Houzz Tour: An Edwardian cottage is renovated to retain its charm - This beautiful Edwardian cottage does not have the pretty postcard air inside when the owners bought the first. "The property was very run down and needed a complete renovation," says designer Kate Cooper Absolute Architecture, which was called to oversee the project. "It was cramped with many small rooms. Our brief was to open, add an extension and help the family to enjoy the outside space as much as possible."
With using carpenter Ben Heath and a team of landscapers and interior designers, Cooper managed to transform the house without destroying its charm and character. The main elements of the project were the addition of an extension of the kitchen and the bedroom, and the removal of the ceiling to the floor to expose the original vaulted roof.
With using carpenter Ben Heath and a team of landscapers and interior designers, Cooper managed to transform the house without destroying its charm and character. The main elements of the project were the addition of an extension of the kitchen and the bedroom, and the removal of the ceiling to the floor to expose the original vaulted roof.
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Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A family with teenagers
Location Newbury, West Berkshire
property A cottage built in 1910; it was originally the house of houses for wood
Size 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Designer Kate Cooper Absolute architecture
Photography James Wilson JAW Photography
Kate Cooper and his team improved the front of the property by adding hedges box pretty cottage garden planting on either side of the entry way . The path is laid out with traditional tiles Victorian encaustic, which continue inside along the hall and into the kitchen, helping to connect the inside and outside. The tiles were coated with a specialized sealant to protect them.
Cooper also updated exterior painting and chose a stylish gray lead for woodwork instead of the bright blue that was there before.
Woodwork painted down pipe, Farrow & Ball.
Who lives here A family with teenagers
Location Newbury, West Berkshire
property A cottage built in 1910; it was originally the house of houses for wood
Size 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Designer Kate Cooper Absolute architecture
Photography James Wilson JAW Photography
Kate Cooper and his team improved the front of the property by adding hedges box pretty cottage garden planting on either side of the entry way . The path is laid out with traditional tiles Victorian encaustic, which continue inside along the hall and into the kitchen, helping to connect the inside and outside. The tiles were coated with a specialized sealant to protect them.
Cooper also updated exterior painting and chose a stylish gray lead for woodwork instead of the bright blue that was there before.
Woodwork painted down pipe, Farrow & Ball.
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beside the house is a large meadow and some natural ponds. The field is planted with wild flowers, which offer a magnificent view of the house.
It is difficult to distinguish the extension of the original property, which protrudes from the left of the building toward the meadow. "The owners wanted to tie in perfectly with the character of the house," says Cooper.
It is difficult to distinguish the extension of the original property, which protrudes from the left of the building toward the meadow. "The owners wanted to tie in perfectly with the character of the house," says Cooper.
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the family had lived abroad in a warm climate and enjoy being outside as much as possible. the exterior of the property has been designed to accommodate this, with large terrace laid with fossil tumbled sandstone mint.
There are lots of outdoor seating, including a dining table generous surrounded by comfortable wicker chairs.
The owners also were keen to add a fireplace and outdoor barbecue, which are to the left of the house. the wooden building on the right is a sauna where they can escape if the weather turns cold. Cooper spotted the original orange wood sauna, a dark brown to help it blend into the rest of the building.
table and chairs, Neptune.
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There are lots of outdoor seating, including a dining table generous surrounded by comfortable wicker chairs.
The owners also were keen to add a fireplace and outdoor barbecue, which are to the left of the house. the wooden building on the right is a sauna where they can escape if the weather turns cold. Cooper spotted the original orange wood sauna, a dark brown to help it blend into the rest of the building.
table and chairs, Neptune.
Unsure where to install a barbecue? Be inspired by these intelligent solutions
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the small original kitchen has been extended to create a space large enough for family and friends to gather. "The owners did not want the room to feel new and smooth, so we added the ceiling beams to give it character," says Cooper.
French doors open onto the terrace for easy access outside, and the bay provides additional space for a comfortable window seat.
"the color scheme has been launched with the shiny fabric on the dining room chairs," said Cooper. "The owners fell in love with the design, so that everything else fell into place around him."
The blackboard was made specifically for space and a gold distressed detail along its edge.
French doors open onto the terrace for easy access outside, and the bay provides additional space for a comfortable window seat.
"the color scheme has been launched with the shiny fabric on the dining room chairs," said Cooper. "The owners fell in love with the design, so that everything else fell into place around him."
The blackboard was made specifically for space and a gold distressed detail along its edge.
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The owners wanted a relaxed atmosphere in the kitchen, so they chose, simple Shaker style units in soft white. Space is a custom carpentry and mixing parts ready-Neptune. A large pantry provides a useful storage, while the curved cabinets near the entrance of the hall prevent unpleasant bumps in sharp edges in the small space.
Cooper equipped with LED lights above and inside cabinets. These complement the ceiling spotlights and provide ambient light in the evening.
The ancient mirror backsplash is a smart way to publish the most part; it also subtly contrast with walls and matt units.
Walls painted in Satin Slipper; All in white painted ceiling, both Farrow & Ball.
Cooper equipped with LED lights above and inside cabinets. These complement the ceiling spotlights and provide ambient light in the evening.
The ancient mirror backsplash is a smart way to publish the most part; it also subtly contrast with walls and matt units.
Walls painted in Satin Slipper; All in white painted ceiling, both Farrow & Ball.
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the owners have a striking pendant light, they had powder coated in the same green as the Aga. The projectors offer functional lighting while the pendant is in the center.
pendant light, Charles Edwards.
pendant light, Charles Edwards.
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Moroccan tiles behind the Aga provide a beautiful backdrop to a display of kitchenware in traditional copper. The kitchen has lots of smart storage solutions, including a plate of shelf and board recesses cutting neat. "We focus generally clear of too much storage wall, but in such a small space we needed," says Cooper. She described the result as "artistic mess".
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A new oak front door leads into the tiled hallway. the door left leads to the utility room, which is used for cooking.
Every little detail has been attended to, with the switches made of conventional rear oak plates and toggles metal to complete the doors.
Every little detail has been attended to, with the switches made of conventional rear oak plates and toggles metal to complete the doors.
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The living space is a long, narrow space divided by a chest central fireplace and wood stove (not shown). Cooper designed some, elegant storage built opposite the sofa, with shelves, drawers and a sliding door to hide the TV . The autonomous units in the back room offer additional space for the disorder, while double rattan ottoman as a coffee table.
The herringbone parquet floor is softened with a sisal rug. "There was enough texture in fabrics and curtains, so we kept the carpet plain," says Cooper.
The herringbone parquet floor is softened with a sisal rug. "There was enough texture in fabrics and curtains, so we kept the carpet plain," says Cooper.
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At the other end of the living area is a study area. the antique furniture made to feel comfortable while the position of the desk in front of the bay window offers a relaxing view of the garden.
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in the master bedroom, Cooper removed the plaster from the ceiling to reveal the attractive joists behind. the team has given a fresh coat of paint, but left the texture original up. "it was a challenge to secure the huge brass ceiling light," says Cooper. "We had to take down one of the joists to get up there!"
The owners chose the distinctive wallpaper hand-printed and fabric, giving the room an opulent feel. fresh white bed linen illuminates the room , while a single loop carpet and old furniture finish the look.
Linen, The White Company.
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The owners chose the distinctive wallpaper hand-printed and fabric, giving the room an opulent feel. fresh white bed linen illuminates the room , while a single loop carpet and old furniture finish the look.
Linen, The White Company.
Want to add character to your ceiling? Check out these smart ideas
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the room's teenage son has a masculine touch, with a bold tartan design in upholstery. Again, the rafters were exposed and a brass lantern attached to the ceiling behind.
With a chimney breast on the right side of the room and the windows on the two remaining walls, the bed had to be placed under one of the windows. "It's unconventional," says Cooper. "But it works."
With a chimney breast on the right side of the room and the windows on the two remaining walls, the bed had to be placed under one of the windows. "It's unconventional," says Cooper. "But it works."
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girls "The owners share a room and it has a feminine feel, thanks to its soft pink and yellow furniture and cream colors. This room is part of the extension, so there were no rafters to discover.
The two small double beds take up much space, so that Cooper incorporated some space-saving tips to save some space. She removed a wall heater and floor heating used instead, and put a table between the two beds instead of opting for separate bedside units.
Office Interiors LT.
The two small double beds take up much space, so that Cooper incorporated some space-saving tips to save some space. She removed a wall heater and floor heating used instead, and put a table between the two beds instead of opting for separate bedside units.
Office Interiors LT.
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the bathroom is simple and light, with a cottage style bathroom and the shower curtain linen. Cooper designed built-in wardrobes to carefully keep toiletries and clothes out of sight.
The space is neutral, but the two-tone tiles add subtle interest to the room.
Valencia Valencia Moonstone and Opal wall tiles; limestone tile cathedral, all derived from the Earth. Sanitaryware, heritage.
The space is neutral, but the two-tone tiles add subtle interest to the room.
Valencia Valencia Moonstone and Opal wall tiles; limestone tile cathedral, all derived from the Earth. Sanitaryware, heritage.
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the basin is located right next to the window. "It is very light and offers beautiful views of the garden," says Cooper.
The hardware of the window has an oiled bronze finish, adding to the traditional look of the cottage.
Basin, Kohler .
The hardware of the window has an oiled bronze finish, adding to the traditional look of the cottage.
Basin, Kohler .
both floorplans show where the house has been extended to incorporate a new space for kitchen and a third bedroom upstairs. Previous kitchen gave way to a utility room and the living room was open to take full advantage of the space.
Cooper also reconfigured the master bedroom to create a space for a bathroom and removed the door in the third bedroom to add more wall space.
TELL US ...
What do you think of this character cottage? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Cooper also reconfigured the master bedroom to create a space for a bathroom and removed the door in the third bedroom to add more wall space.
TELL US ...
What do you think of this character cottage? Share your thoughts in the comments below.