Making the decision to hire an architect is often a case of weighing up the pros and cons. On the one hand, it’s an additional expense. On the other hand, if you choose well, you’ll receive guidance on everything from planning restrictions to layout and design, all while taking your own ideas into account. The end result will be a functional, fluid space that works perfectly for your lifestyle.
That’s exactly what Vanessa and Paul found when they hired Paula of Butterfield Architecture to help them design an extension to their Edwardian semi. With a background in design, Vanessa had plenty of ideas for how the space should look, but Paula’s skills were invaluable in making the space work for them and dreaming up solutions the couple had never thought of themselves. As a result, the family have a stunning, sociable kitchen-diner stamped with their unique take on an industrial scheme. Below, Vanessa explains how they created this wonderful space and don’t regret hiring an architect, one bit.
A radical change
(Image credit: Vanessa Stevens)
Profile
The owners Vanessa Stevens, a textile designer, her husband, Paul, a finance business partner, and their son, Lewis
The property A three-bed Edwardian semi near Manchester
Project cost £70,000
‘This house was owned previously by two 85-year-old brothers, who’d lived here all their lives,’ says Vanessa. ‘When we moved in, the kitchen was poky, with a small pantry and an outside coal bunker. Our main aim was to make the space more family-friendly; we wanted a sociable kitchen-diner. We live in a very green area and we wanted to take advantage of that by bringing it in through the back of the property.
‘As there weren’t any particularly interesting features at the rear of the house, we thought it’d be nice to do something completely radical with an extension. Architect Paula Butterfield is local to us; we loved her designs, so we hired her to work with us.’
Professional input
(Image credit: Katie Lee)
‘I’ve always liked wood clapperboard-style extensions and thought it would work well as a mixed-media look along with traditional brickwork and metal door frames. We also knew we wanted Crittall windows and doors in the space. We rented while the work was done – I’ve experienced the dust and dirt that comes with a renovation in the past, so I knew to stay away!
‘Paula’s input in terms of layout was invaluable. We wanted an island, but a chimney stack in the corner took a decent chunk off the back of the wall and made it difficult to run units along. Paula moved the door on the back wall and took the chimney stack out to create the layout we wanted.’
Long-lasting style
(Image credit: Katie Lee)
‘Back in 2016, the industrial look was just coming through. It was all about dark kitchen units, glass, rattan and metro tiles. It had quite a fresh new feel, and we ended up going down that route for the kitchen. It contrasts with the rest of the house. If I was braver at the time, I might have exposed the beams, but I thought it might be too industrial for an Edwardian home.
‘The style has had longevity, to be honest. Friends who are remodelling their kitchens now will come and say, “Oh, we’re looking at flooring like that” or point out the units. In a way, it’s a bit of a blank canvas – the fixtures and fittings have changed, with more brass and gold than there was at the time.’
Design decisions
(Image credit: Katie Lee)
‘For the garden, we went for as many tropical plants as we could get away with in Manchester. The wallpaper, which we chose later, ties in with it. Working in design and fashion, you constantly see trends change. I’d seen and liked this paper for a while, though, and I figured that as I hadn’t got sick of it yet, it was a good sign!
‘There’s always been a bit of a battle of the wills – with Paul being a finance business partner, I’d often have my designer budget reined in by the purse strings. If we could, I’d have created as big a utility room as possible. The one we have is adequate, but I sometimes wish it was three times bigger to fit everything in.’
Outdoor connection
Wallpaper, Lucy Tiffney (opens in new tab). Armchair, John Lewis & Partners (opens in new tab)
(Image credit: Katie Lee)
‘My favourite part of the space is definitely the doors. When we came to designing the garden afterwards, I was really glad we’d raised the deck level to be flush with the floor – I love the way it flows seamlessly between the spaces. It’s lovely sitting at the table with the doors wide open. The sun hits the floor and creates all sorts of reflections and shadows.
‘This is such a sociable space; the connection to the garden makes it feel like an extension to the kitchen. It suits the way we live now to a tee. In the winter, we’ll hibernate at the front of the house – but come summer, the garden becomes our lounge and we live in the kitchen-diner.’
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