Who lives here?
Rebecca lives here with her husband Craig, their daughters Amelie and Autumn, Labrador Bertie and gerbils Kiki and Toto.
(Image credit: Future / Bee Homes)
Rebecca had a clear vision for her home renovation: to transform small, disconnected rooms into generous ones. kitchenDining and living space with improved flow and doors opening directly to the garden.
A place where cooking, entertaining and relaxing can all happen at the same time, without losing the 1970s character it first came into being.
(Image credit: Future / Bee Homes)
‘I wanted to create a space where friends and family could gather while having dinner,’ she says. ‘A room that feels relaxed, social and full of life.’
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Shortly after moving in, the couple encountered several unexpected problems. Unsafe electrics and plenty of DIY jobs meant plans to expand were put on hold while essential repairs were prioritized. ‘It wasn’t what we expected,’ he admits.
‘But had to stay here for five years before starting renovation Helped us understand what worked and what didn’t about the house.’
(Image credit: Future / Bee Homes)
What the couple loved about the house were the original 1970s features, including the walnut staircase and large garden. But they didn’t like the cramped layout of the floor, which felt cut off Outdoor space. ‘We had this lovely big garden, but it wasn’t connected to the house at all,’ says Rebecca.
(Image credit: Future / Bee Homes)
N Architect helped with planning, and the couple hired a local builder who kept costs down by doing most of the work himself. Overwhelmed with design decisions, Rebecca brought in interior designer Natalie Johnson. Kunj interior design.
‘Natalie made every decision feel stress-free,’ she says. ‘She helped me figure out what I really wanted and stopped me from being overwhelmed by it all.’
(Image credit: Future / Bee Homes)
Natalie’s design focuses on how the family will use their kitchen every day, so that the new room is both functional and practical. ‘The flow here works very well now and there are no clutter hot spots,’ says Rebecca.
(Image credit: Future / Bee Homes)
‘We love how Natalie used the design of the new extension to create a cozy nook. Open plan layoutWhich gives us a clear separation between the cooking and resting areas at different times of the day.’
(Image credit: Future / Bee Homes)
finish Kitchen extension Now the home is the social heart. The oven sits in the island, freeing up worktop space and allowing Rebeccah to cook while being part of the conversation.
‘When we host, friends say it’s like watching a cooking show,’ she laughs. ‘Earlier, entertainment was stressful. Now it seems easy.’
Get the look
Tanjin Forest Tile (10.7cm x 10.7cm)
Foston Solid Color Hand Woven Area Rug by Brambley Cottage
