Living in South Kensington, with Rosie Carter
From the people who move you: Rosie Carter shares her favourite places in South Kensington
Take 5… Homes with extensions
The last few years have placed a greater importance on our living space than ever before. What was once was a place to return after a long day in the office, now serves a multitude of purposes. At points it’s been a classroom, a gym, an office, and even doubled as a restaurant. Nevertheless, not everyone left lockdown with a growing desire to pack up and move to a new space. A number of homeowners looked to make changes in their own homes. Rooms that once served their purpose were suddenly too small, too dark or poorly positioned to support new ways of living, sparking a home improvement boom.
An extension can transform your house, but they come in all different shapes and sizes. Some homeowners opt for a sympathetic addition, matching the architecture of their current home. Others make more of a statement with an eye-catching, contrasting design, marking a whole new chapter in a home’s history. Whatever the style, a successful extension will be careful not to diminish or compete with the property’s original style or charm, or be trend-led renovation that could turn into a design cliché. Creating a strong connection between the inside and outside, making the most of natural light and having a good flow from room to room are things that will never date.
Adding space is not the only benefit of an extension. It can add value too. According to our latest Housing Futures survey, people would most like to have ensuite bathrooms, a downstairs cloakroom, and a utility room in their next home. In rural areas, extensions are often about creating a buffer to the main house such as a boot room, a washroom, or a space for muddy pets – the pandemic reignited the nation’s love for a walk after all. It is important to think about what rooms a prospective buyer would want if you were to ever sell, while making the house functional for you.
So, if you’re looking for inspiration to start your own or maybe you want to buy a property with one already installed, we’ve picked five homes with extensions:
Lavington House, Brook Ashford, Kent
With an eye for style and creative thinking, the current owners have transformed Lavington House into a wonderful family home. The traditional vernacular Kentish farm house juxtaposes with the contemporary extension to provide a striking property with light and airy accommodation.
Paddock Brow, Boars Hill, Oxford
Paddock Brow is a much loved family home built by the current owners on the site of an older house. The more contemporary extension is of architectural merit and whilst currently used as an annexe is easily incorporated into the main house.
Westgate Cottage, Canterbury, Kent
To the rear of the property with natural light, this property has a glass-roofed extension with glazed bi-fold doors which open into the garden. There’s a breakfast bar for informal dining and at the far side is an ultra-modern shower room.
This Grade II listed house dating from the 16th century has a number of attic rooms on the second floor. These would be perfect to converting to accommodation or an office.
The Old Stable, Chilton, Crediton
The Old Stable is a charming unlisted stone-built barn conversion dating from the 13th century. The property is beautifully presented throughout offering attractive accommodation with a wealth of period features as well as a modern extension designed by the award winning local architect New British Design.
