Dream family home kitchen extension to detached Edwardian villa in Boscombe East

‘I’m doing it my way I’m afraid!’ – Client

 

Recently, Pride Rd Architects were invited to a detached Edwardian 6 Bedroom house to discuss potential renovation and new layout improvements, during one of our workshops. The property revels in a short 10 minute walk to the sea and benefits from a large garden and lots of original features to enjoy.

 

Addressing several house problems

The kitchen was dark, the couple couldn’t see the garden, and there was no view to the front.

However the kitchen units were lovely, they felt bad about taking it out – people said it was the dream kitchen but she always had the vision that it could be improved and the units ended up being re-used in the new utility.

There was no island seating, the oven had a false mantle around it but there was no where to put anything either side. The layout was not thought through.

It was only having lived in it that they realised they needed the lights on all year round, even in august.

There was no flow, it was hard to use, the dining table was in front of the window and the kitchen wasn’t in proportion to the rest of the house. It didn’t make the most of the garden.

The Workshop Process

Initially she was thinking of putting sliding doors on the end of the kitchen and build a utility room on the side.

I suggested at their concept design workshop that they go out to the side, which they hadn’t thought about at all.

I said they would spend all their money on a Utilty room that no-one ever sees, and would spend all their time in the kitchen. It still wouldn’t solve the problem of light.

Initially they hadn’t seen it as a renovation project, when looking at the house it all looked great. But once living in it they could see the problems with light and using the kitchen as a family space.

The result

A side extension created a large kitchen dining space with a beautiful designer kitchen, new view to the front, oriel window and sliding doors to the garden.

 

How has the project changed family life

‘You don’t realise what you have put up with until it is amazing!’

The family sits at 5 seats round an island which is constantly used for casual dining space and yet there is still a dedicated dining space.

Previously they were eating in the kitchen. Husband wanted separate dining room. Now they have a dining area – it feels like a dining room but is linked to the kitchen, they can do dinner parties on the table with drinks on the island.

Entertaining is now easy to do – they have the space and can keep it all organised.

‘It feels really natural – it feels part of the house, it feels like its always been here. People don’t expect us to have gone to the side. The use of the garden will be a game changer in the summer, the kids can go in and out.’

They were up against a bad orientation but the new kitchen window brings the sun in, so the whole space feels light.

‘I would definitely recommend using an architect. It would have been a utility room on the side, had you not suggested doing things differently. I can imagine the interior but I can’t work out the bones of it – so employ an architect for sure. ‘

L056

Estimated Cost 80 000

‘We are really proud of it - we have invited people that we have only known a week back for dinner!’
Loren and Mike

We are really proud of it

I am particularly delighted with the oriel window seat and how the rear elevation turned out

‘This project was wonderful because the client has a passion for good design. They bought in to the vision and put in many hours sourcing fixtures and fittings. I am particularly delighted with the oriel window seat and how the rear elevation turned out with extra detailing around the window of slightly protruding glazed engineering bricks' - Laura
Pride Road

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