Starting Again From Scratch
Ideal Home UK|January 2020
The Bennetts bought an Edwardian house that hadn’t been updated since the 1980s and gave it a new lease of life
Starting Again From Scratch
Kitchen-diner

‘Although we have a modern glass extension, we went for a traditional, Shaker-style kitchen, which we felt was more sympathetic to our home’s Edwardian past,’ says Alice.

BUY THE KEY PIECES

Cabinetry, price on request, The Shaker Kitchen Company. Kobo dining table, £1,125; Ishinomaki benches, £514.99 each, both SCP

When Alice and James Bennett started house hunting in 2016, the Brexit referendum may have helped them secure their home. ‘We turned up to the open day expecting a long queue, but we were the only viewers,’ says Alice. ‘It had 1980s decor, but the previous owner had kept it immaculate and although each room was crammed with furniture, we could see how large the rooms were.’ Impressed by the size of the property and the original features, the couple were convinced that this could be their perfect family home.

‘We made the decision to stay where we were and renovate before we moved in. It was an expensive decision, as we were paying two mortgages and money was tight, but with a new baby we didn’t want to live in a building site,’ says Alice. ‘The house had a 1990s extension and a side return, so we were able to work within the footprint. With the help of Shacklewell Architects, we built a modern rear extension and broke through to the basement, creating a new stairway access.’

Original period features were key to the renovation, as fireplaces were revealed and cornices repaired. Redoing the layout included adding en-suites to the main and guest bedrooms. ‘The kitchen-diner now flows from the living room via a glazed side-return extension with steps leading down to the basement, which has become our cinema room and utility room.’

Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Ideal Home UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Ideal Home UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA IDEAL HOME UKSe alt
Maximise Outdoor Dining Space - If your outside eating area is a little cramped, follow these tricks to make the most of what you do have
Ideal Home UK

Maximise Outdoor Dining Space - If your outside eating area is a little cramped, follow these tricks to make the most of what you do have

If your outside eating area is a little cramped, follow these tricks to make the most of what you do have. We asked a host of garden experts to share their top tips on making the most of a small space, whether you're hosting friends and family for a special occasion, relaxing at the end of the day or enjoying your morning coffee.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024
hometruths
Ideal Home UK

hometruths

KELVIN AND LIZ FLETCHER GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THEIR HOME

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2024
Fresh & delicious
Ideal Home UK

Fresh & delicious

Chicken traybake with garlic & cherry tomatoes

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024
NATURAL habitat
Ideal Home UK

NATURAL habitat

KERRY HARRIS' EAST LONDON HOME IS A LESSON IN BLURRING THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN INSIDE AND OUT

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024
"WE AREN'T traditional"
Ideal Home UK

"WE AREN'T traditional"

RACHAEL AND ALEX'S RELAXED FUNCTIONAL HOME IS A BLEND OF VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURE, MID-CENTURY MODERN AND PALM SPRINGS SHADES

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
GROWING up
Ideal Home UK

GROWING up

ARCHITECT ROB AND WIFE EMMA HAVE TRANSFORMED A 1970S HOUSE, GIVING.THEM MORE SPACE FOR THEIR FAMILY

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024
The shortlist PARASOLS
Ideal Home UK

The shortlist PARASOLS

Create a cool spot with these dazzling sunshades

time-read
1 min  |
August 2024
Weekend decorator
Ideal Home UK

Weekend decorator

CLEVER TRICKS TO MINI DECOR PROJECTS... WE ROUND UP THE SIMPLEST, QUICKEST WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE BEAUTIFUL NOW

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
The shortlist PICNICWARE
Ideal Home UK

The shortlist PICNICWARE

Everything you need for the perfect spread

time-read
1 min  |
August 2024
PLAN THE PERFECT - Outdoor living room
Ideal Home UK

PLAN THE PERFECT - Outdoor living room

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR GARDEN BY CREATING A DEDICATED SPACE FOR RELAXATION, SAY OUR EXPERTS

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2024