Real home: a stylish loft conversion and side return extension to a terraced family home

published 3 January 2019

Fact file

The owners: Fi Duke, a renovation project manager and interior designer, and Paul Briggs, a recruitment director, live here with children Sophie, 12, and Tom, 10

The property: A five-bedroom Victorian terraced house in Chelmsford, Essex

Project cost: £108,000

When Fi Duke and husband Paul Briggs bought their three-bedroom Victorian home in Chelmsford around eight years ago, their daughter Sophie was four and son Tom was two, and they could see that they would possibly outgrow the property. However, it was the potential to extend the house out to the side and convert the roof space that sold it to them. ‘I could see straightaway that it had tons of potential,’ recalls Fi, ‘and it’s kind of grown with our family.’

Find out what happened next, then check out more real home transformations and find out more about extending a house in our guide.

Victorian terraced home with side return extension — *An architectural-style garden door, made bespoke by Trustwood Joinery to Fi’s own design, works well in a period property*

As they couldn’t afford to do everything at once, the couple started with the most pressing renovations, before gradually working their way through the house as their budget allowed. First on the list was a new roof, and replacing the old windows with better-insulated sash windows.

Victorian terraced home dark grey hallway — *Fi replaced lino with mosaic floor tiles more in keeping with the house. For similar, try Victorian tiles by Original Style. Door sign, Battlesbridge Antiques*

As the family had discovered problems with the plumbing, next to be tackled was the bathroom. ‘We pulled everything out and started again with white Victorian-style sanitaryware in keeping with the house.’

Victorian terraced home living room dark grey walls yellow sofa — Fi found her calling for interior design while renovating the ground-floor spaces of her home, choosing statement lighting against a dark grey backdrop. Wall painted in Madison Grey; Palm ‘hairy’ light shade, both Abigail Ahern. For a similar olive green sofa, try the Fargo from BoConcept. Radius coffee table, Habitat. Alhede rug and Stave mirror, Ikea. Green Mongolian faux-fur cushion, Wilko. Fiat cushion, TK Maxx

A year in, with planning permission secured, work then began on the kitchen. ‘The old space was quite small and had a door leading out onto the classic Victorian side return,’ says Fi. ‘So we extended out into this area to create a much larger open-plan kitchen/dining/entertaining space.’ Using a local architect to put together basic drawings from Fi’s designs, the couple then selected builder Ian Wallaker, who had been recommended by friends.

Victorian terraced home extension dining area — *The garden views are enjoyed from the Vintage G Plan table from Ebay. Eiffel chairs and Karsten pendant light, both Blue Sun Tree. Rug, Ikea*

With the children getting older, the couple also felt that they could do with an additional bathroom, so converted the loft into two bedrooms and a bathroom for the children, turning the second bedroom on the first floor into a home office for Fi’s business, and the back room into a guest room. The couple decided to hire local specialist Chelmer Loft Conversions for this.

Victorian terraced home kitchen — A Steel Cucine 100 range cooker from Bradshaw is flanked by Retro Metro Swiss Cottage tiles from Fired Earth, and a glass splashback from Maldon Glass. For a similar chimney hood, try the Bosch DWW077A 50B, John Lewis

Victorian terraced home seating with wood burning stove — *A Stockton electric stove from Zigi Fireplaces creates a cosy corner in the kitchen. Three- leg chair, Blue Sun Tree. Bench seat, Heal’s. Rug, Ebay*

Victorian terraced home dark grey staircase — *Avebury Aldbourne Stripe carpet contrasts with walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe. Orangina print, Artrepublic*

Victorian terraced home home office workspace — *A former bedroom is now Fi’s office. Desk made from a worktop and two Ikea drawer units. Vintage-style armchair, Pepper Mill Antiques*

Victorian terraced home dark grey bedroom — Fi dyed her existing John Lewis bedlinen grey to give it a new lease of life. For a similar bedstead, try Linea Hoxton from House of Fraser. Hooks and chair, both TK Maxx. Bird cushion, John Lewis.For a similar aztec rug, try The Rug House

Victorian terraced home white bathroom sanitaryware — *Fi found the vintage towel rail for her scheme on Ebay. For a similar bath and basin,try Bathstore. For floor tiles, try the Travertine design from Walls & Floors*

Victorian terraced home bedroom wallpaper — Bookshelf motif trompe-l’oeil wallpaper – try Young & Battaglia for similar – and a fun flamingo from DZD, add interest. For a similar floor lamp, try the Kartler from B&Q. For a similar mother of pearl pendant light, try the Eglo Chipsy from Dusk Lights. Sergio silver wool throw, Wool Me

Victorian terraced home front facade — *Behind the narrow façade of this archetypal Victorian terraced property now lies a spacious family home. Shutters, Hillarys Blinds*

The contacts

Construction: Ian Wallaker, 01702 545556
Loft extension: Chelmer Loft Conversions, 01245 409292
Doors and windows: Trustwood Joinery, 01277 203203; Bygone Collection, 01376 510410
Kitchen: Howdens
Flooring: Orlestone Oak