CHARLTON HOUSE

Our approach was to work with the character of the existing house rather than against it: retaining and restoring the details that give the building its identity, while making thoughtful changes to support contemporary family life.

At the rear, the historic closet wing was carefully reworked to create a light-filled kitchen and dining space with a much stronger connection to the garden. A generous picture window forms a deep window seat overlooking the planting, while a glass-to-glass corner and full-height opening draw daylight deep into the plan and create different places to sit, gather and look out. Reclaimed brick flooring brings warmth and texture, helping the new spaces feel naturally connected to the older house.

The refurbishment was considered as a whole. Original fireplaces, doors, mouldings and other historic details were retained alongside a restrained palette of natural materials, bespoke joinery and contemporary fittings. The kitchen is deliberately calm and understated, while elsewhere colour, pattern and carefully chosen details give individual rooms their own character. A new shower room combines softly textured stone with warm brass fittings, and playful interventions bring personality to the children's spaces.

Close collaboration with the clients and contractor was central to the project. Working within a considered budget, the works were carefully prioritised and phased, from securing Listed Building Consent and delivering the principal architectural interventions to creating a watertight shell that the clients could continue to complete themselves.

The result is a home that feels evolved rather than reinvented: historic where it matters, contemporary where it adds value, and designed around the everyday life of the family who live there.