Out & About April 2017

When architect Kate Cooper was asked to transform a small former lodge into a cosy, but up-to-date family home, she took up the challenge with relish as MARGARET MCDONNELL discovered Making a House a

After

D erelict late-Victorian houses with broken fireplaces, sparking sockets and a utility door where the front entrance should be pose no problem for Kate Cooper from Absolute Architecture, Newbury. The architect recently helped a West Berkshire family renovate a two-bedroom former lodge house, built in 1910. Kate worked with the family on a year-long journey to sympathetically and comprehensive- ly renovate the property. From humble begin- nings with a tired façade and unconventional layout, it is now a 21st-century home. Kate’s first job was to assist with a planning application that would allow the owners to extend. She then started work on a seamless extension to include a larger kitchen with utility room and dining area, and a third bedroom with en-suite. “The property was quite run-down and needed a complete refurbishment,” said Kate. “It was cramped with lots of small rooms so we opened it out, added an extension and worked on extensive landscaping, a large patio and a pond to enable the family to enjoy the outdoor space as much as possible. “However, it had real character, which we’ve worked hard to retain and enhance, and there are some beautiful features that have been unveiled, such as exposed rafters in the bed- rooms, which had to be removed and replaced so we could paint them and install the huge lantern lights”. Removing the ceilings in the master bedroom created an amazing transformation, leaving behind a dramatic vaulted space. Kate also reconfigured the area to include the en-suite bathroom. Kate introduced local designers and craftsmen to the team including Ben Heath Kitchens, LT interiors and Isobel Pigott landscape design, so that all aspects of the project were fully designed and bespoke. The exteriors have been carefully renovated and softened with a more subtle Farrow and Ball colour-scheme of grey and white. Kate enjoyed designing all of the interior detail to meet specific requirements for built-in stor- age, an Aga, and a raised wood burner. Kate herself is delighted with the results and even personally shopped for the family kettle, tea towels and crockery to complete the kitchen. She said: “The extension ties in with the origi- nal character of the cottage and the kitchen is a real triumph – it’s just unrecognisable from what was there before.

Before

“We chose simple Shaker-style units in soft white and the highlights of the room include a striking black and white tiled floor and a bespoke pendant light which has been powder-coated the same colour as the Aga. “The colour and interest comes from the bright Manuel Canovas fabric picked out for the dining room chairs and everything else is simple and elegant. The owners didn’t want the room to feel too new and slick, so we added ceiling beams to give it character and texture.” French windows have been put in, leading onto the outdoor terrace and the new bay window provides light and extra seating plus views of a newly-planted wildflower meadow and natural ponds. The owner, Leslie, added: “We needed someone with great references and contacts to take on such a huge project and Kate gave us the confidence and vision to achieve our dream home. She did a lovely job. You can hardly believe the transformation. “Every small detail has been thoroughly thought through and it’s a truly relaxing hideaway for our family. I feel like I am enveloped by a warm hug when I am here. When I’m away for a while, I come here to escape everything and breathe a sigh of happiness when I walk through the door.” For more information, click onto www.absolute architecture.co.uk

Garden

Kitchen

Lounge

Bedrooms

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