The mindful home

Hannah and Nelson Beaumont-Laurencia put together their home with longevity and sustainability in mind

- ALI HEATH, VANESSA RICHMOND

Living area

‘The fireplace was built with reclaimed bricks,’ says Hannah, ‘and much of the furniture is second-hand, too, including our Natuzzi sofa.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES

Wood burner, £1,800, Hunter Stoves. Floor lamp, £60, Levenshulme Antiques. For a second-hand coffee table, try Gumtree

When the Beaumont-Laurencias first saw the property, it was divided into three rental flats. ‘We had to strip it back to its bare bones,’ says Hannah. ‘It was in such a bad state. But it had a driveway at the side, which meant it had potential for extending. Having renovated a Victorian terrace in Manchester, we sold that, complete with contents. The only things we brought with us were the dining table and our four-poster bed. ‘We sketched designs for an extension and worked with an architect to draw up plans.’ Partition walls were removed and everywhere was reboarded and replastered. They then embarked on a two-floor extension, which blends into the original dining and living areas, with full-height glass doors across the rear, concrete floors and a handmade kitchen. ‘The fireplace, originally set against the former outside wall, was moved to a dividing wall so it can be seen from the living room and kitchen,’ says Hannah. ‘The space gets lots of light and it has become a somewhere we can think and breathe. It is incredibly energizing.’ Upstairs, a new master suite was created. ‘It took sheer determination and focus to get us through the build,’ says Hannah.