The Right to Build Register.

Since 2016, all local authorities in England must keep a record of those who are interested in buying serviced plots of land in the council’s area. They have a legal obligation to grant planning permission for sufficient sites to meet demand. It’s an opportunity for you to indicate your intentions and to support more sites for self-build. Nacsba’s Self Build Portal website includes a search function where you can quickly find your authority’s register along with links to the sign-up page. For more information, visit selfbuildportal.org.uk.

COVER PHOT PHOTO MORTEN HOLTUM

K AREN ST YLIANIDES , EDITOR

PHOTOGRAPHY NICHOLAS WORLEY

@StylianidesK

ArkleBoyce founder James Arkle and his wife Gail converted a former school near York into their family home. (arkleboyce.co.uk) See page 69 for more

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 11

As award winning architects and designers we aspire to create extraordinary buildings and spaces for our clients, sometimes from the most difficult of design briefs. Central to our philosophy is that good design should reflect the needs of our clients and respond to the surrounding environment.

Pushing the boundaries of design we are able to achieve timeless, highly innovative and sustainable projects. We offer a complete design service from initial advice through to the completion of your project.

We complete works all over the UK and internationally with construction budgets from ÂŁ250,000.

Please take a look around our website and email us or call with your new project enquiry for a free consultation.

Tye Architects t: 01525 406677 e: nicolas@tyearchitects.com w: www.tyearchitects.com

new builds

extensions

conversions

NEWS

Architecture update Original projects to inspire your own self-build or renovation

Global vision

Shaping up

WORDS CAROLINE RODRIGUES PHOTOGRAPHY MARCO ANTUNES, RADU PALICICA, FIONN MCCANN

Geometry rules at Casa Trevo, or Trefoil House. Located south of Lisbon, Portugal, this two-storey, three-bedroom home has been built from cast-in-place concrete with the intention of maximising outdoor space within a minimal footprint. Arranged as a grid of hexagonal rooms interlocking with three circular patios, it is topped by a lap pool. The patios, which sit within hollow, semi-open columns, act as extensions of the interior spaces as well as lightwells, with large openings for the living spaces on the ground floor and the bedrooms on the floor above. The project by Double (O) Studio cost £685,000. (doubleostudio.com)

For serious house-envy, pick up Philip Jodidio’s Casa Tropical: Houses by Jacobsen Arquitetura (£45, Thames & Hudson). Celebrating the Brazilian architecture firm created by Paulo and Bernardo Jacobsen, it encapsulates their vision of clean-lined, natureinspired homes. Alongside plans and photographs of completed houses are renders of projects still in progress. (thamesandhudson.com)

Capital ideas Love your new extension or home improvement project? Tell your architect to enter the Don’t Move, Improve! awards. Organised by New London Architecture, the competition highlights creative layouts, fine craftsmanship and cost-effective solutions across the city. Soffit House (above) by Proctor & Shaw (proctorandshaw.com) was this year’s overall winner. The deadline for entries is 24 November. (nla.london)

Turn up the volume Like many Victorian properties, this villa-style terraced house in Portobello, Dublin, had stairs leading down a half-storey to the back kitchen and garden. Declan Scullion of Scullion Architects rethought the space, excavating the front living room to match the garden level. Now a 5m-high kitchen, lit by the original bay window, opens onto a living space and dining area, with a bathroom and sunken courtyard behind and a bedroom in the rear extension. The first-floor bedroom has an internal hatch door with views across the full length of the property. The project cost £360,000. (scullion.ie)

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 13

Beautiful natural light for your beautiful new home

Architects: Proctor & Shaw / Photographer: Ben Blossom

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EXCLUSIVE COLUMN

Kevin

McCloud This month our editor-at-large sends you a lockdown letter from on location filming the new TV series

I

t is hard to predict anything with accuracy these days, but at the time of writing – in mid-October – we have just finished the first of a new series of Grand Designs which is due to be aired in the new year. Yep, it is definitely going to happen.

Recording the voiceover for that first programme seemed almost nostalgic because the 2019 season feels like so long ago. Of course, in experiential terms it is a long time. It’s around now that we’d normally be tidying up the 2020 series, and yet so much of the stream of life has coursed through our fingers in the past year. A lot has happened, we have lost loved ones, suffered loneliness and hardship, and lockdowns continue to be a big part of our lives.

This is true of the self-builders we filmed. Some have continued to self-isolate for health reasons; others have used lockdown as an excuse to focus entirely on their project. A few schemes, typically the larger ones, have slowed down because they tend to be complex and require exotic materials and numerous sub-contractors. What’s true in the new Covid-19 economy is also

Filming is even slower than building, which is why they go together so well

true of these projects – wherever things were heading before the pandemic, they’re still going there but faster. So our building projects are going slower, faster.

This truism is particularly apt for filming, the motto for which has always been, ‘Hurry up and wait.’ If you want to experience a truly slow world, try making a documentary where a whole day’s work becomes condensed into three minutes’ worth of television. That’s if nothing goes wrong. Filming is even slower than building, which is why they go together so well. The downside is that as building slowed in lockdown so did our work, until it seized up like a rusty, old hand-cranked camera. In May 2020, my production company sent me a camera in the post and I then set about filming interviews with our self-

builders from home via FaceZoom. But as the pace of their projects slowed, there was, eventually, nothing more to say and the camera finally died.

So it was a blessed relief to begin visiting our projects again in the summer. In a normal year I repeatedly zig-zag across the British Isles by taxi, train, bicycle and more train, spending slightly more time travelling every day than I do on location. But for the past four months I have been living in a one-man off-grid camper van and

A computer-aided design (CAD) of Greg and Georgie’s lockdown build from the forthcoming TV series

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 15

EXCLUSIVE COLUMN

Many of you assumed that the north Devon lighthouse must be the last Grand Design ever broadcast spending twice as much time travelling as I do filming. I have consumed the entire podcast output of Radio 4 on the motorway and learned more than ever to live life in the slow lane. Literally.

Our crews and directors are all in the same boat. Or rather, socially distanced individual coracles. We now stand 2-3m apart for interviews and off-screen conversations alike. We also have remote rest stations (with a dedicated chair for each team member, spaced at four corners of a gazebo tent), hand-washing facilities and a dedicated Covid-19 compliance officer. The days are longer and harder now, but at least, after 20 years or so,

I finally have my own chair and my own mini-Winnebago. Sort of.

So what of the new series made under these conditions? Well, like the projects we film, Grand Designs seems a tauter, more finely detailed thing when it’s produced under duress. Take the episode in which Greg and Georgie, our young heroes, both have health issues, with Georgie receiving complex medical treatment. Surprisingly, their project actually accelerated during lockdown because they had accumulated their materials on site and were able to form a bubble with a builder friend.

Their story, of remarkable hope and determination, of staring death in the

face while embracing life and, not least, of the mature perspective that comes from that, was an inspiration to us all.

As a television crew, our individual Covid-19 anxieties about getting an Ocado slot or running out of loo roll seemed foolish in comparison with what this couple were going through.

Theirs is a project that reaffirms my belief in humanity and in what matters: love, faith, care and the dedication to making things better and worthwhile.

It’s a fitting show for the new series, and I hope that the channel can broadcast it first. I write this because the last new episode to hit your screens in 2019 was a project on an unparalleled scale of size and ambition: the north Devon lighthouse built by Edward (and for some of the time his wife Hazel). It overreached so much that many of you got in touch assuming that it must be the last Grand Design ever broadcast.

I pray that’s not the case. This was a cautionary tale, a warning bell in the fog, about the dangers of excess. I hope, if there ever is a final episode, that it will celebrate – in architecture – the more modest ambitions of people like Greg and Georgie.

These two projects seem to represent opposite ends of the scale of human drive. Dotted along that scale sits a motley arrangement of human qualities: desire, grit, self-sacrifice, ambition, humility resilience, hubris, wobbliness, doggedness, joy, love, greed, generosity, envy, frailty and hope.

Judging by Edward’s continuing seaside saga, Greg and Georgie’s example to us all, and everything else that’s yet to come in the next series, I’d say all these human foibles are in rude health.

ARE YOU PLANNING A ?

TV’s Grand Designs is looking for exciting projects to feature on the programme.

Does your build fit the bill? To apply, please visit granddesigns.tv/apply

16 DECEMBER 2020 /

MAGAZINE.COM

This two-bedroom house was converted from a derelict south London dairy

PHOTOGRAPHY MALGOSIA CZARNIECKA LONSDALE, ANDREW WALL

Edward and Hazel’s ambitious lighthouse build failed to reach completion

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IN BRIEF –

LOCATION West London TYPE OF PROPERTY Victorian semi-detached BEDROOMS 4 PROJECT STARTED January 2018 PROJECT COMPLETED February 2019 SIZE 264sqm BUILD COST £780,000

HOMES LONDON

A playful outlook One young family has taken an imaginative approach to reuniting a house that had been split into two flats WORDS EMILY BROOKS PHOTOGR APHY AGNESE SANVITO

Looking out from the kitchen to the garden, this Robin Day reclining chair is a handy place to perch LEFT Built with bricks from the site and a reclamation yard, the extension replaced a conservatory

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 19

O

ften the key to success with a major project comes down to finding an architect with whom you have a rapport. When Helen Arvanitakis, 42, and Tom Steel, 44, took on a challenging build they already had an architect in mind – Henri Bredenkamp of Studio 30 Architects had worked with the couple to extend and renovate their previous house.

Helen and Tom’s move to a new property was prompted by the need to find a bigger home. With their third child on the way, the couple had started to think about how their family life might work when the children got a bit older and needed more space. The house they found, semidetached and with a big garden, had been converted into two maisonettes. ‘I think lots of people weren’t looking at it because they couldn’t face the complexity of the work involved,’ says Helen. But as Tom is a structural engineer and Helen is a consultant in the design industry, they felt they had the ability to pull it off.

Henri’s brief was to replace a conservatory with a kitchen-diner extension and renovate the rest of the house while turning the divided property back into a single home. ‘We wanted to preserve the original features that remained, such as the huge and ornate ceiling rose, beautiful cornicing, white marble fireplace and the timber floor in the living room,’ says Helen.

By using reclaimed brick and mimicking the pattern of window openings of the house next door, the new extension is in keeping with its conservation area setting.

Nevertheless, big sections of glazing and an oversized

20 DECEMBER 2020 /

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RIGHT The kitchendiner ceiling is clad with acoustic boards to soften any noise. A vintage woodworking bench has been turned into a distinctive island BELOW A fixed glazing panel with a deep, timber-lined reveal looks out on a spacious garden, which is one of the things that first attracted the couple

HOMES LONDON

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 21

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HOMES LONDON timber door give it a contemporary look and make the kitchen-diner light and bright. Eldest son Alexander, nine, has a bedroom above that includes a generous picture window overlooking the garden, while Theo, five, and Phoebe, four, share a spacious bedroom along the landing.

To turn the two maisonettes into one, an enclosed staircase was removed, as was the front door to the flat at the top of the stairs. Redundant partitions were taken down, and everything was replumbed and rewired. A small basement under the hallway was excavated and extended to create a space with generous ceiling height.

LEFT When part of the living room ceiling fell down, the builders created new cornicing by taking a mould from a surviving section.

The chair is a Tom Dixon ex-showroom piece given to Helen as a leaving gift BELOW The study retains original features such as the fireplace, which has a faux-stone painted finish

‘We wanted to preserve the original features that remained, such as the huge, ornate ceiling rose’ Helen and Tom were able to look around their neighbours’ houses – at least, those that hadn’t been divided up into flats – to get a sense of how the original layout and detailing might have looked, but they did make some changes. The staircase is more central in the floor plan, which had a knock-on effect on the stairs up to the attic, allowing space for a shower room in the top-floor bedroom.

Tom took more of a lead overseeing the early stages of the build, while Helen was involved in the fixtures and finishes. They lived in their old house while the work progressed and used the same contractor they’d worked

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 23

with before. Helen wanted the house to be easy to clean, so contract-standard tiles cover the floor in the hallway, the kitchen floor is terrazzo, which doesn’t show the dirt, and there’s a coat cupboard as you walk in, to prevent muddy shoes from causing too much mess.

The couple have been mindful of how their family needs might change in the future, ensuring that the layout can be adapted over time. ‘Phoebe and Theo’s room has been designed so that it can be cut in half,’ says Helen.

‘We’ve put an extra window in, and split the lighting, so when they’re ready to no longer be with each other, we can put a wall up.’ The basement playroom includes cabling so that it can be turned into a cinema room.

The family bathroom is pink and green, with the line that divides the two colours extending from the tiling to the matching paintwork, while the downstairs cloakroom has walls in three colours, a blue basin and a green loo. ‘We were keen to be more playful in some of the rooms we had taken more seriously in our previous house, so we had fun designing the bathrooms,’ says Helen.

Antiques and vintage furniture, such as the carpenter’s workbench repurposed to create a kitchen island, and pieces handed down from parents and grandparents, add an extra layer of character to the house. They are entirely fitting for a home whose architecture celebrates the relationship between new and old.

ABOVE Hardwearing, hexagon-shaped porcelain tiles run the length of the hallway and complement the pink walls 24 DECEMBER 2020 /

MAGAZINE.COM

The first-floor landing leads to Alexander’s bedroom at the rear of the house. A new rooflight brings daylight into the hallway below RIGHT Instead of windows, the architect designed a floor-toceiling glazed panel with a separate timber door that can be opened for ventilation

HOMES LONDON

F L O O R PL A N S DINING AREA

BEDROOM BATHROOM

WC LIVING ROOM STUDY KITCHEN

GROUND FLOOR

MAIN BEDROOM

BEDROOM

FIRST FLOOR

SHOWER BEDROOM KIDS’ PLAY AREA UTILITY & STORE ROOM

BASEMENT

ATTIC

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 25

HOMES LONDON

26 DECEMBER 2020 /

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LEFT In Helen and Tom’s bedroom, the curtain rail stacks all the way to one side, so it doesn’t obscure any natural light ABOVE Floor-to-ceiling Flos Parentesi lights next to a platformstyle bed emphasise the room height RIGHT For the en-suite bathroom, Helen was inspired by the work of interior designer David Hicks, specifically his fondness for black borders on brightly coloured walls

HOMES LONDON

Green and pink square tiles clad the surfaces in the family bathroom.

The wall paint was colour-matched to the same vibrant hue

S U PPL I E R S – PROJECT TEAM Architect Studio 30 Architects (studio30architects.co.uk) Engineer Heyne Tillett Steel (heynetillettsteel.com) Fire consultant Fire Risk Solutions (firerisksolutions.org.uk) Main contractor Tuga Contractors (tugacontractors.co.uk) Building Control-approved inspector London Building Control (londonbuildingcontrol.co.uk) STRUCTURE Sash windows Wooden Windows (boisrois.com) Basement tanking Renlon (renlon.co.uk) Sedum roof Sky Garden (sky-garden.co.uk) FIXTURES & FITTINGS Kitchen floor tiles Diespeker & Co (diespeker.co.uk) Kitchen carcasses Ikea (ikea.com)

28 DECEMBER 2020 /

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Kitchen door/drawer fronts Reform (reformcph.com) Bathroom tiles and hallway floor tiles Grestec (grestec.co.uk) Basins and loos Catalano (catalano.it), Laufen (laufen.com) Shower and taps Vola (en.vola.com) FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES Dining table and main bedroom lights Artek (artek.fi) Kitchen island lights Flos (flos.com), Pendant lights Hay (hay.dk) Reclining chair Twentytwentyone (twentytwentyone.com) Dining chairs Hay, Tom Dixon (tomdixon.net) Cocktail chair SCP (scp.co.uk) Vintage woodworking bench French Loft (frenchloft.com) Bedroom shelving Vitsoe (vitsoe.com) Sofas Arflex (arflex.it) Chaise Tom Dixon Main bed Get Laid Beds (getlaidbeds.co.uk) Cloakroom mirror OMK 1965 (omk1965.com)

Magnificently modest This new home on a backyard plot surrounded by other properties has been built to look as though it has been there for years WORDS AMY FREARSON PHOTOGR APHY JIM STEPHENSON

At the entrance, which is the only part of the building with more than one storey, the cantilevered first floor creates a sense of drama and scale 30 DECEMBER 2020 /

MAGAZINE.COM

HOMES EAST SUSSEX

IN BRIEF –

LOCATION: Hove, East Sussex TYPE OF PROPERTY: Detached new-build house BEDROOMS: 5 PROJECT STARTED: November 2017 PROJECT COMPLETED: May 2019 SIZE: 410sqm LAND COST: £1.04M BUILD COST £3,500 per sqm ESTIMATED VALUE £2.75m

The house surrounds a courtyard and swimming pool

Above the entrance, a poured concrete staircase leads up to a mezzanine gallery that doubles as an office and playroom

HOMES EAST SUSSEX

W

hen Paul Templeton, 43, made an offer on a plot of land in the leafy neighbourhood of Tongdean in Hove, he wanted to buy it for his property company. His plan was to build a house on the site to sell on – as one of the most sought-after addresses in the area, it was a great investment opportunity. But as the design started to take shape, he and his wife Maria Giron, 44, realised it would also make a great home for them and their three children Claudia, ten, Ana, eight, and Eduardo, three.

The timing wasn’t ideal because the couple had recently finished a major renovation of a Georgian townhouse near the seafront. Although it was a home they loved, it wasn’t well-suited to their needs. Not only was it in busy Kemptown, the heart of Brighton’s nightlife, it didn’t have any outdoor space. ‘It wasn’t the most appropriate place for us to bring up the kids,’ admits Paul.

F L O O R PL A N S

BATHROOM

GYM

STORAGE

BEDROOM

LIVING ROOM

POOL

OUTSIDE AREA

DINING ROOM

OPEN-PLAN DINING/LIVING AREA SNUG UTILITY

‘One of the principles behind the scheme was a sense of sanctuary and togetherness’ A secluded home outside town certainly made a lot more sense for the family and, by this stage, the project was already well underway. The design, by Londonbased architecture studio Turner Works, had planning permission, a contractor had been appointed and groundworks were in process, so Paul and Maria had to act fast if they wanted to rework some of the plans without delaying the build. Fortunately, the few changes they did make were just about personal preferences, such as wanting their bedroom to be in a different part of the house to the children’s rooms.

Originally part of a neighbour’s garden, the plot is set back from the road and surrounded by other properties on all sides. While some might see this as a negative, Paul and Maria viewed it as a positive, allowing them to create spaces that are introspective, with the feeling of a woodland retreat. ‘One of the principles behind the scheme from the very beginning was a sense of sanctuary and togetherness,’ says Paul.

This materialised in the form of three blocks surrounding a courtyard and swimming pool. The entrance wing, which is the largest of the three, is split over two levels that correspond with the natural topography of the site. The lowest section contains the three children’s bedrooms and a guest suite, while the floor above provides a spacious kitchen and living area, with a snug slotted in at the back. The second wing houses separate living and dining rooms, and the third block is where Paul and Maria have their bedroom.

GROUND FLOOR CORRIDOR BELOW

STUDY

LIVING ROOF

UPPER GROUND FLOOR

WC WC BEDROOM BEDROOM

WC

WC

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

WC

GROUND FLOOR

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Oversized sliding pocket doors allow the different spaces to be divided up or remain open-plan as required

What is particularly ingenious about the design is that it feels modest, despite having an area of more than 400sqm. The proportions of the spaces, and the slope of the ceilings, make the home feel cosy, even in the vast kitchen, although there are a few places where the ceiling seems extravagantly high, such as the gallerystyle corridor that runs alongside the bedrooms.

The materials used on the exterior of the house are detailed in a way that looks very crafted. Black-brick walls are flush-pointed to create a monolithic effect, while sweet chestnut cladding creates neat vertical lines both inside and 34 DECEMBER 2020 /

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out. ‘We wanted the building to look like it had been there for a long time already,’ explains architect Carl Turner.

‘The brick has a slightly aged quality to it, and the different light changes its appearance. Sometimes it looks pale brown or grey, other times it looks really dark.’

The interiors ended up as a compromise between two visions. Although Carl preferred raw finishes, Paul and Maria wanted the spaces to look polished. So while some elements have an industrial character, such as the steel roof trusses in the kitchen and the poured concrete floor, the walls have a traditional plaster finish.

HOMES EAST SUSSEX

A separate dining room includes a feature wall of sweet chestnut to match the exterior cladding. Mid-century furniture such as Arne Jacobsen’s Drop chairs adds a contrast of shape, colour and texture to the scheme

HOMES EAST SUSSEX

In the living room a contemporary Spartherm stove creates a focal point.

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The en-suite bathroom in Maria and Paul’s bedroom is accessed through a door in the built-in wardrobe

Most of the rooms are painted white with a subtle hint of green, creating a muted backdrop to the couple’s art collection. But there are areas where Maria, who works as the interior designer and stylist for their company Baobab Developments, has added a little extra colour, such as the green and yellow snug.

One of the house’s most striking features is its living roof, which landscape designer Nicholas Dexter has covered in wildflowers. It frames the courtyard with greenery, and there are places inside the house to enjoy it too, such as through the skylight in Maria and Paul’s en-suite bathroom and from the window of the mezzanine by the entrance.

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Unfortunately, the build didn’t go completely to plan.

The contractor went bust midway through the project, setting things back by several months, and despite Maria’s protests the house wasn’t completely finished when they moved in. But by the time the Covid-19 lockdown came into effect the family were well settled in.

The couple describe working from home as a breeze.

Oversized pocket doors mean they can easily open up spaces or partition them off for peace and privacy, and the large amounts of glazing make it easy to keep an eye on the children. Paul now plans to close his office and work from home permanently. ‘You could say the house has become our calling card,’ he explains.

HOMES EAST SUSSEX

ABOVE The main bedroom leads out onto the courtyard and pool area

S U PPL I E R S – Windows/doors Velfac (velfac.co.uk) PROJECT TEAM Skylights IQ Glass (iqglassuk.com) Architect Turner Works (turner.works) Concrete floors Steyson Concrete Floors Structural engineer Ian Wright Associates (steysonconcretefloors.co.uk) (0121 453 8182) Timber flooring Chaunceys Electrics and plumbing (chauncey.co.uk) NuPlanet (nuplanet.co.uk) Pool Guncast (guncast.com) Technology installation Powerplant Decking Designboard (designboard.uk.com) (powerplant.co.uk) Pavers Vande Moortel Landscape design Nicholas Dexter Studio (vandemoortel.co.uk) (nicholasdexter.com) Landscaping Grove Gardens FIXTURES & FITTINGS (grovegardens.co.uk) Joinery Arior (ariordesign.co.uk), Koop (koopfurniture.co.uk) STRUCTURE Bricks Wienerberger (wienerberger.co.uk) Home and lighting control Gira (gira.com)

Stove Spartherm (spartherm.com) Ironmongery IzĂŠ (ize.info) Kitchen Bulthaup (bulthaup.com) FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES Lighting Light Bureau (lightbureau.com) Kitchen table Million (millioncph.com) Kitchen sofa Hay (hay.dk) Oval dining table Skandium (skandium.com) Drop chairs Fritz Hansen (fritzhansen.com) Living room sofa and double bed Camerich (camerich.co.uk)

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 39

Experts in steel windows.

We design, manufacture and install bespoke frames throughout the world.

Visit us at: www.fabcosanctuary.com 01903 718808 enquiries@fabcosanctuary.com

HOMES SCOTLAND Cedral weatherboard cladding covers the exterior of the house.

Architect Graeme Andrew produced a 3D computer model so Denise and David could see how it would look

Top prize It isn’t only the road leading to this house that twists and turns, the route to it being built followed a similarly winding path WORDS NIK HUNTER PHOTOGR APHY DOUGL AS GIBB

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 41

I

n an elevated position at one end of a steep and narrow winding road, the gatehouse Denise Gray, 44, and her husband David, 45, bought in 2006 was lovely, but not big enough for a family home.

‘We had plans drawn up for a two-phase extension and added a bedroom, utility room and extended the kitchen in 2007,’ explains Denise. ‘When it came to the second phase, planned for 2012, we no longer liked the proposed layout. New plans were drawn up, which would create an open-plan living space with bigger bedrooms and more bathrooms. But it was expensive, used up a lot of the garden, and called for a new roof.’

A friend introduced David to Graeme Andrew, an architect and partner at Atastudio, and he asked his opinion about the plans. ‘I thought it was a lot of money to spend on extending that type of property as the relative gains were quite small,’ explains Graeme. ‘I said that if it was mine, I would knock it down and start again. With the VAT saving on a self-build project, it made financial sense, and Denise and David would get the house they wanted.’

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IN BRIEF –

LOCATION Kilmacolm, Scotland TYPE OF PROPERTY Detached, three-storey new-build BEDROOMS 5 (one used as a study) PROJECT STARTED May 2017 PROJECT FINISHED May 2020 BUILD COST £2,500 per sqm

HOMES SCOTLAND

ABOVE AND LEFT The kitchen and dining area has plenty of space for busy family life, from the island, which is made from solid surface Krion, to the ten-seater table from Heal’s.

The Conker wallpaper is by Petronella Hall

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 43

The living roof outside David’s study helps link the building to the surrounding landscape

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HOMES SCOTLAND

Thinking no more about the conversation, Graeme was surprised when David, who is a company director, called him several weeks later saying he thought they should build a house together. The couple had the opportunity to buy land at the back of their garden, taking the plot up to about an acre. ‘David had planning, contractors, everything in place for the proposed extension, but had cancelled the lot. I knew the project was going to be lots of fun and something special,’ Graeme says.

While the original gatehouse was traditional in design, the couple wanted something rather more daring for their new home, with more space for their daughter Erin, 12, and son Lewis, nine. At the top of a rocky hill with views across the village and surrounded by woodland on one side, the site is unique. ‘Graeme and his partner Hazel came up with about seven different models and we more or less took the bits we liked best from each one,’ explains Denise. ‘We finally agreed on a layout set over three levels with our

The original gatehouse was traditional in design, but the couple wanted something rather more daring for their new home

Denise found the idea for the oak, steel and glass staircase on Pinterest, and Graeme drew up a similar design. A hatch underneath provides internal access to the plant room

HOMES SCOTLAND

bedroom and the children’s rooms on the lower ground floor, the living, dining and kitchen in the middle, and guest bedroom and study at the top.’

Keen to ensure that the new-build would be as energy-efficient as possible, the couple incorporated a plant room into the design so they could install a ground-source heat pump, mechanical ventilation with heat-recovery system (MVHR) and Tesla power walls, which would store energy from the solar panels to power the house and their electric cars.

In May 2017 the family moved into a rented house in the village and the bulk of the work was completed in two years. ‘It was an emotional rollercoaster,’ says Denise. ‘There was a period of about three months when nothing happened. It wasn’t the construction team’s fault as the steel frame manufacturer let us down and then some of it was missing. We had started to pay the mortgage in addition to our rent and that was hard.

But there were days when we would visit and we could see huge leaps forward.’

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Getting the house designed and made was a complex matter. ‘Structurally, it was complicated because it is built on a steel skeleton. We had to come up with ways to hold it up as well as anchor it into the ground because the wind going underneath was a potential hazard,’ says Graeme.

The solution was a steel frame structure that forms a bridge over the carport, with a cantilever that pushes the living space out towards the valley.

The angular rooms and expanses of glazing also required a creative approach to ensure the frame was hidden from view. Denise, who is a countryside ranger, commissioned interior designer Anna Campbell-Jones to help with the living spaces and terraces. ‘David and Denise love colour and vintage furniture, and incorporating them helped soften the newness,’ she says.

Though the project may have taken several twists and turns, the family’s home stands proudly in its landscape as well as being an integral part of it. ‘I have said I’d never do it again, but if we ever decided to move, it would involve another self-build,’ says Denise.

ABOVE The living room shelving was created using Ikea kitchen cabinets that have been built around solid oak frames

F L O O R PL A N S

SNUG

DINING

KITCHEN BEDROOM SHOWER

LARDER UTILITY

WC STUDY BEDROOM

BEDROOM BEDROOM

WARDROBE

GROUND FLOOR

LIVING ROOM

FIRST FLOOR

The main bedroom leads into a spacious walk-in wardrobe

ABOVE A freestanding bath in Denise and David’s bedroom looks out on the garden

SECOND FLOOR

HOMES SCOTLAND The guest bedroom looks out over the barbecue area and the terrace below

S U PPL I E R S – PROJECT TEAM Architect Graeme and Hazel Andrew, Atastudio (atastudio.com) Structural engineer Ian Douglas, Design ID (designid.co.uk) Main contractor John Miller Construction (johnmillerconstruction.co.uk) Interior Design Anna Campbell-Jones, Habitus (habitus.design) STRUCTURE Steel frame erection AL Perrie (0141 644 2240) Windows and doors Velfac (velfac.co.uk)

48 DECEMBER 2020 /

Staircase and external railings/platforms McLaughlan Fabrication (m-fab.com) Sedum roof Rubberseal (rubberseal.com) Cedral weatherboard cladding Marley (marley.co.uk) Black zinc ERBS (0141 563 5051) Landscaping Bauen Construction (07834 150 996) Planting/soft landscaping Mhairi Auld Garden Design (mhairiauld.co.uk) Rock escarpment planting Kevock Garden Plants (kevockgarden.co.uk)

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Stonework and walls MS Stone (msstoneltd.co.uk) Tesla batteries and sunpower solar panels Ceiba Renewables (ceiba-renewables.co.uk) Ground-source heat pump, MVHR system and underfloor heating Anderson Floor Warming & Renewables (andersonfloorwarming.co.uk) FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Bathrooms Victor Paris (victorparis.com) Kitchen Aspire Trade Kitchens (aspiretradekitchens.co.uk)

Lighting/smart home system D3 Audio Visual (d3av.co.uk) Tiles and kitchen island Porcelanosa (porcelanosa.com) Water feature Splash Gordon (splashgordon.co.uk) FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES Upholstered door, curtains, wallpaper, living room furniture and rug, and terrace furniture Anna Campbell-Jones, Habitus Dining table Heal’s (heals.com) Dining chairs and island stools Hay (hay.dk)

ADVERTISING PROMOTION A twin-wall flue pipe means the Reflex 105 Multi-Sided can be installed without a chimney, from £4,695

A RIVAL TO THE REAL THING Stove specialist Stovax & Gazco on the benefits of heating your home with a gas appliance this winter Gas stoves and fires have all the appeal of real woodburners, but with a host of useful features. Some, such as the Gazco Sheraton 5, are designed to look the same, with convincing logs and flames. This stove has the traditional charm of a freestanding woodburner, with cornice detailing and elegant legs, but can be switched on or off at the touch of a button.

Gas fires come in different sizes and styles, and many have energysaving features. The Reflex 105 MultiSided is a wide-format, panoramic gas fire that can be enjoyed from almost

any angle, and has a range of features to reduce gas consumption, including an adjustable flame height. This designer fire can also be converted into a corner installation if desired.

But one of the biggest benefits to choosing gas is that many stoves come in both conventional flue and balanced flue versions, which makes it possible to install them in a home without a chimney. With a balanced flue stove or fire like the Loft, the appliance is completely sealed off from the room, and a twin-wall pipe vents directly to an outside wall, meaning there’s no need for a chimney at all.

The Loft gas stove offers a realistic flame, from £2,325

● For more information, visit stovax.com MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 49

HOMES SWEDEN

Close to nature The design of this family home was dictated by the idyllic rural plot on which it sits WORDS LYKKE FOGED PHOTOGR APHY MORTEN HOLTUM

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Oskar Paulrud and his wife Lærke Paulrud Larsson built their house in the centre of a substantial 37-acre plot

IN BRIEF –

LOCATION Near Stockholm, Sweden TYPE OF PROPERTY Single-storey new-build BEDROOMS 4 PROJECT STARTED 2015 PROJECT ENDED 2018 SIZE 172sqm LAND COST Approx £217,000 BUILD COST Approx £607,000

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 51

W

hen Swedish-born Oskar Paulrud was head-hunted for a job in Stockholm, Sweden, he and his wife Lærke Paulrud Larsson decided to relocate from Denmark, where Oskar had been living for the past 17 years. ‘It was a bit of a surprise and called for careful consideration and planning,’ says Lærke.

Their first task was finding somewhere to live. It had to be close enough to the capital for Oskar, 51, to commute to his new role as a development manager, and far enough into the countryside for Lærke, 39, who is a horse trainer and riding instructor, to work. Eventually, they found a 37-acre plot near a village just four miles south of Stockholm, and their self-build story began.

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The couple, who have three children, Ture, 12, Linn, nine, and Sixten, six, wanted to build a striking home that would also support the needs of their young family. ‘Although the children were used to living in a rural area, moving to a new country with a different culture was quite a change for them,’ says Lærke.

For their first two years in Sweden, the family lived in a rented home while they sought planning permission for their project. Oskar and Lærke designed the new house themselves, with the help of their friend Jorian Egge, who did the architectural drawings. The couple wanted a home with big expanses of glazing to take advantage of the scenery, but not to be overlooked. So they positioned the house in the middle of the plot for maximum privacy.

ABOVE Strips of Swedish oak line the exterior walls. The front entrance is at ground level while the rear of the house is raised above the sloping terrain on Corten steel columns

HOMES SWEDEN

Oskar customised Ikea units to create the island and the space-saving arrangement of cabinets on the kitchen walls

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 53

HOMES SWEDEN

Due to the sloping nature of the site, the entrance to the single-storey, felt-roofed house is at ground level, but the building extends out over an incline where it is supported on concrete-filled Corten steel pipes, which were also used for the foundations. As well as emphasising the views of the surrounding fields and woodland, the couple wanted the house to relate to the land through its design. The tiles that line the bathroom walls and the floor are made of limestone sourced from Oland. ‘It’s Sweden’s second largest island and my birthplace,’ explains Oskar. The exterior walls of the house are clad in horizontal strips of Swedish oak – all of the materials were chosen to be long-lasting and to age beautifully.

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It was important to the couple that their home uses as little energy as possible, so it is warmed by an exhaust air-source heat pump and has its own waste-treatment system. The construction company was not only responsible for the build, but also involved in every last detail right down to the internal fixtures and fittings.

‘Consulting with our contractors at every stage made the process longer and also quite a bit more costly,’ Oskar explains. ‘But we wanted to be totally happy with it and luckily there weren’t too many compromises.’

Inside, pine-clad ceilings contrast with unpainted Gypsum plaster walls and oak plank floors, and most of the interior wood has been treated with soap to repel dirt.

HOMES SWEDEN

Inside, pine-clad ceilings contrast with unpainted Gypsum plaster walls and oak plank floors

The couple decided against skirting boards for a sleeker finish, and to keep maintenance to a minimum there are no painted surfaces either inside or out. They also opted for pocket sliding doors that disappear into the walls so they don’t take up any space and the whole living area can be made open-plan if required.

The layout has been designed to provide flexibility for Oskar, Lærke and the children, who can spend time together or find a place to be alone to work or relax.

But much of the joy of living in the house is its elevated position looking out over the countryside and providing a connection with nature that all the family can enjoy.

ABOVE Corner glazing maximises the sense of space in the living area. A chunky natural-fibre rug adds warmth and texture LEFT At the dining table, which Oskar made from wood left over from the flooring, are Hans Wegner’s iconic Wishbone chairs

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 55

HOMES SWEDEN

The bathroom light is a vintage flea market find. Oskar made the concrete basin himself

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The limestone tiles lining the bathroom surfaces were sourced from Oland, Sweden’s second largest island

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 57

HOMES SWEDEN

F L O O R PL A N TERRACE

BEDROOM DINING AREA

KITCHEN

LIVING AREA

BEDROOM STUDY

BEDROOM BEDROOM UTILITY

S U PPL I E R S – PROJECT TEAM Design Oskar Paulrud and Lærke Paulrud Larsson Architectural drawings Jorian Egge (jorianegge.com) FIXTURES & FITTINGS Windows Velfac (velfac.dk) Flooring Rimbo Timmer (rimbotimmer.se) Cladding Emil Lindberg (+46 3822 2042) Exhaust air-source heat pump Nibe (nibe.eu) Insulation Isocell (isocell.com) Kitchen cabinets Ikea (ikea.com) Taps Vola (vola.com), Tapwell (tapwell.com) Tiles Stiltje (stiltje.se), Sjöström Stenförädling (sjostromstenforadling.se) FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES Living room sofa Ilva (ilva.dk) Living room and dining area rugs Kusiner (kusiner.dk) Hans Wegner Wishbone chair Fredericia (fredericia.com) Office pendant light Le Klint (leklint.dk) Office desk lamp Ikea Bedroom light Lightyears (fritzhansen.com) Bed linen Care By Me (carebyme.dk) Bathroom towels Mette Ditmer (metteditmer.dk)

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Oskar and Lærke’s bedroom leads on to a balcony with uninterrupted views of their land

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 59

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Offering comfort and warmth anytime of the year.

T: 01952 200444 www.charltonandjenrick.co.uk Charlton & Jenrick brands:

Built around a central lightwell, this airy, split-level home in east London was once a mechanic’s workshop. Turn to page 69 for more

PHOTOGRAPHY FRENCH + TYE

PROJECTS

Renovation diary: part 15

Clever conversion projects

How to build a home office

A buyer’s guide to dining tables

65

69

85

95

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 63

PROJECTS RENOVATION DIARY

Reena and Matt’s daughter Isla steps down the timber and concrete block platforms at the base of the steel-framed staircase

The finer details are coming together

WORDS NAME HERE PHOTOGRAPHY NAME HERE

Small but important finishing touches are beginning to make the house feel more like a home – though there’s still a way to go Reena Simon, 37, interior stylist and blogger (hyggeforhome.com), lives in Cardiff with her husband Matt, 41, and their three young daughters. Follow the family’s progress each month as they convert a 1960s bungalow into a two-storey home

We’ve been living in the house for a few weeks now and have mixed feelings about the experience so far.

I have found the transition from being in a fully finished rented home to a half-finished building site quite difficult. I just want to click my fingers and for it all to be done!

Matt, on the other hand, has a far more relaxed approach and is happy despite being aware of

the work still to go. Similarly, our three girls have adapted well and are not fazed at all. They wake up to the builders being here each day and the chaos that surrounds them, but I think they quite like it.

We are just a few doors away from where my family live, but we have not been able to invite them over or pop round to see them for several weeks because Cardiff MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 65

PROJECTS RENOVATION DIARY

has been in a local lockdown, so that has been challenging as well.

The build has slowed down over the past three weeks as our main contractor has had lots of other jobs to fit in. Luckily, it has not had a huge impact on progress as, for the most part, we are at the decorating stage. Two contractors have been on site most days and, in a relatively short space of time, the joiners have finished the staircase, the concealed doors to the bathroom and the girls’ bedrooms.

It had always been our intention to clad the steel treads of the staircase with timber. And walking on cold metal first thing in the morning and late at night, while waiting for the treads to be clad, confirmed to us 66 DECEMBER 2020 /

The timber on the treads has softened the look of the exposed steel balustrade that we’d made the right decision. It’s been much nicer stepping on wood and the timber has softened the look of the exposed steel balustrade.

The staircase was designed with Building Regulations in mind. As we await sign-off, I have been in regular contact with the local council’s department. But it has been quite tricky to get an inspector to pay us

MAGAZINE.COM

a visit due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so we are still awaiting approval for the concrete steps that take you into the split-level part of the house.

We decided to use the local authority Building Regulations team rather than a private firm because this was the route recommended by our main contractor.

Until we began working on the interior, I didn’t feel particularly comfortable or knowledgeable enough to speak to Building Regulations. But it is important to have an on-going conversation with the inspectors and for them to understand our vision for the house, so I have been keeping in contact myself, rather than relying on our builder to liaise with them.

ABOVE The platforms were conceived as multifunctional spaces where the children could play RIGHT A snug area on the first-floor landing.

Treehouse Oak White timber wall cladding from Waxed Floors hides concealed doors to create a seamless look

RENOVATION PROJECT PLANNING GUIDE

1

FINDING A PLOT OR RUNDOWN PROPERTY Search via land and property websites, contact local estate agents and get on the mailing lists for upcoming property auctions.

2

SEEK PLANNING PERMISSION It’s required before you start any work, apart from changes completed under permitteddevelopment rules.

3

SET A BUDGET AND HIRE YOUR TEAM Work out a budget and then secure funds as a priority. Seek recommendations for architects and builders. Visit their completed projects.

4

MANAGE THE PROJECT Give your team a clear brief for the build. Set a schedule of works and make sure that the legally binding construction contract is ready.

5

PHOTOGRAPHY MARIE PALBOM

PROJECT TEAM Architect Downs Merrifield Architects (downsmerrifield.com) Builder REG Construction (regconstruction.co.uk) Concrete floor Premier Concrete Design (premierconcretedesign.co.uk) Electrics Liam Broad Electrical (07948 834 166) Interior architecture Alex Nikjoo (nikjoo.co.uk) Kitchen Devol (devolkitchens.co.uk) Landscape architect Victoria Wade Landscape Architecture (victoriawade.co.uk) Lighting Nicholas Merchent, Home Lighting & Design (hldstudio.com) Planning consultant LRM Planning (lrmplanning.com) Plaster Vale Venetian (valevenetian.com) Staircase Ad Hoc Designs (adhocdesigns.co.uk) Flooring Waxed Floors (waxedfloors.co.uk) The joiners have just completed the wall cladding in the girls’ snug area.

Our architect built his own home and created a shared space directly outside his children’s bedrooms.

I liked the idea so much that I asked for a similar area to be added into the layout of our new first floor.

I imagine its use will change over the years as the girls grow up, going from a space they can play Lego to somewhere they

REENA’S RENOVATION TIP Always ask questions and seek clarity from everyone involved in your project, especially if you are a first-timer.

It is important to understand what is going on and cut through the jargon.

relax and read or use the computer.

I wanted it to feel like a room and not just an oversized landing, so the walls are clad in timber to match the doors.

It looks seamless and modern Scandinavian in style.

Next on the to-do list is the fireplace. We have decided to go with an insert stove after going back and forth for months trying to decide between this option and a freestanding woodburner.

MAKE REGULAR INSPECTIONS Visit the site to ensure that everything is in order and the work is progressing as planned. Address any issues as they arise.

6

SIGN OFF THE PROJECT Take a tour of the finished work with your build team and note down any snags that need to be corrected before signing off on the renovation project.

● Next month: Preparing to install the fireplace

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 67

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10 From stables to schools, the most unlikely buildings can be turned into a home WORDS ANNA WINSTON

Incredible conversions There are many reasons to take on a conversion rather than building from scratch or renovating an old house. Non-domestic properties are often more interesting and more generous spaces, while the limitations of a structure can inspire unique, even spectacular responses. Occasionally, taking on a ruin provides access to a site that would otherwise be out of reach, whether it’s too expensive, too difficult to push through planning or too rare. These ten inspiring projects show how a little creative thinking can turn almost any building into a beautiful home.

1

MAKING CONNECTIONS In 2011 Gail Arkle and her architect husband James, the co-founder of architecture practice ArkleBoyce (arkleboyce.co.uk), bought an unloved school in a village near York after discovering it had been sold for £5 years before to store a neighbour’s tractor.

They then made some basic alterations so that the Grade II listed structure was safe to live in while they decided what they wanted to do with it.

In 2018 they chose a 195sqm design that would become a long-term family home for them and their three young boys. The stone building has remained largely unchanged, but is now connected to a contemporary extension with panoramic views of the garden and surrounding landscape. The ground floor is large enough to include a playroom, living room, and kitchen and dining space, while the first floor contains three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a lot of storage.

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 69

2

PLAYING WITH SCALE Designed

for an artist, this four- bedroom home inside a former tractor shed in Hertfordshire includes two large studio spaces. The owner grew up in a rambling farmhouse, and liked the idea of cosy, hidden-away rooms combined with views of the landscape and barn-like spaces.

In response, HealthWalker Studio (heathwalker.uk) turned the building into a sequence of rooms of varying scales, with different-sized windows and openings that frame the surrounding countryside.

The entrance hall, kitchen and main studio use the whole height of the house, but elsewhere a second level was added. A hidden mezzanine is accessed through a cupboard, while a slot window looks down onto the larger of the studios.

The timber cladding was made from the client’s own trees and the 427sqm home has a heat pump and two wood stoves to provide hot water and warmth. A similar project would cost around £1,800 per sqm, before VAT.

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PROJECTS GRAND GUIDE

3

UNDERGROUND WORKS

Amie Oyston teamed up with her father, a former engineer, to turn a 1920s mechanic’s workshop into a three-bedroom home in east London. Working with architect Stuart Hatcher (stuarthatcher.com), they transformed the single-storey, pitched-roof structure, despite restrictions from the council stopping them from extending up or out.

The basement plan turned the garage into a split-level home with a central lightwell. The £500,000 project involved massive excavation and underpinning works, as well as new plumbing and drainage systems.

Wooden doors were added on the street front for more privacy, along with frosted-glass windows to help light reach into the building.

The ground floor includes a bike and bin store, a kitchen and two bedrooms. The living room on the upper floor overlooks the kitchen, while the third bedroom sits on the other side of the lightwell.

4

WAREHOUSE RESTORATION Living in one of Amsterdam’s iconic canal houses was a long-term dream for architect Thomas Geerlings, the founder of Framework Studio (framework.eu), and his wife Danielle. In 2017 they discovered a derelict warehouse building dating back to 1896, and bought it hoping to make it their home. But only then did they discover that the tall, narrow building was practically a ruin.

Using the city’s archive, they restored the structure and turned it into a five-bedroom home suitable for them and their two young children.

With a footprint of just 50sqm, the house is spread over five floors, and the exterior has been kept as close to the original as possible. Inside, Thomas used natural materials such as oak and marble, with raw cement walls and rounded edges on every surface to create an elegant but practical interior. Custom-made tables and benches make the most of the space, including a long play/worksurface for the kids on the first floor.

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5

UNIQUE EMPHASIS

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ACCESSIBLE DESIGN A long, narrow chicken shed in Surrey was transformed into a 275sqm home for a young

This former stable in Overijse, Belgium, was turned into a 140sqm home

by Belgian firm Poot Architectuur (poot-architectuur.be). Because it had experienced a range of uses over time, there was an unusual arrangement of different-sized windows at varying levels.

But instead of stripping them out, the architect turned the windows into a feature, even adding a few more as well as some rooflights. The attic floor was removed and replaced with a wooden mezzanine level that incorporates the original beams.

To keep the living, kitchen and dining space open, the new staircase runs along the back wall and extends out of the kitchen unit, creating one long piece of built-in furniture. A colour palette of white and grey ties the old and new together, with whitewashed walls, grey storage and kitchen counters, and steel joinery. The project cost around ÂŁ315,000.

family by A-Zero Architects (a-zero.co.uk). The brief was to create a design that could be built simply, with minimal equipment, for around ÂŁ1,250 per sqm, but it also had to be wheelchair-accessible, hence the single-storey layout.

A-Zero Architects reused much of the original structure, adding a new roof with distinctive exposed scissor trusses that maximise the ceiling height and lend the house its name, Ticking Truss Barn. An open-plan kitchen, dining and living space occupies one end, with the main bedroom at the other, connected by a corridor that has three smaller bedrooms leading off it. A combination of slatted screens and deep reveals adds privacy for the occupants, while retaining a sense of openness and helping to control solar heat gain.

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PROJECTS GRAND GUIDE

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HISTORY REVEALED In Rec, a former industrial neighbourhood of Igualada near Barcelona, Spain, a 19th-century brick building that once contained a textile factory and an adjacent house have been turned into a generously sized 400sqm five-bedroom family home with a 180sqm office.

Costing around ÂŁ350,000, the project involved stripping out most of the interior to create large, open spaces.

Spanish firm Guallart Architects (guallart.com) retained the stone walls and wooden beams, leaving them exposed and adding large square and rectangular wood-framed windows. The outer walls have also been stripped back to reveal the different materials used on the building over time, and a new mural has been added by the artist Btoy.

A huge, double-height room with an open fireplace and a mezzanine library fills the ground floor. The children’s bedrooms and guest rooms are on the first floor, while the main bedroom and bathroom are on the top level.

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CHARACTER RETAINED

Closed since the 1970s, this classic Victorian pub on a corner site in a south London conservation area had already been converted into a home, but new owners John and Mary Mulryan wanted to reorganise the 215sqm space for their family of four.

Working closely with Areta Soare from Glenn Howells Architects (glennhowells.co.uk), they chose to keep the shape of the building, but completely redo the previous alterations and rear extension to create their four-bedroom home.

The living spaces are on the first floor, with a new roof terrace that acts as an extension to the kitchen, allowing the two toddlers to play outside and inside and providing a connection to the garden. A lot of the decisions were driven by a desire to respect the original materials, including the brick walls, which were painted.

The main bedroom on the ground floor opens onto the garden with a pair of glazed doors, while the guest bedroom at the front of the house in the old bar uses the original frosted glazing for a sense of privacy.

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PROJECTS GRAND GUIDE

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TERRACE UNITED

PHOTOGRAPHY NICHOLAS WORLEY, ADRIEN FOUERE, FRENCH+TYE, JEF JACOBS, ADAM SCOTT, ADRIA GOULA, ROB PARRISH, RAPHAEL THIBODEAU, SALT PRODUCTIONS, KASIA GATKOWSKA

Architect Natalie Dionne converted an apartment building into a 172sqm, three-bedroom home in Montreal, Canada, for clients Leonard Eichel and France Houle.

The original plan for the classic Montreal row (or terraced) house was to preserve the brick walls, but in the end the brickwork at the back had to be replaced entirely. This allowed the architect to add large, glazed folding doors at ground level, and tall, narrow windows on the upper floor.

A double-height space was carved out above the dining area on the ground floor, which also houses the kitchen and living spaces. Internal windows give the main bedroom, which overlooks the dining table, a balcony feel. Though defunct, the original chimney breast was retained to ensure that brick was still a presence inside the home.

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SPACIOUS MERGER A Victorian mid-terrace in Peckham, south London, has been extended from 175sqm to 245sqm by incorporating and converting its neighbouring coach house. With a budget of £325,000, Studio 30 Architects (studio30architects.co.uk) was tasked with making the home as spacious as possible for the owners’ growing family. This involved some hard decisions about which features to keep, but the architect was able to reuse a lot of the materials, including the original floors, which were refitted on top of underfloor heating.

There are four bedrooms, including a main bedroom with an en-suite bathroom in the zinc-clad dormer extension, which is accessed via a new staircase. The new entrance is through the former coach house, with views from the hallway through to the large kitchen-dining area at the back and the garden beyond.

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GRANT

PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY IMAGES, ISTOCK

Grand Designs magazine and Grand Designs Live are partnering with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to help deliver greener, more energy-efficient housing stock. This special section includes information from BEIS and Energy Saving Trust about the UK government’s Green Homes Grant and the energy-saving measures available under the scheme. To get the latest updates on the grant and find a TrustMark-registered installer, visit the Grand Designs magazine website at granddesignsmagazine.com/green-homes

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2018 77

ADVERTISING PROMOTION

WRAP YOUR HOME UP WITH A GREEN HOMES GRANT Up to £5,000 is now available to homeowners and landlords in England to pay part of the cost of installing energyefficient measures. Low-income households can get 100 per cent of the cost of work, up to £10,000.

The government initiative is open until March 2021, and is expected to benefit 600,000 households, who could save up to £600 a year on their energy bills while also doing their bit to help the UK cut emissions.

Find out more on the Green Homes Grant website, or follow our simple steps below.

See greenhomesgrant.campaign.gov.uk ● Check your eligibility at the government

website and find out which measures you can install. To be eligible, you must live in England, own your home or be a residential 78 DECEMBER 2020 /

landlord. See gov.uk/guidance/apply-forthe-green-homes-grant-scheme ● Get quotes for the work from Green Homes Grant installers. Once you have decided which improvements to have installed, we recommend getting at least three quotes from certified installers to make sure you are getting the best value for money. It is expected installers will not charge for a quote. ● Choose your installer and apply for your voucher from the government website.

All work covered by the voucher must be completed by a TrustMark-registered installer who is registered for the scheme.

Your installer will also need to meet PAS and MCS standards. Accreditation ensures traders work to specified standards to ensure the highest quality, with robust consumer

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protection. Those who don’t have internet access can ask a family member or friend to apply on their behalf. See gov.uk/checkeligible-green-homes-grant ● Once you’ve received your voucher, work can begin. Applying for a voucher does not guarantee that your application will be approved. Any work started before this cannot be claimed. ● Confirm work is complete and pay any remaining costs. To redeem your voucher, you’ll need to confirm the installation was completed satisfactorily, you have paid your share of the costs to the installer, and you are eligible. The grant will then be paid to the installer.

PHOTOGRAPHY ISTOCK

As the clocks go back and the days grow darker, homeowners can make their homes warmer and save money on their energy bills with a Green Homes Grant

Spend less on your bills by choosing the most energy-efficient solutions to keep your home warm

STAYING POWER Energy Saving Trust provides expert advice to make your home more efficient this winter

Do you want to make your home more energy efficient with an innovative, renewable heating technology? If so, a heat pump could be the answer according to Energy Saving Trust, an independent organisation dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, low-carbon transport and sustainable energy use. Find out more about the different types of heat pumps and why they may be the right choice for your home.

Types of heat pumps There are two types: air-source heat pumps and ground-source heat pumps. Which one suits my home?

Air-source heat pumps These start at around £8,000. They absorb warmth from the air at temperatures as low 80 DECEMBER 2020 /

as -15ºC, are easy to install, and don’t require a large amount of outdoor space, which means they are suitable for most homes.

The benefits include long-term savings on your bills, a lower carbon footprint and an energy-efficient home.

Ground-source heat pumps Typically priced from £14,000 to £19,000, ground-source heat pumps have running costs that depend on a number of factors, including property size. An innovative source of renewable power, they help reduce your home’s carbon footprint by bringing in three times more energy than they use.

Warmth from the ground is absorbed into a fluid, which then passes through a heat exchanger into a heat pump. This can then be converted to power anything from radiators to underfloor heating systems.

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Air-source vs ground-source Before deciding which one is right for you, it is important to understand the practicalities of installation, from how the existing level of insulation in your home affects things, to the outdoor space available, to planning permission. Energy Saving Trust has more information and advice to help your choice.

Can I get funding?

As part of the government’s £2 billion Green Homes Grant scheme, vouchers are available to homeowners and landlords in England to help them install a heat pump.

If you would like to get your home ready for winter, you can check eligibility and apply for the vouchers (available until 31 March 2021) through energysavingtrust.org.uk/homeinsulation/green-homes-grant-scheme

ADVERTISING PROMOTION Ground-source heat pumps extract energy from the earth, bringing in three times more than they use

PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY IMAGES

ABOVE Air-source pumps extract heat from the air, no matter how cold, and are suitable for most homes LEFT Ensure each room in the house remains nice and warm by installing low-carbon heating ● For more information, visit energysavingtrust.org.uk or call 020 7222 0101 MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 81

AS FEATURED ON GRAND DESIGNS

www.clear-living.co.uk info@clear-living.co.uk 01606 45109

Extend your living space The frameless insulated sliding doors by Sky-Frame blend naturally into their surroundings.

So it is hard to say where the living room ends and where the view starts. www.sky-frame.ch

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CONTEMPORARY FIRES AND STOVES AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE Autumn is a magical time of the year. There’s a chill in the air, the nights draw in and red, brown and golden leaves dramatically transform the landscape.

And today’s contemporary fires offer a wealth of design options that will grace any home, from a modest urban terrace to a rustic rural retreat.

When returning from a long day at work, there is no better welcome than the dancing flames and comforting glow of a modern, clean burning fire or stove.

DRU designs and produces fires and stoves across five brands in all fuel types and price points. Find a dealer near you and treat yourself this autumn.

Dik Geurts Bora Corner wood stove

Global by DRU 55XT gas fire

DRUFIRE.COM

PROJECTS HOME OFFICE

Make space to work It’s time to ditch the cramped laptop desk and take a look at building a home office that’s an inspiration in itself WORDS CAROLINE RODRIGUES

A complete refit of a Victorian terraced house, which included moving the staircase and extending at the back, gave architect Fraher & Findlay the opportunity to create a study on the first floor. It looks out onto the new ground floor kitchen-diner extension across a glass balustrade. The project cost £3,600 per sqm plus fees. (fraherandfindlay.com)

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New horizons are opening up, both in the demand for home-working and the design possibilities it brings. ‘We want to disrupt how we see the conventional office,’ says Zoe Little, founding partner at Koto (kotodesign.co.uk), whose new garden office is intended to provide privacy and direct access to nature. Having a dedicated space to work, whatever size, will always beat hunching over a laptop on the sofa.

Alter the layout

BELOW In the newbuild Flat House in Cambridgeshire, Practice Architecture designed this mezzanine area to be a flexible space for home-working and occasional guests.

It has access to a roof terrace, views over the fields and a balcony. The three-bedroom home cost £250,000. (practicearchitecture. co.uk)

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Look at your home with a critical eye and then draw a rough plan to see whether dividing up a room, requisitioning part of a corridor or repositioning a door could work. Creating a separate space for a study won’t necessarily involve huge sums and major disruption.

Moving a stud wall or building a new one is a simple job for a builder – the expense comes when altering a load-bearing wall where supportive steels are required. In many Victorian or Edwardian houses the main bedroom often takes the whole width of the property and a portion could be partitioned off with its own window and door.

If there are high ceilings, an office can be slotted into a mezzanine. Glazed partitioning will allow a flow of light into windowless spaces.

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PROJECTS HOME OFFICE

LEFT AND BELOW When adding a new loft bedroom and shower room to this four-bedroom end-ofterrace Victorian house, Inglis Badrashi Loddo lined the walls and ceiling in pale poplar plywood and added a built-in desk and reading space, which sit snugly within the dormer. The project cost £150,000

Work within the rules Some build projects can be completed under permitted development. If your home has already been extended in any way, including the loft, this will affect the size of any additions you may be planning. Get more advice at planningportal.co.uk.

Depending on its size and position, an outdoor room can be designed with permitted development – garden building companies know the rules. The maximum eaves height is 2.5m with an overall height of 3m for a single pitch or 4m for a dual pitch. There are also rules on how close it can be to the boundary of the property. If you don’t need planning permission, you could apply for a Lawful Development Certificate for peace of mind.

If your home has already been extended in any way, including the loft, this will affect the size of any additions you may be planning Top-level option Loft conversions often include a dormer since this is a good way to maximise head height for a bedroom or home office.

A cheaper solution is to use the sloping roofline. ‘Since rooflights can sit within the insulation zone of the roof, they’ll add more height in strategic locations such as over a desk,’ says architect Kim Loddo of Inglis Badrashi Loddo (ibla.co.uk).

Clever storage solutions are key here. ‘It is tempting to try and maximise the amount of floorspace, but creating cupboards and built-in furniture to fit into the eaves is a better use of the areas with limited head height,’ says Kim. MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 87

Adapt or add on If you’re planning a new extension, now’s the time to factor in a study, or perhaps an existing extension has left a small side return space that can be adapted. ‘Infilling a courtyard is very doable provided you plan ahead,’ says Steve Cox of Cox Architects (coxarchitects.co.uk). ‘This means dealing with the drains, submitting a planning application, dealing with any neighbours’ concerns, meeting Building Regulations and keeping things weather-tight.’

LEFT AND ABOVE Architect TE-A obtained permission for this wraparound extension to a five-bedroom 1930s house, selecting oak framing in keeping with the oak posts of the original front porch. The owners, who regularly work from home, requested an office, extra living and dining space, and a boot room.

Shelving and low-level cupboards conceal services on the original external wall. The project cost £220,000 (te-architects.com)

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PROJECTS HOME OFFICE

Garage conversion Turning an integrated garage into a home office is relatively simple. The wall insulation may already be sufficient, though the floor may need to be raised to bring it to the level of the rest of the ground floor. An attached or detached garage is likely to have single-skin walls, so insulation must be added and you’ll need to insulate the roof and floor too. Before proceeding, check with your council’s planning department whether change of use is permitted, and whether adding windows or altering the external appearance requires planning permission.

Outdoor retreat

ABOVE The courtyard between a four-bedroom Victorian house and its modern extension, completed a few years ago, became a bonus for the owners when they needed dedicated office space. Cox Architects filled in the courtyard, retaining the original French doors as a boundary between the original building and the extension. The £36,000 project includes a walk-on glass floor panel which lights the basement room below and can also be opened as a means of escape

From off-the-peg structures to architect-designed buildings, outdoor rooms are ideal for home offices. Even the smallest garden can take one – consider the Mini Garden Office from Garden Affairs (gardenaffairs.co.uk), which measures just 1.8x2.4m and has space for a desk, chair and bookshelves. Site it in the shade to avoid working in the glare of the sun. A bespoke architectdesigned building would add extra cachet to your home even if you’re limited to working within permitted development. Experimenting with the form and adding distinctive cladding can result in a small-scale masterpiece.

LEFT This sculptural yet practical cabin was created by Koto (kotodesign.co.uk) in partnership with New Art Centre (sculpture.uk.com).

Intended for all-year use, it’s highly insulated and the large window can be glass or acrylic. It comes with a fitted desk, and sockets for lighting. The Koto x New Art Centre Sculpture Office Cabin costs from £31,200, bespoke versions are available

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PROJECTS HOME OFFICE

A dedicated area The simplest, most cost-effective solution could be right under your nose. Borrowing part of a room is the most straightforward option for a study space, and need not compromise your design scheme. A wall of made-to-measure cupboards could conceal a built-in desk and all the shelving and storage you need. In a living room or kitchen, a freestanding desk with a modular arrangement of cabinets and shelving can look smart enough that you won’t want to close it off, but a screen, sliding or folding doors are worth investigating.

Other areas you could kit out include landings, an alcove or understair space. ‘Create a space in which you can “go to work” and leave once the day is done,’ says Camilla Clarke, joint creative director of interior design studio Albion Nord (albion-nord.com). ‘This way, when you finish work, your home will still feel like a home.’

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ABOVE AND LEFT This study adjoins a bedroom in a Victorian townhouse and includes bespoke furniture based on Roundhouse’s Urbo handleless range. To the right of the solid oak desk with oak-veneered drawer are tall units with high-gloss oak veneer doors. Roundhouse bespoke office furniture starts at £5,000 (roundhousedesign.com)

new houses | extensions | refurbishments | basement excavations | swimming pools

If you have an architectural or interior design project please email gp@gregoryphillips.com

LONDON | LOS ANGELES

gregoryphillips.com | +44 20 7724 3040 |

@gregoryphillipsarchitects

PROJECTS HOME OFFICE

GET THE OUTSIDE EDGE Upgrade an outbuilding with advice from architect Richard John Andrews (richard johnandrews.co.uk) ● Check with the planning

department that any change to the exterior, such as upgrading the cladding, is permitted. Then do your research. There are so many amazing materials out there, from bitumen roofing paper stuck over plywood to MD cork facade board, to traditional Japanese timber-cladding methods like Shou Sugi Ban. Zinc/metal cladding systems such as interlocking panels or bespoke diamond-format tiles can be used on roofs or walls. ● Add or enlarge the

windows, as the more light you can let in the better.

North-facing indirect light is the best, as rooflights and glazed walls that get direct sun can heat up in summer. Try eBay for salvaged double-glazed units, or ask for old units from someone demolishing an extension, then install them using a simple timber window frame. ● Sustainable insulation is

PHOTOGRAPHY ADAM SCOTT, OSKAR PROCTOR, BROTHERTON-LOCK, JOAO FREIRE, EDVINAS BRUZAS, NICK KANE, RICHARD CHIVERS

Kitting it out Considering the position and number of sockets and wiring for lighting at an early stage of the project is key for a practical result. An ergonomically designed chair is a must, and it’s worth exploring whether a height-adjustable desk that allows you to stand some of the time works for you. Built-in furniture will make the best use of whatever space you have, and the result will cater for your specific needs. A storage wall can incorporate a desk, though if you have the space it’s far more pleasant when a workstation is alongside a window.

ABOVE AND RIGHT For complete flexibility go for a modular approach. The String system, designed by Nisse Strinning in 1949 and later expanded, includes mix-and-match shelves, side panels, cabinets and desks. You can add to the system as your needs change or your budget allows. A pair of side panels starts at £46. String Works height-adjustable desk, from £1,334, Utility (utilitydesign.co.uk)

achievable for a retrofit shed or garden studio. You could strip an existing shed, cover it in plywood and then glue cork to it using a waterproof adhesive. A more solid structure such as single-skin blockwork can be clad in cork or wood-fibre structural cladding boards then rendered over. ● Plan ahead when working

on the main house and run an armoured electrical cable and water supply to your outbuilding to be used at a later date. Otherwise, speak to an electrician about adding or extending existing exterior electric and power points.

My home office, The Light Shed, is heated and cooled by a Dyson Hot + Cool fan.

There are also great electric underfloor heating systems that would perform brilliantly.

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 93

dragonfly woodwork

Bring extraordinary timeless beauty from the Brecon Beacons into your home.

Matthew Smith, of Dragonfly Woodwork, is a master craftsman who specialises in designing and hand making furniture. He makes timeless pieces to last generations, whilst bringing extraordinary beauty into your home. Working by commission, with your ideas, seeing your space (where the piece will go) and his artistic vision, he creates unique furniture to the highest standard, which stimulates the senses of both touch and sight. Using timber, with the occasional collaboration of glass and steel, he oscillates his skills by working with the very straight and perfect lines to the more unusual and naturally formed shapes - to superb effect.

To see a selection of Matthew’s work or to contact him to discuss a piece of furniture or how his skills may help you, please visit the website

www.dragonflywoodwork.uk

PROJECTS BUYER’S GUIDE

FOCUS ON

Dining tables Shape, style, size and whether extending or not all come into play when choosing the ideal design WORDS ANDREA MANLEY

Selecting a table that suits the way you want to use it, fits the dining area and complements the style of your home is the key to making a worthwhile investment that could become an essential part of your life for many years.

Consider practical requirements as well aesthetics from the start of your search.

Made from solid Douglas fir, this table measures H73xW90.7xL220cm and seats six. It’s finished with linseed oil to protect the wood and bring out the grain pattern. £3,230 approx, bench, £994 approx, Dinesen (dinesen.com)

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With interlocking legs and an oval shape, the solid oak Mikado dining table measures H76xW138xL267cm and seats up to 10. £2,889, DC dining chair in light grey, £239 each, Ethnicraft (ethnicraft.com)

WHICH SHAPE SUITS? Selecting the shape of your table comes down to which options fit and look better in the space, and the maximum number of diners you need to seat. Rectangular designs offer several advantages. Slim-width, trestle-style options are a good solution for narrow rooms, especially when teamed with bench seating that can be tucked out of the way underneath the tabletop when not in use. This adaptable shape can look relaxed or formal, depending on how it’s dressed, and a big or extending table can be used by several family members for different activities at the same time. It’s also a good option for open-plan rooms, where, at the right size, it can echo the proportions of the space.

A circular table allows everyone to see and hear each other easily, and if space is tight the curved edges provide room to circulate without being impeded by a sharp corner. Designs with a pedestal base offer the most leg room, allowing the maximum possible number of people to be seated in comfort without anyone having an obstruction in the way. A big circular table can make a bold, formal statement, while smaller versions can be both intimate and relaxed.

An oval design can be static or created from an extendable circular table, and this shape combines the advantages of rectangular and round forms.

Great in smaller rooms when used by two or four people, a square table can be placed against the wall or into a corner to save even more space.

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Bonaldo’s circular Circus table is available in two sizes and several finishes. This H75xD140cm version seats six and has a chrome-metal base offset by a marble-effect Calacatta polished ceramic top. £6,780, Stone Armchair, from £830 each, Go Modern (gomodern.co.uk)

PROJECTS BUYER’S GUIDE

THE QUESTION OF SIZE When it comes to dimensions, it’s important to allow sufficient clear floor area around the table for ease of movement and enough space between diners for comfort. ‘Factor in room to allow chairs to slide out and for people to walk behind those seated. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to allow 100cm clearance on all sides of the table so nobody feels squeezed in,’ says Rachel Galbraith, creative director at Ercol (ercol.com).

In terms of elbow room, allow each person to have at least 60cm of space and, to avoid squashed knees, don’t forget the height. ‘Our tables are around 74cm high, and I suggest a distance of about 30cm between the seat of a chair and the tabletop,’ says Elena Paparozzi, furniture buyer at Heal’s (heals.com).

Extending to 267cm via a smooth butterfly action, the Kingston table has an oval-shaped lacquered top and tapered steel legs. It measures H74.5xW100x L197cm and seats up to ten. £1,199, Princeton dining chair, from £369, BoConcept (boconcept.com)

‘As a rule of thumb, allow 100cm clearance on all sides of the table so nobody feels squeezed in’ RACHEL GALBRAITH, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, ERCOL

CATERING FOR A CROWD While you need to ensure your table fits the space you have when fully extended, it’s also well worth taking into account the means by which it extends. Some designs include a separate piece that needs to be stored somewhere when not in use and certain methods may be easier for you to manoeuvre than others. If possible, it’s worth trying out different types in store before you buy.

A butterfly extension is a hidden, foldable leaf that lifts into place in the centre of the table when the tabletops on either side are pulled apart. It’s a quick, easy way to seat more people. Rectangular designs come with the option of two extension pieces for maximum seating flexibility. A rotating extending mechanism, which turns the tabletop in a smooth, continuous movement to reveal two hidden leaves at either end, is an option for glass and ceramic tables.

LEFT The Massa dining table extends to 220cm in a swivel motion, measures H75xW100xL160cm and seats up to eight.

The bronze ceramic top has a subtle veined pattern running through it and the legs are walnut veneer. £2,699, Austen brown leather chair, £459 each, Heal’s MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 97

PROJECTS BUYER’S GUIDE

Fritz Hansen’s Analog design seats six and has ergonomic curves, a white laminate table top and solid oak legs. It measures H72x W105xL185cm. £1,534, Ant dining chair, £266 each, Chaplins (chaplins.co.uk)

A COMPLETE ONE-OFF Advice on how to commission a bespoke table design from Sharon Lillywhite, co-founder of Oliver Burns (oliverburns.com) ● Commissioning begins

with you setting down your requirements in a clear and detailed brief. Creating a sketch or Pinterest board can be effective ways to communicate your vision. ● Design and production

require very different skills.

If you’re not confident in creating a final blueprint, start by finding a designer.

If you’re already working with an interior designer, they may be able to conceptualise the piece or recommend a specialist furniture designer for the job.

They may also be able to suggest craftspeople/makers. ● Working closely alongside

the maker, you can detail every aspect, from the materials through to colour and style.

It is also worth selecting a craftsperson who is a specialist in your chosen material, whether that be wood or metal, for instance. ● Have a discussion about

STYLE AND SUBSTANCE Matters of affordability, durability and style will influence whether you choose a table made from solid wood, wood veneer, glass, laminate, ceramic, metal or a combination of materials.

Solid wood is expensive but durable, and a waxed, oil or lacquer finish will protect the surface from spills and scratches. Wood veneer is a thin layer of timber bonded to a composite base material, which tends to make the design more stable and lightweight than a solid version. Heal’s has solid oak tables starting at £679 for the Brunel design.

Ceramic tabletops are scratchproof, UV and heat resistant, and come in a choice of finishes, including coloured and stone effects. ‘Ceramic is non-porous, so spills can be wiped away without leaving marks. It’s more hardwearing than stones such as marble, but it has the same luxury look,’ says Elena Paparozzi at Heal’s. Prices start from around £1,200.

Glass tops can be clear, frosted or tinted.

They’re relatively inexpensive and can give a sense of openness. While easy to wipe down, they’re more prone to scratching than wood or ceramic. Expect to pay from £500.

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cost at the earliest stage, at which point it’s common to agree a staged payment process. Before work starts, make sure you see and are happy with the material samples, renderings or drawings to get a sense of the finished piece. ● Sign-off is the stage

when any alterations to the table need to be raised, as it is costly to make changes beyond this point. ● Part of the joy of a one-off

piece of furniture is being able to see your design come to life and be part of the journey. Visit the workshop to get an insight into the process.

ABOVE The narrow Trafalgar table measures H75xW90xL180cm and seats six. Its whitewashed solid oak top is FSC-certified and paired with a white powder-coated steel frame. £1,790, bench, from £450, Rust Collections (rustcollections.co.uk)

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KITCHENS &

BATHROOMS

Armstrong bridge mixer with pull-down rinse and retractable hand spray. £935.40, Perrin & Rowe (perrinandrowe.co.uk).

For more taps and sinks turn to page 111

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KITCHEN UPGRADE One-piece wonder The new Professional 3.0 cooktop extractor from Bora is a modular system with a range of hob options to choose from, including induction, gas and Tepan stainless-steel grill, along with a quiet extraction fan.

Twist or tap the central LED display control knobs to select different functions, and the extraction level automatically adjusts to match what’s cooking. From around £7,200. (bora.com)

A perfect pairing In 2019, London design studio Pearson Lloyd (pearsonlloyd.com) teamed up with Danish furniture brand Takt (taktcph.com) to create the flat-pack Cross Chair, made using sustainable plywood and oak. Now they’ve introduced the stackable, steel Cross Chair Tube, from £299, which comes in three ply finishes – natural oak, smoked oak or black – with an organic aniline leather or natural wool seat pad.

Go bold Handmade in Portugal, Casa Cubista’s traditional glazed terracotta tableware has been given a distinctly modern look thanks to this graphic design.

Painted by hand in black and white, the Segment series includes plates and bowls, and can also be mixed with Ray, a co-ordinating accent range in blue, tangerine and teal. Prices start from £8.5O, from Abode Living. (abodeliving.co.uk)

Flecks appeal Solid surface specialist Hi-Macs has added two terrazzo finishes, which provide a graphic contrast to the trend for dark cabinets. Choose from the industrial look of Terrazzo Grigio, far left, or the tactile, neutral shades of Terrazzo Classico, left, for a hardwearing, stainresistant and seamless finish across worksurfaces and walls. From £300 per m. (himacs.eu)

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KITCHEN UPGR ADE

Underground classic Introduced in 1933, the Coolicon shade is a British icon that has illuminated everything from factories and mills to the London Underground.

Now this handcrafted, solid-steel task light, with its durable virtuous enamel finish and vented top, is available in two sizes from home-furnishing brand Loaf. Choose from 12 colours, including Powder Pink, Sky Blue, Latte Brown (shown), Fresh Teal and Deep Yellow. Coolicon the Original 1933 shade, from £125. (loaf.com)

Cabinet talks Inspired by early 20th-century designs, the Ardingly cabinet by Neptune has been designed with flexibility in mind. Made from painted tulipwood with a darkened oak base and legs, it comes with adjustable shelves, in-door storage, and dimmable LED lighting. There is also the option of an exterior slatted lower shelf, plus interior Carrara marble surface and mirrored back.

Measuring H165xW86xD40cm, it can be finished in any of Neptune’s paint colours, including olive. Prices start from £1,635. (neptune.com)

Growing concern Liga is a British brand that offers a wide range of products made from cork, a sustainable bark that regrows after being harvested. The Cork + Pottery Earthware collection is made in Portugal, and each item of tableware is easily dismantled so that the ceramic section can be popped in the dishwasher and the cork washed by hand. Available in Cream or Storm Grey, prices start from £9 for an espresso cup. (loveliga.co.uk)

Elements Lava Stone is the latest offering from AluSplash, a manufacturer of aluminium-based splashbacks and wall panels. Featuring a dark matt finish, the seamless splashback is easy to install and fire-, steam- and water-resistant. A 900x 600mm/900x800mm panel costs from £109. (alusplash.com) 106 DECEMBER 2020 /

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WORDS PAULA WOODS

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THE TAP THAT DOES IT ALL 100°C BOILING, CHILLED AND SPARKLING WATER With a Quooker in your kitchen you always have 100ºC boiling water alongside regular hot and cold.

Add a CUBE and you will also have chilled, filtered sparkling water – all from the same tap.

When you purchase a CUBE at quooker.co.uk, installation is just £99† plus you will receive 5 CO2 cylinders FREE – the equivalent of 300 litre-bottles of sparkling water.

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PROJECTS KITCHENS

Top taps and sinks Once inconspicuously utilitarian, these kitchen mainstays are now central to a stylish scheme WORDS PAUL A WOODS

Extensive reach Taps inspired by professional kitchens make light work of laborious chores. A 360ยบ spout rotation may be all you need for filling saucepans, but there are more flexible pull-out options that cater for easy cleaning and rinsing.

This highly manoeuvrable, multi-jointed tap with pull-out spray combines ease of use and striking styling in this bespoke kitchen by Blakes London (blakeslondon.com).

Karbon single-lever bronze tap, ยฃ2,488, Kohler (kohler.co.uk)

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Energy conservation The latest eco taps conserve water and energy without affecting performance.

Water use can be kept low by methods such as a built-in flow limiter, aerator or a condensed spray.

The Talis Select swivel spout with pull-out spray has an air-enriched flow of 4.4 litres per minute at 3 bar. M51 single-lever kitchen mixer 300 Eco with pull-out spout, single-spray mode, £484, Hansgrohe (hansgrohe.co.uk)

Premium delivery

Feel the pressure

According to the Energy Saving Trust, the UK wastes £68 million a year boiling overfilled kettles. Instant hot water taps heat on demand to save energy, while four-in-one models offer filtered, still and sparkling water, so there’s no need for plastic bottles.

Propure 4 in 1 has a choice of spout options, is available in five finishes, and delivers filtered cold and 98°C hot water. From £849, Abode (abodedesigns.co.uk)

Taps made with solid brass or steel bodies are robust and durable. Ceramic disc fittings deliver the water flow smoothly and perform reliably for many years. Check before you buy that the tap is compatible with your water system.

Available in a matt black or PVD silk steel finish, the Maris Free Swivel tap is suitable for high-pressure systems. From £411, Franke (franke.com)

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PROJECTS KITCHENS

HOT TOPIC Advice on choosing a hot water tap from Jamie Blake, creative director and owner of Blakes London (blakeslondon.com) ● It’s worth spending as

much as you can and opting for a reputable brand to ensure quality and reliability. ● Not all hot water taps

Hi-tech benefits Smart-touch tap technology offers hygienic hands-free operation. There are models that can be operated by the touch of an arm, or even by foot, and designs that feature push-button operation built into the spout, as well as motion-sensor activation.

Shown here in Brushed Warm Sunset, the Essence SmartControl tap with pull-out hose and magnetic docking turns on and off at the push of a button. It has EcoJoy flow-limiting technology for a flow rate of 4 litres per minute. £608.40, Grohe (grohe.co.uk)

deliver water at 100°C, which is the ideal temperature for brewing black and herbal teas. So check before you buy if that is what you want.

Quooker (quooker.co.uk), Franke and Qettle (qettle.com) all deliver water at 100°C. ● The tank will need to

be fitted in the cabinet underneath the sink.

Depending on the brand you choose, you might lose a quarter of your cupboard space or more. The unit will also need a power supply. ● The size of the tank will

affect how much water can be dispensed in one go, so check its capacity, as this varies in different models and ranges from 2-11 litres. ● Investigate the safety

measures. All should have some form of lock or safety button that will help prevent scalding while using normal functions. Many designs also feature thermally sealed and anti-splatter spouts. ● Though fairly maintenance-

free, you will need to invest in a limescale-control unit or be prepared to remove residue from time to time. ● The filters will also need

changing at regular intervals.

This may depend on water usage, and some taps indicate when it is necessary, but otherwise aim to do it every six to 12 months.

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Natural materials Marble is a premium choice for surfaces and sinks, bringing panache to a scheme. It is a porous stone that can mark and age over time, but that just adds to its character. Stone and fireclay ceramic sinks can be heavy and may require support. For a similar look with a lighter weight, try solid surface composites.

Tuscan Farmhouse 1,000 double sink in Arabescato with a honed finish, L996xW535xD220mm, also available with a fluted front. From £3,820, Devol (devolkitchens.co.uk)

Flawless finish

Streamlined fit

A sink moulded as part of a seamless solid surface can be formed in any number of bespoke shapes and sizes. There is also a wide range of colours and stoneeffect finishes to choose from.

Silestone is a 90 per cent natural quartz and resin composite. Integrity DUE L sink, L510xW370xD175mm, from £800, surfaces from £400 per sqm (cosentino.com)

Your choice of sink may be limited by your choice of worksurface.

The rim of drop-in, inset sinks can sit on any surface, but undermounted designs, which give a more streamlined and uncluttered look, require a solid material.

K700 undermount stainless steel sink in Brushed Cool Sunrise, L540xW440xD195mm single option, from £1,220.40, with Essence Professional tap, £655.20, Grohe

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PROJECTS KITCHENS

Safety measures Copper and brass sinks have antimicrobial properties, while non-porous quartz and solid surface materials leave nowhere for bacteria to linger and are easy to clean, and the latest coating technology confers antibacterial protection that repels microbes and stains.

Bespoke aged copper worksurface with the option of an integrated sink and drainer. Worksurface and sink, ÂŁPOA, aged brass Mayan taps, ÂŁ360, Devol

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 115

A classic combination The rich lustre of copper and brass are at the heart of this linear kitchen WORDS PAUL A WOODS PHOTOGR APHY POLLY ELTES

P R O J EC T PROFILE –

LOCATION South-west London STYLE OF PROPERTY Converted Georgian stables DURATION OF BUILD Two months SIZE 15sqm COST £38,100

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Two years after moving into their period home, Jane and Michael Reynolds, both in their fifties, wanted to improve its cramped kitchen. ‘The room is long and narrow, and the low suspended ceiling and small window only exacerbated the awkward proportions,’ says Jane.

The false ceiling was removed, the window replaced with new French doors, then they sought advice from Jasper Middleton of the kitchen company Middleton Bespoke (middleton-bespoke.co.uk).

MAGAZINE.COM

He suggested a simple layout with dedicated areas for storage, food preparation and presentation, as well as integrated appliances and natural materials. ‘Jasper understood our wish for a kitchen that worked well with the scale and architecture of the house. My only stipulation was to include a big copper sink as I thought it would look good and liked the idea of its antibacterial properties,’ says Jane.

Jasper decided not to crowd the walls with cupboards, opting for base cabinets running

PROJECTS CASE STUDY

LEFT Hand-beaten copper sink with apron front, from £900, sourced by Middleton Bespoke BELOW Traditional-style deck-mounted Ionian bridge mixer tap with crosstop handles in aged brass, £658.08, Perrin & Rowe (perrinandrowe.co.uk)

ABOVE Carrara marble worksurfaces flank the large, copper, Belfast-style sink

along either side instead. ‘The tall larder cupboards, which contain a fridge-freezer and pantry, bring a homely feel, as well as offering ample food storage space,’ he explains.

The sink area, with its Belfast-style copper sink and brass mixer tap, is opposite a new range cooker, which allows for larger pots and pans to be easily moved from one to the other.

Deep-green paint was chosen for the cabinets, reflecting the house’s Georgian heritage, along with the marble worksurfaces and the limestone floor. They also echo the colours and textures found outside the French doors on the terrace and in the mature garden.

By contrast, Jasper kept the remaining colour palette simple, with walls, ceiling, skirting and all other joinery details finished in a soft grey. ‘This creates a more cohesive, unfussy feel within the small space,’ he says.

The kitchen is far easier to work in, and Jane is delighted with her copper centrepiece. ‘Its rustic patina gets better with age and the warm tones are perfect for this scheme,’ she says.

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 117

B AT H R O O M E D I T In the right vein Inspired by the beauty of Brazilian Invisible Blue Marble, with its distinctive white background and blue-grey veining, Mandarin Stone’s large-format Arena porcelain floor and wall tiles offer a hardwearing alternative to the real thing. Replicating the texture and character of marble, the tiles are available in 100x100cm and 180x100cm sizes, and prices start from £70 per sqm. (mandarinstone.com)

Roll with it

WORDS PAULA WOOD

Made from composite stone with a matt finish, the new rolltop basins from Clearwater are available in shapes and sizes that range from compact, wall-mounted solutions for smaller spaces to double basins with industrial-inspired stainless-steel stands. From £449 for this 55cm wall-mounted rolltop with upstand. (clearwaterbaths.com)

Less is more Designed in Denmark, these minimalist metal hooks from Cox & Cox marry ergonomics with Scandinavian styling. The rounded shape makes it easy to hang towels and accessories securely, but also ensures they look smart when uncovered.

Sold as a set of three, and measuring 6x6x3cm, 4x4x3cm and 2x2x3cm, the Three Round Hooks cost £35. (coxandcox.co.uk)

Make it all your own The YOU range from Danish manufacturer Dansani allows you to design your own scheme by choosing from a wide choice of cabinets, lighting, countertops and basins. Select from one of three styles, Vintage, Urban and Classic, or mix and match as you wish. Vintage 80 vanity unit, shown in Clay, from £1,528, Daisy handles, £19.50 each, Sonate basin and countertop, £1,087. (dansani.co.uk)

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 119

Ultimate shower guide From a compact over-bath solution to a luxurious walk-in wet room, which option is best for your scheme?

WORDS PAUL A WOODS

According to a 2020 international shower survey commissioned by bathroom fittings manufacturer Grohe (grohe.co.uk), 64 per cent of UK participants prefer to take a shower and 36 per cent would like to replace their current system. Crucial to the success of any update or new room is good planning, centred around making the best use of the available space, taking installation factors into account and maximising your budget.

Design essentials No one likes to feel hemmed in when showering, so plan for sufficient space to include all the elements you want.

Draw up a plan of your room and measure carefully, then 120 DECEMBER 2020 /

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make a list of features you’d like to include – whether that’s simply an overhead shower or a more complex mix of multiple sprays, body jets, even steam.

Experimenting with various layouts should establish whether there is adequate space to include everything on your list. But to guarantee both comfort and performance, this needs to be balanced against your home’s water-heating and pressure capabilities. So seek advice from a bathroom designer, installer or architect early on. Unless the project is part of a big extension, a new-build, or in a listed property, planning permission will not usually be required. Building Regulations only apply when adding a new bathroom.

ABOVE A system with a handheld shower is a versatile option.

Meta shower with single-lever shower mixer, £5,435.76.

Single-lever basin mixer with pop-up waste, £860.76, both Dornbracht (dornbracht.com)

PROJECTS BATHROOMS

Small space solutions To shower in comfort, a shower enclosure should have a minimum 760x760mm-sized tray. Alternatively, a curved corner quadrant is a good space-saving solution in small rooms. And doors that slide or fold inwards won’t encroach on the room needed for nearby fixtures and fittings such as a basin or loo. Concealed shower valves provide unimpeded space inside the enclosure, although exposed fixtures can be cheaper and easier to install. If you are willing to forgo having a bath, a wet room will solve most shower size and access issues.

Doors that slide or fold inwards won’t encroach on the room needed for nearby fixtures and fittings An over-the-bath fitting is another option.

It can be retrofitted, but make sure that the tub is wide enough to stand in comfortably.

Shower baths such as the Eco range by Britton (brittonbathrooms.com) or Shower + Bath by Duravit (duravit.co.uk) are designed to have plenty of room for a good drenching.

ABOVE Get a neat fit in a small space with an integrated enclosure and vanity unit. Brushed-nickel frameless enclosure, W1,600xD800mm, with Corian solid surface integrated side panel on matt-white anti-slip tray, bespoke Corian vanity unit and splashback with oak base unit, from £4,500, Roman (roman-showers.com)

Closed encounters A self-contained, watertight and draught-free enclosure is less complex and costly to install than a wet room. But a similar walk-in effect can be created with a frameless design and a low-level tray – Aqata’s DS447 walk-in shower with hinged entrance panel (aqata.co.uk) and the EauZone Plus collection by Matki (matki.co.uk) are just two examples.

There is a vast range of enclosure sizes and shapes to suit almost any situation, such as square, rectangular, half-circle, quadrant and offset quadrant. ‘Door options include sliding, hinged, bi-fold, pivot, double and single,’ says Jayne Barnes, managing director at Aqata.

Most companies have corner and freestanding models, and the Clear 6 collection by Crosswater (crosswater.co.uk) also includes sliding and pivot doors for alcove settings up to 1.7m wide.

When an off-the-shelf design won’t work, try the bespoke route. ‘A made-to-measure enclosure will fit precisely into any awkward area,’ says Jayne. Drench (drenchshowers.co.uk) does metal-framed designs.

LEFT The glazed titanium steel BetteFloor is a flush-to-floor tray that allows for both seamless enclosure and wet-room solutions. Available in a huge range of sizes and colours, it costs from £678, Bette (my-bette.com) MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 121

Opening up A wet room eliminates the need for any form of surround, allowing for a generous and easy-to-clean showering space. But if the installation is to be part of a bigger bathroom, you may still want one or two fixed glass panels to prevent the rest of the room getting soaked. ‘A true wet room features a drain fitted into the floor,’ explains Yousef Mansuri, head of design at CP Hart (cphart.co.uk). Tanking the room to make the walls and floors completely waterproof is best carried out by an experienced professional.

An alternative route is to install a flush or low-level tray. Duravit’s flush-to-floor Tempano model is quick and easy to fit, and anti-slip. ‘This is important with shower floors,’ says Yousef. ‘Many steel and composite trays offer anti-slip options and, if tiling, choose a matt finish and check the product’s slip rating.’

BELOW This glass shower panel with a curved top can be fitted with or without a tray. Available in clear, pink and green, it measures W1,200xH2,200mm. £POA, Ex-t (ex-t.com)

Pressure points To keep things flowing, brassware needs to be compatible with your water system. ‘Choosing a mixer that is adapted to a low-flow system can help ensure optimum performance if you have low pressure,’ says Paul Bailey, senior category manager at Grohe UK. But if you have multiple showerheads and body jets, you’ll need plenty of water and high pressure, which can be gained by fitting a pump.

RIGHT For compact showering and steaming in one, this aluminiumframed, 2,100mm-high, sealed hammam cubicle can be fitted to a traditional-style shower tray or flush with the floor. It comes in two sizes, W1,200xD800mm and W1,400xD900mm, and a made-tomeasure option. Effegibi FitBox shower system, £POA, Karol Kut standard one-drawer unit with integrated basin, from £1,855, CP Hart 122 DECEMBER 2020 /

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A wet room will need to be professionally tanked. Flat shower rose with wall arm, from £552, and shower thermostat, from £1,322.64, in off-white, Studio Ore (studio-ore.com). Helix Black Decor 2 porcelain tiles, £45.60 per sqm, Mandarin Stone (mandarinstone.com)

PROJECTS BATHROOMS

HIGH IDEAS Loft conversion installation advice from Dean Moors, plumbing and bathroom manager at Pimlico Plumbers (pimlicoplumbers.com) ● As standard enclosures

require around 2m in height, consider bespoke options to fit an awkward eaves space.

Wet rooms aren’t always practical as waste-pipe position may make them impossible. The next best option is a slight step up into a watertight area. ● For peace of mind, I would

always advise getting any loft shower room tanked. ● Check the location of

existing water systems and drainage, and plan accordingly – ideally a drainage run of no more than 2m is recommended. ● Lofts are notorious for poor

water flow, so ensure the boiler can cope with the additional capacity and water pressure. ● If your home has a

traditional cold-water storage tank, this needs to be higher than the showerhead to create enough pressure, or you may need to fit a pump. A traditional set-up can be replaced with an unvented hot-water system, which relies on mains pressure rather than a storage tank – just make sure your mains pressure is at least 1 bar, or a pump may still be required. ● A pump can increase flow

rate to boost a mains-fed combi boiler, but options are limited – try Salamander’s CombiBoost (salamanderpumps.co.uk).

Alternatively, look into increasing the capacity of the incoming water main.

Both these options require careful consideration prior to any installation.

Where space allows, doubling up with two showers adds a sense of luxury. This enclosure features floor-to-ceiling glazing and elegant Dornbracht Tara wall-mounted showers in black. Bespoke bathrooms, from £25,000, Gunter & Co (gunterandco.com)

● Cold water, mains-fed

Indulging the senses If you already have an overhead drencher with multiple rain functions, flexible hand shower and refreshing body jets, a twin-entry or double shower, with built-in seating, adds another layer of luxury. Digital technology such as Roca’s Smart Shower (roca.com) provides intuitive control and pre-programmed settings for ease of use.

Some sophisticated set-ups incorporate personalised lighting, sound, steam and even

scent, such as the F-digital Deluxe system by Grohe, or RainTunes by Hansgrohe (hansgrohe. co.uk). Alternatively, compact steam generators such as Effe’s Touch&Steam (effe.it) can be fitted within a shower – or go all out with an all-in-one hammam cubicle.

electric showers work regardless of boiler type, as they operate like a kettle to heat the water in the unit itself. As a rule, the higher the kilowatt rating, the stronger the water flow, but this is also dependent on mains water pressure.

● Turn to p124 for a case study featuring a high-spec wet room

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 123

Black shower fittings and a fixed metal and glass panel are teamed with large-format stone tiles. Drench Frahm 1,200mm matt-black frame shower screen, £2756.40, Dornbracht Tara 300mm wall-mounted rain shower, hand shower kit and valves in matt-black finish, £3,361, CP Hart

P R O J EC T PROFILE –

LOCATION Wiltshire STYLE OF PROPERTY 17th-century rectory with 19th-century additions DURATION OF BUILD 3 months SIZE 6.6sqm COST £15,000

124 DECEMBER 2020 /

Clean lines Earthy tones of green and grey provide a beautiful backdrop in this stylish wet room WORDS PAUL A WOOD PHOTOGR APHY PAUL CR AIG

MAGAZINE.COM

PROJECTS CASE STUDY

ABOVE For ease of use, a towel rail has been strategically placed at the entrance to the showering area. RA2 heated towel rail in matt-black finish, £700, CP Hart LEFT The wall-mounted vanity features open shelves plus an integrated towel rail. Cielo Multiplo vanity in Fango finish with matt-black frame, £2,040, Eco small basin, £860, Dornbracht Tara three-piece, wall-mounted tap in matt-black finish, £1,043, CP Hart

When Diane and Richard Barker, both in their sixties, embarked on a six-month renovation of their three-storey home, their priorities centred around the refurbishment of the bathrooms. One on the first floor was destined to double up as a shower room and guest bathroom.

The couple carried out their own research before approaching Yousef Mansuri, head of design at CP Hart. ‘At the top of our list was a generous walk-in shower with high-performance fittings, but the room also had to be practical, easy to clean, and include storage,’ says Diane.

Yousef suggested creating a wet room. ‘There was space for a generous 1,970x1,000mm showering area and

‘Top of the list was a generous walk-in shower with high-performance fittings, but the room also had to be practical’ tanking the entire room provided a space-enhancing flush floor,’ says Yousef.

Integral to the design was a new stud wall for storage space and relaying concealed pipework to the overhead rain shower and handset. ‘Yousef specified each shower to be fitted with separate controls so they can be used simultaneously or one at a time, which is something we would never have thought of,’ says Diane.

The back-to-wall loo and wall-mounted vanity unit were arranged opposite the shower, enabling Yousef to take advantage of an existing stud wall to house the cistern and another storage niche. ‘We also installed electric underfloor heating in this area,’ explains Diane.

A metal-framed shower screen echoes the multi-paned casement windows in this section of the house and is teamed with black brassware. Stone tiles and a muted colour palette of green, brown and black echoes the countryside setting. ‘Richard and I particularly love the big, eye-level inset shelf in the shower area as, at certain angles, the mirror reflects the view of the trees through the window,’ says Diane.

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 125

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Stressless® offers the perfect antidote to our busy lives with a range of supremely comfortable and innovational furniture including recliners, sofas, dining and home office chairs.

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RESOURCES Holdsworth Windows is a family run business specialising in the manufacture of steel windows, doors, genuine leaded lights and glazing solutions.

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Established for well over 50 years we have designed, fabricated and installed windows, doors and glazing for a wide range of listed and historic buildings.

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We offer our customers a complete service from design consultation through to supply and installation Tel: 01608 661883 | www.holdsworthwindows.co.uk | Email: info@holdsworthwindows.co.uk Holdsworth Windows, Darlingscote Road, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire CV36 4PR

Staircase Design Consultancy 020 8980 1000

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RESOURCES

Our screens can be easily mounted vertically or horizontally onto any fixture, frame, wall, fence, gazebo or any other support.

BESPOKE DECORATIVE ARCHITECTURAL SCREENS

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Architect Designed Kit Houses to the Passivhaus & Zero Carbon Standards Turnkey build options available

Our architectural screens and leaf sculptures are made in the UK using premium quality materials.

Whether your design calls for a timber panel, coloured aluminium composite or Corten steel, we can supply whatever you need in sizes to fit.

We have a wide range of designs available and can supply mountings to fit a variety of situations, so the use of our screens is only limited by your imagination.

See our web site or call to discuss your project and see how we can bring your ideas to life.

Garden Design

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kevin@gardendesignart.co.uk www.gardendesignart.co.uk T:01992423935 M:07790978159

Does your basement require waterproofing?

Surrey Basements design and install all aspects of waterproofing to BS8102:2009 the British standard. We are CSSW surveyors and members of the Property Care Association (PCA) as a waterproofing design specialist.

All aspects of basement works considered.

www.caberhouse.co.uk 01369 701 988

contact@caberhouse.co.uk

DIY VAT RECLAIMS FOR NEW BUILDS & CONVERSIONS I offer a professional, friendly and helpful service with a very competitive fee structure. I can help you maximise the VAT refund received upon completion of your claim and with any queries you have throughout the build.

Final fee payable AFTER claim successfully refunded from HMRC. Jayne Daniel, FCCA J M Daniel Business Services Ltd 0161 763 5304 j a y n e @ v a t r e p a y m e n t s . c o. u k v a t r e p a y m e n t s . c o. u k

SURREY BASEMENTS

01483 458 648 www.surreybasements.co.uk info@surreybasements.co.uk

MAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020 129

PROFILE

MY GRAND IDEA –

Architects Rachel Coll and David Tigg designed a home to meet the accessibility needs of one young family the whole family to enjoy. The new wraparound extension includes three ground-floor bedrooms, one each for Theo, Oskar and their younger brother, Luca, while Nick and Klara’s bedroom is on the same floor in the original house with a guest bedroom upstairs. Another important part of the brief was to integrate the front and back gardens with the interior. We gave careful consideration to levelling out the plot. The front driveway was re-landscaped and Oskar and Theo’s rooms have glazed sliding doors that can be recessed into the walls for an open connection with the rear garden.

— Tell us about the extension We needed to create a space with few columns or structural walls so the footprint could be altered as needed.

The roof design was crucial to this.

— How does it play a part?

While we wanted the timber diagrid roof to be a beautiful feature in its own right, it also had to be extremely strong. The design is self-supporting over large spans so that the partition walls are non-structural and can be moved. In the future, hoists and other health equipment that the boys may require can be supported off the exposed joists. The structure also allows for a big external cantilever, which creates a covered protective canopy that forms a play area and veranda.

Tigg + Coll Architects (tiggcollarchitects.com).

Find out more about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at Duchenne UK (duchenneuk.org), and charity funding research at Harrison’s Fund (harrisonsfund.com)

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ABOVE The timber roof, which acts as a continuous canopy throughout the extension, is punctuated with roof lights LEFT A cantilevered roof overhang is angled to let in light and for the views across the garden, while limiting solar gain in the summer

WORDS HUGH METCALF PHOTOGRAPHY ANDY MATTHEWS

Why was this project so important to your clients?

Nick and Klara Taussig launched an architecture competition in 2016, when their sons Theo and Oskar were aged three and five. The boys had been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a condition that involves progressive muscle weakness and affects mobility. The aim was to create a light, spacious and barrier-free home to help with Theo and Oskar’s needs. We entered our ideas for layout and structural changes, which won us the competition and the work.

— What were the main challenges you faced?

A key issue was to figure out how to adapt a period cottage to provide level access on the ground floor for wheelchairs, as well as space for

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