No.7
Clever design solutions have opened up Julia and Maurice Goldstone’s Victorian home, increasing the functionality without an extension
SITTING ROOM
The once rarely used front sitting room has been combined with the kitchen-diner by removing walls and adding metal-framed glazing. ‘Glass was one of the last things to go in and makes a huge impact,’ says Julia.
Glazing, Euro Windows UK. Walls in Hague Blue, Farrow &Ball. Chair; footstool, both Mobelaris. Sofa, Love Your Home. Shutters, Hillarys. Pendant, Wayfair
KITCHEN
The space was completely redesigned so that the family could enjoy a lighter, brighter room with better use of space and an improved flow.
Cabinetry design; artwork, both South Place Studio. Kitchen made by DG Interiors UK. Handles, Buster + Punch. Marble worksurfaces, Granite Direct. Pendant lights, Pure White Lines. Bar stools, Cult Furniture
DINING AREA
Repurposing materials has reduced waste and lowered costs, too. ‘We installed new metalframed glass doors and reused the old ones in our garden building,’ says Maurice.
Glass doors, Euro Windows UK. Table; chairs, both West Elm
Even though no extra floor space has been added to Julia and Maurice Goldstone’s traditional Victorian terraced home, the entire house is now unrecognisable from the one they bought. ‘Previous owners had already built a rear extension, with bifold doors onto the garden, but the layout still felt all wrong,’ explains Julia. ‘Lack of storage meant that coats and shoes crowded the narrow hallway, and we hardly used the separate front sitting room. Our U-shaped kitchen at the rear cut off any natural flow, and despite having two bathrooms, there was no full-sized bath.’
Enter interior designer Tash South, owner of South Place Studio, who proposed some exciting ideas for redefining the existing layout – incorporating new roof windows and glazing to increase the feeling of spaciousness and light. ‘Our wish list included a bright, open-plan kitchen with an island, and a dining space where the table wasn’t up against the wall,’ recalls Maurice. With a 10-year-old daughter, Amelie, and cockapoo, Winnie, the design needed to be practical.
Knocking through the ground floor to create one large space was the major task, but even more challenging was replanning the layout of the existing loft, which contained a medium-sized bedroom and tiny en suite. Removing built-in wardrobes and stealing previously unused space in the eaves was the solution, making it possible to open up the main bedroom and include three rooflights for maximum light.
