The third is the house we are currently in: a 1930s semi-detached house in Gatley. It’s on a wide plot, and it has already had a two storey extension to the side, and a single storey extension to the rear. I bought it after the work had been done so we got really good value for money. The house has two reception rooms, a garage and a kitchen diner.
As an architect, I looked at loads of options because I’d love to have a living kitchen diner, but I think that would be at the expense of the second reception room; through lockdown it has been crucial to have that room as an office. So, I’m glad we never knocked through or extended.
In hindsight, an internal door between the kitchen diner and the lounge may have been effective. However, whenever you put a door internally between two spaces, you take up so much storage space on both sides of the door, so I’m glad I didn’t do this.
I look at client’s houses as if they are my own; during our Concept Design Workshop, I will always look for those options that are cheap and easy wins. I will draw out the possible options in front of you, discussing their pros and cons, honestly and objectively, in real time.
