![A CLEAR Winner](https://cdn.magzter.com/1387258463/1712059787/articles/HD1BU89bG1712146572428/A-CLEAR-WINNER.jpg)
Marina and Tim had lived in their home for 11 years before they started renovating in 2021. They had always planned to make changes but when they first moved in, they had a two-year-old plus a baby on the way, so the timing wasn’t right. ‘We had been looking for a house which would work for us for a while,’ explains Marina. ‘This one had the basics, but we wanted to wait for the kids to grow a little before starting.’
But when they got around to sorting their finances and engaging an architect, lockdown happened and the building work had to be put on hold.
FINDING A VISION
The couple’s plan was to create a larger kitchen-diner by incorporating the space taken up by the old conservatory. They also wanted to have an extra bedroom plus a new family bathroom, and to redo the leaky loft conversion to create an impressive main bedroom suite.
‘In all honesty, Tim and I are not very good at visualising what we want in a home,’ says Marina. ‘But we do know what we don’t like. We were lucky to find architect Dan Gibbons of APE Architecture & Design (ape-ad.co.uk) who went above and beyond for us.’
Dan started by asking the couple questions which forced them to think more clearly about how their home should look and feel. ‘If you’d asked me years ago how I imagined our style, I think it would have been quite traditional,’ says Marina. ‘But we were surprised to be so drawn to modern designs. In particular, we wanted something a little different for our conservatory, with contemporary windows and skylights.’
MAKING MOVES
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Denne historien er fra May 2024-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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![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](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5143/1751377/NMvEIjIDz1720444420910/crp_outdoor-space-diningspace-outside-eating-area-small-space-decorationoutdoor-furniture-home-decoration-fashion.jpg)
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.
![hometruths](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5143/1751377/DYHFTmV7L1720445213696/HOMETRUTHS.jpg)
hometruths
KELVIN AND LIZ FLETCHER GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THEIR HOME
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Fresh & delicious
Chicken traybake with garlic & cherry tomatoes
![NATURAL habitat](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5143/1751377/k4OwndgV51720443955466/NATURAL-HABITAT.jpg)
NATURAL habitat
KERRY HARRIS' EAST LONDON HOME IS A LESSON IN BLURRING THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN INSIDE AND OUT
!["WE AREN'T traditional"](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5143/1751377/dD-LgQy4A1720443422014/WE-ARENT-TRADITIONAL.jpg)
"WE AREN'T traditional"
RACHAEL AND ALEX'S RELAXED FUNCTIONAL HOME IS A BLEND OF VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURE, MID-CENTURY MODERN AND PALM SPRINGS SHADES
![GROWING up](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5143/1751377/cZRuGQqiL1720442878354/GROWING-UP.jpg)
GROWING up
ARCHITECT ROB AND WIFE EMMA HAVE TRANSFORMED A 1970S HOUSE, GIVING.THEM MORE SPACE FOR THEIR FAMILY
![The shortlist PARASOLS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5143/1751377/nfatwxF2_1720442507373/THE-SHORTLIST-PARASOLS.jpg)
The shortlist PARASOLS
Create a cool spot with these dazzling sunshades
![Weekend decorator](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5143/1751377/cYqd47NlT1720441910027/WEEKEND-DECORATOR.jpg)
Weekend decorator
CLEVER TRICKS TO MINI DECOR PROJECTS... WE ROUND UP THE SIMPLEST, QUICKEST WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE BEAUTIFUL NOW
![The shortlist PICNICWARE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5143/1751377/KADL2DmEG1720441665060/THE-SHORTLIST-PICNICWARE.jpg)
The shortlist PICNICWARE
Everything you need for the perfect spread
![PLAN THE PERFECT - Outdoor living room](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5143/1751377/qlteubmCj1720441064913/PLAN-THE-PERFECT-OUTDOOR-LIVING-ROOM.jpg)
PLAN THE PERFECT - Outdoor living room
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR GARDEN BY CREATING A DEDICATED SPACE FOR RELAXATION, SAY OUR EXPERTS