Change for good

A last-minute decision to build a kitchen extension instead of a general update turned out to be a wise move for the owners of this detached period property

-  Ifeoluwa Adedeji

For Krystelle Floyd-Wass and Edward Floyd, updating their run-down modern property proved a real challenge. Their dilemmas included deciding what to keep and what to remove, but luckily, Krystelle had formed a clear priority to create a sympathetic connection between the new extension and the original building and in doing so, create a spacious kitchen at the rear.

"We found our architect Helen Yeadon through friends," says Krystelle. "She was able to help us sketch out ideas and suggestions for the various houses we viewed before deciding on this one. This way, we knew what we could do with certain spaces and see whether the properties were viable for renovation. She lives nearby, so she was able to project manage the build, which was a godsend as we lived over two hours away in Buckinghamshire at the time." Helen had worked with the builder the couple used on a previous project, and she also introduced them to bespoke interior designers, PAD, who installed the kitchen.

"Part of my brief for the kitchen was that we needed somewhere that could house my collection of more than 100 cookery books-the aim is to eventually build a shelving/ seating area for them in a recess we created," says Krystelle.

POOR STATE OF REPAIR