All change...
It didn't take long for the Smiths to realise that, in order to create their perfect retreat, a few walls would have to come down.
Home gallery
When Susie Smith and her businessman husband, David, bought their 1920s detached Surrey house, they decided their new home would function much better if they completely redesigned the layout. So, before they and their three children John (19), Olivia (17) and Liam (eight) moved in, they revamped the porch and entrance hall, and put in a new staircase.
However, the Smiths didn't stop there. After living in the property for a year, they embarked on another six month phase of construction. "Overall, we've accomplished a huge amount," says Susie. "Our house had five bedrooms when we moved in, and it still has five - however, the way we've arranged things is now quite different."
One self-contained flatlet above the garage has become a generous family room, while a new en suite master bedroom has been created by lifting the steeply pitched roof over what used to be a storage area. Downstairs, a small kitchen, breakfast area and utility room were knocked into one vast, open-plan living space. The couple then added a two metre extension to the rear of the property.
The reason for the new kitchen-living-dining zone is that, with a large family, Susie and David wanted somewhere that they could all congregate. "We stayed here while the building work was carried out, although we had to manage with a temporary kitchen," Susie recalls.
With the structure finished, Susie approached Tina House, of Pyrford Interiors, to design, build and install their new cabinetry. Its main focus is the central unit, which has an unusual concave curve on one side. While most of the island is granite-topped, the curved section has an oak surface to act as a breakfast bar, which is where the children tend to eat, do their homework or play games. And, for cosiness, underfloor heating was put in place. Susie chose Brazilian charcoal slate tiles to give their aesthetic some grounding, because the rest of the scheme is light and airy.
Susie asked Jaqui McCarthy, from Designcall Ltd, for advice on colour palettes and furnishings. After they had settled on a Romo linen fabric with
a background of duck egg blue for the blinds, the island was painted in the same tone.
As for the en suite bathroom, Susie saw a Castello bath at an exhibition and loved its luxurious ovoid shape. "I'm delighted with the bathroom," she smiles. "I'm particularly pleased with the shutters, which evoke a Colonial feel."
The bathroom tiles are black ceramic and the furniture is dark wood, so, to continue the flow, Susie and Jaqui decided the master bedroom should reflect this look. It also features deep, rich furniture amid a décor of subtle, calming colours. Susie chose a bed in Indonesian teak with a pair of matching bedside tables and a chest of drawers, while the bedding remains neutral.
"My brief was to create a classic yet fresh interior scheme," says designer, Jaqui. "Something that a young family would feel comfortable with, but that would ensure 'wow' when the lights go down and the music is turned up. I worked closely with Susie to guide and inspire, and liaised with Tina House from Pyrford Interiors, who designed the amazing kitchen. Together, I think we achieved the fabulous setting that Susie was after, while keeping it very homely and family-orientated."
