CONTEMPORARY KITCHEN EXENSION
Light & bright
Rachel’s main requirements for her kitchen extension were a window overlooking the garden and space to entertain. We reveal how she made her dream a reality
Rooflight, Roofmaker. Oriel window, Maxlight. For similar folding chairs, try the Macadam from Habitat
Cabinet and drawer fronts, Milk. Induction hob, Neff. Boxed in extractor fan, Elica. Hay Sowden kettle, Huh Store. Mid-century pendant light, Frankie Goes To Thrift on Etsy
When the Covid lockdowns curtailed all normal activities, Danny and Rachel spent their time at home wishfully thinking about how to enlarge their living space with a side-return extension. Like many of us, they were desperate for something to look forward to. ‘All the usual markers of time passing – meals out, days out, holidays – had all gone,’ says Rachel. ‘Planning future changes to the house was a kind of escape mentality.’
After restrictions on leaving their safe haven, and letting tradespeople in, finally lifted, the pair started searching for architects. Rachel also began putting together creative mood boards. And the result is this colourful, contemporary space that is a joy to be in. We’ve chatted to Rachel to find out how she did it…
STEP 1
‘I sometimes felt like a maid in the old kitchen. It was separate from the dining and living area, and the view of the garden was obscured by an old extension housing the downstairs bathroom. I longed for a big space for entertaining where I could be involved.
‘We also wanted more light, so we planned to knock down the bathroom extension and add a glazed door, skylights and an oriel window. We needed a better sense of flow through the house, rather than being funnelled down dark corridors into a galley kitchen.
‘With the bathrooms, kitchen and bedrooms all affected by the build, staying put wasn’t an option, so we rented a house nearby to live in for eight months.’
STEP 2
‘Local architect Heidi Wakefield drew up the plans and project managed the build. We were really impressed by her practical approach. She didn’t promise us the world and was realistic about the budget. She listened carefully and understood what we wanted – it felt very collaborative.
‘We have a beautiful cherry tree in our garden that produces the most delicious fruit. Chopping it down would have made the build easier, so its roots wo
