Real home: a Modernist kitchen extension

published 20 December 2018

Key Facts

The owners: Mike Finegan, a company director, and wife Helena, a librarian, live here with their youngest son Fionn, a student

The property: A five-bedroom detached house built in 1986 in Rathfarnham, Dublin

Costs

Building costs, including professional fees: £155,000

Total: £204,000

Mike and Helena Finegan decided to extend and reorientate the back of their property to maximise the light, make the most of the view, and to create an energy-efficient, contemporary kitchen extension.

Having gathered enough information, the couple presented a brief to six architects selected on the basis of their award-winning designs. ‘Each architect responded, but Garbhan Doran really understood what we wanted and met all our requirements,’ says Mike.

As the additional area of the kitchen extension was less than 40 square metres, it could be completed under permitted development rights. The foundations were excavated, the floor level lowered at the rear of the house, and the new kitchen extension built up incorporating steel supports and a huge amount of insulation.

See what the final result was, then check out more real home transformations and find out all you need to know about extending a house in our guide.

architectural kitchen extension before exterior — *The original kitchen-diner was awkwardly placed in a dark lean-to at the back*

architectural kitchen extension owner — *Bespoke iroko windows by Joseph McEnroe Joinery flood the new kitchen with light. A bench seat, also by Joseph McEnroe, adds a change of level, with pendant lamps from* *Hicken Lighting* *above. The stone tile flooring from Antica creates a cool, modern feel, with underfloor heating supplied by* *Green-House*

architectural kitchen extension quooker tap and worktops — *Silestone worktops from* *Miller Brothers* *contrast perfectly with the white gloss* *Snaidero cabinets, supplied by* *Welchome. Boiling water tap,* *Quooker*

architectural kitchen extension kitchen island with bar stools — *The central island, with bar stools from* *Ikea, provides a spot for casual dining, while for more formal occasions, the couple use their existing table and chairs*

open plan living kitchen and dining area in an architectural kitchen extension — *The seating area is positioned to overlook the garden through the oversized sliding doors. For a similar corner sofa, try* *Sofa.com*

wine rack in an architectural kitchen extension — *Additional storage, including a cupboard-top wine rack, and a second utility sink prove handy. For a similar lime green toaster, try* *Sabichi*

built in floor to ceiling larder and built in miele appliances in an architectural kitchen extension — *Sleek floor-to-ceiling Snaidero cupboards have been fitted with ovens by* *Miele* *as well as a built-in larder*

smart storage in an architectural kitchen extension — *Smart, low level storage has been built into the units to keep worktops clear of clutter*

alfresco dining area outside the architectural kitchen extension — *A bright and modern alfresco dining area sits just outside of the oversized sliding doors*

More real home transformations:

Penny is an established interiors stylist and writer. She is also the founder of ChiqueChaque, a company specialising in Swarovski jewellery and lighting design.