For some homeowners, their extension is primarily about the practicalities. However, for others, it’s an excuse to capture their perfect aesthetic - to bring a little bit of beauty into their household. This was certainly the case for this home, where our designers set out to create a modern and stylish space for a homeowner looking for a kitchen that’s way, way, way out of the box.

Getting the perfect fit

With a large property at hand in the green fields of Surrey, our first challenge was working out the best way to incorporate the extension into the existing building. Rather than sacrifice any of that lush green space, we opted for a clever wraparound extension. This addition would primarily sit to the side of the property, located against the garage and coming around the back of the house to square away the design and provide space for a tucked away dining space. This use of previously dead space means the whole rear facade looks much more symmetrical.

Style and substance

In their briefing for this project, the homeowner was keen to bring in both natural light and texture into the space, specifically, they wanted to feature gorgeous cedar wood throughout. Timber has been a popular building material since the dawn of time, and this doesn’t seem to be changing. In modern times, the rise of Scandinavian inspired interior design has pushed this material to the forefront and was certainly an aesthetic our designers were heavily influenced by. We envisioned contrasting light and texture tones with pristine white walls, which helps reflect the natural light from the glazing and keeps the space as bright as possible.

Plenty of glazing

Alongside plenty of timber detailing, this homeowner wanted to make sure the glazing really stood out. To create this WOW factor, we first mapped out how the space will be used. This meant plenty of glazing around the dining areas to help showcase the beautiful Surrey countryside, along with a window seat nestled next to the dining room, for a spot of calm on quiet days. For privacy, we kept the windows near the appliances to a long strip, running along the top of the space, to prevent next door from peeping in on any kitchen disco sessions, but also included skylights so key cooking areas will still remain bright.

Then came the final showstopper. To the rear of the extension, we brought together bi-fold doors and a stunning pitched piece of glass, which mirrors the shape of the extension itself and the main building. The overall effect is a top to bottom visual experience, whereby both the house and the natural environment shine together.