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Adding a storey to their 1950s bungalow gave Charlotte and Sam the space to create their dream Art Deco-inspired home

Placing the kitchen units under skylights, and the dining table next to glazed doors, maximises daylight in the most sociable parts of the space. The kitchen is the only room that has been built on new foundations; the rest of the house follows the original bungalow’s footprint.

Kitchen, Ikea. Bar stools, B&Q. Blue sofa, Sofology. Rug, Nuloom. Radiator, Soak

Against a constant tide of new trends, a home with its own unique character is pretty special. As tempting as it is to get on board with what’s hot on Instagram – from dark blue kitchens (arguably closer to a classic these days) to boucle sofas (soft, but not red wine-friendly) – the best homes are those that reflect their inhabitants’ personalities, and are filled with treasures and knick-knacks from years of memories.

It’s the quirky, one-of-a-kind style that makes Charlotte and Sam’s home so special. They’ve transformed a cramped and dated bungalow, taking an empty shell and adding their stamp to it. Filled with theatrical flair and Charlotte’s love of Art Deco, it’s a tribute to designing a house for you, not for a trend – and Charlotte told us how they did it all.

Q Adding a new storey to a property is pretty big for a renovation. What made you decide to take it on?