"From the somber terraced house we previously purchased, to the now luminous residence we now inhabit - day and night could hardly be more contrasting."
Couple Transforms Walthamstow Home with Loft Conversion and Extensive Renovation
Amy and Tom, a creative couple in east London, have successfully transformed their two-bedroom brick end-of-terrace house in Walthamstow into a spacious and light-filled home, thanks to a significant renovation project that took them until March 2024 to complete.
The couple, who are no strangers to design, undertook a comprehensive renovation that included a loft conversion, kitchen renovation, and exterior changes. Amy, an interior designer, designed the renovation to include a kitchen island and a loft conversion, while Michael Langley of MLA-Architecture was hired for the architectural work.
The front and back of the house were finished in reclaimed London stock brick, with black window and door frames and gutters, giving the property a contemporary twist on traditional Victorian charm. The original door sill was lowered to make the transition between the small, paved garden terrace and kitchen dining space inside feel seamless.
The main bedroom features bespoke wardrobes with vibrant and calming colors, while the guest bedroom in the attic conversion boasts a large window to let in plenty of natural light. Oversized windows were added to the attic conversion to trick the eye into a feeling of space and light, and rectangular fibre cement tiles were chosen for the dormer extension to make the loft conversion merge with the original roof.
The loft conversion presented a challenge in terms of fitting an additional staircase, bedroom, and bathroom into the narrow property. The solution was to design an L-shaped plan and install a large window above the stairwell to allow daylight into the area. The guest bathroom has skylights positioned to illuminate the house.
To maximize storage, Amy incorporated walk-in wardrobes, cupboards, and storage units into the eaves of the attic, transforming often-unused or cramped areas into efficient storage space. The kitchen island was designed to be a central hub for cooking, dining, and socializing, making the most of the open-plan living space.
The garden paving is laid in the same format as the herringbone timber floors inside, creating an "inside/outside" feel. The final design included the demolition of the plastic front porch and rear conservatory, leaving a clean slate for the contemporary renovation.
Caroline Ednie, a Glasgow-based freelance journalist, writer, and consultant specializing in architecture and design, highlights the importance of choosing the right type of loft conversion, optimizing storage, maximizing natural light and insulation, customizing the attic’s purpose, and considering interior design elements to create more space in a home through attic (or loft) conversions.
The couple's renovation project showcases the best ways to create more space in a home, demonstrating that with careful planning, design, and execution, it is possible to add valuable, functional space to your home without major extensions.
The interior design, overseen by Amy, an interior designer, features a kitchen island and a loft conversion, enhancing the overall lifestyle and functionality of the home. The home-and-garden underwent extensive renovation, including a loft conversion that maximizes space and natural light, providing a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary charm.
