INTO THE WOODS

USING NATURAL MATERIALS, SOPHIE AND JULIAN TITCHENER REMODELLED A 1960S UPSIDE-DOWN HOUSE, TURNING IT INTO THE PERFECT FAMILY HOME

- VICTORIA JENKINS

Kitchen

A worktop and backsplash of patinated copper plus a dark metallic plant holder add a warm glow to the black units.

BUY THE KEY PIECES

Sebastian Cox range kitchen units £40,000; Patinated copper backsplash and copper worktop, £7,395, all deVol. Black stools, £99 each, Cult

HOME NOTES

WHO LIVES HERE?

Sophie and Julian Titchener live here with children Jude, six, Rafferty Fox, four and Scout Bluebell, seven months. Sophie is a graphic designer and Julian runs a commercial refurbishment company.

THE PROPERTY

A detached 1960s five bedroom house near Bristol, with a new single-storey extension and terrace above.

The layout

The kitchen of this upside-down house was originally on the ground floor, but was moved to the lower ground courtesy of the new glass-walled extension which has created a lightfilled living area that works perfectly for the whole family.

By cleverly upending and extending their dated mid-century property near Bristol, Sophie and Julian Titchener have created a family home that blends current style with plenty of creature comforts.

WHAT PROMPTED THE MOVE?

‘We built ourselves a house and had been living in it for a year when I spotted this 1960s upside-down house online. Julian is in construction and I love design, and we were both very taken with such a unique property, so we took the plunge. Although it’s close to Bristol, it’s nestled in a secluded piece of woodland reached by a little lane.’