A Mews kitchen extension, reimagined
Laurence Mews
This generously sized property is a three-storey semi-detached house located at the end of a cul-de-sac in a mews in Shepherd’s Bush. Due to the unusual shape of the plot, the property benefits from two patios, to the rear and the side.
A previous roof extension allowed the addition of two more bedrooms, making the original footprint of the ground floor too small for the potential number of occupants.
The client’s brief included a kitchen extension to increase the family space, a whole renovation of the ground floor to improve the connection with the outdoor spaces, additional storage, and more light in the narrow hallway.
Due to a restrictive response from the planners, who rejected a contemporary design approach, the extension had to quietly match the existing building externally and also deal with the lower ground level of the adjoining properties to the rear.
The solution was to drop the floor level of the extension itself, a move that not only resolved the height constraint but was also turned into an opportunity, creating a sunk sitting area for the dining space that added depth and character to the room.
A partial demolition of the hallway walls enabled the installation of internal glazing, enhancing the visual experience upon entering the property.
This design choice, coupled with the enlargement of the openings onto the rear patio, ensured the intake of natural light and created a connection with the rear garden.
The new kitchen layout made room for a spacious utility room, discreetly concealed behind doors that match the kitchen cabinetry.
Although the kitchen and dining area form one open space, the design ensured a visual separation by function. The act of stepping down into the dining area provided the perception of moving into another room.
The concept was reinforced by the introduction of a bespoke bioethanol fireplace, aligned with the run of the tall kitchen units ; a transitional element between the kitchen and the dining area.
Being surrounded by a calm and cosy space was an important point of the client’s brief, and with this in mind, the interior style was inspired by the character of mews dwellings.
Crittall-style glass and floor-to-ceiling doors, exposed brickwork, and steel beams, paired with a natural palette of colours, contributed to a warm and evocative atmosphere.
