‘We lowered the floor to link to the garden'

A desire to make the most of their garden prompted James Whyte and Tina Reiss to build this sleek extension

- REBECCA FOSTER

Though James Whyte and Tina Reiss had always loved the innate historic charm of their Victorian home, it needed work. ‘We knew when we bought the house that it needed a massive overhaul,’ says James. ‘It was delightful in its bones with lovely big rooms, but it was a bit old and ramshackle.’ The house provided plenty of space for the family of four but was disconnected from the garden, which was positioned half a storey lower than the main living area.

ALL CHANGE ‘We wanted to create a large, open-plan kitchen with a spacious workbench the family could congregate around,’ says James. A seamless connection with the garden was also at the top of the wish list. The couple appointed Spencer Guy from Levitate Architects to handle the design. ‘Spencer had renovated a house for one of our friends,’ says James. ‘He quickly proposed an idea we liked, so it was a case of fine-tuning that until we pinned down all the details.’

Welcome to our home

James Whyte, a barrister, lives here with his partner Tina Reiss, a legal professional, and their two sons, Max, 12, and Joel, 10

THE PROPERTY

A five-bedroom Victorian linked terrace house in North London

THE VALUE

Bought in 2011 for £850,000; now worth around £2million

WHAT IT COST

Professional fees....................£92,175

Contractors and materials.........£712,045

Kitchen/joinery...£81,235