Some projects don’t require an extension to completely revitalise a family home, and create new valued living spaces that feel vibrant and contemporary.

This project in St James, Walthamstow, maintained the footprint and structural principles of the existing terraced house, whilst creating a large new light and contemporary kitchen-dining space connecting to the garden.

The tight budget was invested in a few key elements to maximise the quality of living space - windows, worktop and window seat. Finishes are carefully chosen to create a warm, tactile and individual feel to the space, using natural and recycled materials, with characterful textures and patterns, including terracotta lampshades by Fettle Studio.

“We love our kitchen. It’s made a big difference to our lives. Someone popped over to deliver something at the weekend and just said “Wow this house is amazing!”. We completely agree and it’s all thanks to Lydia“

The catalyst for the refurbishment was the clients’ desire to replace their existing boiler with an Air Source Heat Pump, providing a clean sustainable way to heat their home without gas or reliance on the Grid. A planning application by Fettle Studio was approved in September 2021 to install the ASHP unit in a more discrete location in the garden.

The design for this project was tested and explained through a combination of model-making, collaged visuals and physical material samples. The layout merged the redundant spare room in the middle of the plan with the existing kitchen at the rear, which was dark and enclosed. New large windows were proposed to engage with the garden, surrounded by natural timber frames, shelving and window seat. The scheme also inserts a larder and cloaks cupboard in the depth of the plan, behind the new kitchen.

“Every aspect of Lydia’s work with us on our home renovation was superb. First of all, she took the time to really understand what was important to us. She then combined that knowledge with her own skill, taste and creativity to deliver design options that far exceeded what we could have imagined. Finally, she honed the chosen design down to the tiniest detail and helped us with every practicality, from planning applications to building tender, specification and site visits. We absolutely love the final result and will always be thankful to Lydia for creating this. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”
Sam & Sarah