Lean on Me

A stylish Victorian, town-centre semi in Suffolk; they all look the same from the front don’t they? Neat, very cool industrial era frontage – we always feel intrigued about what the owners have done to the inside of properties like this.

Like so many other projects, this was a family home in a property oozing style but lacking functional family space. The long L-shaped sections of kitchen often attributed to this kind of house did not make itself family friendly. The simple answer; make the kitchen wider but don’t cut out the light to the centre of the house.

The kitchen/diner extension (which also now acts as a lead through to a further extension) has been given an airy courtyard feel by the inclusion of a lean-to. Three large sections of glass abut the original walls, leaning down neatly into a wide door with upright glazing either size. Finished on both sides in a dark anthracite which neatly ties in with the original style lead-work used around the windows.

The result is a ‘architectural feel’ allowing the Victorian brickwork to remain a key feature in the kitchen which is well juxtaposed with a modern shaker kitchen. The original float glass window to the dining room has been retained, adding contrast and retaining character.

Complimenting the lean-to, the owners have added new windows to the rear of the kitchen and to the first floor including sleek profiles and a white finish to the interior and a matching anthracite finish to the exterior.