HEAD & heart

ARCHITECT KATIE ROBINSON TOOK A MINDFUL APPROACH WHEN IT CAME TO CREATING A FAMILY HOME WITH A PASSIVE CARBON FOOTPRINTARCHITECT KATIE ROBINSON TOOK A MINDFUL APPROACH WHEN IT CAME TO CREATING A FAMILY HOME WITH A PASSIVE CARBON FOOTPRINT

-  EMMA J

As a young couple, Katie and Niall Robinson lived in London’s Hackney Downs and loved making use of the city. However, in 2016, they bought a Victorian terrace in Bristol with the idea that they would rent it out for a few years. Two years later, Katie fell pregnant and the couple were ready to make the move…

WHAT APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT THIS HOME? 
This Victorian terrace ticked all our boxes – structurally it was in decent condition; the rear had already been extended and there was potential for a loft conversion. We knew that we wanted to replace the bathroom’s dingy brown décor. We also planned two further rooms and a bathroom in the loft space, a new kitchen and a revamped living and dining room. All of these elements took time as we had to remortgage for some of the works.

HOW DID YOU MAKE YOUR MARK?
For the loft conversion, instead of opting for the typical one bedroom with en-suite configuration, we chose to create two bedrooms and add an opening between one room and the other for a truly flexible space. We are fans of soothing colours, natural textures, upcycled pieces and items that we can source direct from makers, so the interiors came together in a slow, mindful way.