Living the good life

Every decision Deborah and Alex Shafier took when remodelling their Edwardian semi had eco credentials at its heart

- DEBBIE JEFFERY

After four years spent living in their dark, draughty, disjointed Edwardian terrace, Deborah and Alex Shafier made plans to remodel the house and create a functional eco home for their family. ‘The space wasn’t working and the challenge was to open up the layout, bringing light into every room,’ says Deborah, an interior designer with Iguana Architects, which specialises in connecting homes to nature using biophilic design. Deborah worked closely with her colleague Lara Abou Fadel to develop the layout of the home, alongside the natural and understated style.

The architectural practice secured planning permission for their contemporary proposal and a building company was employed to complete the work while the family decamped to live with Deborah’s parents. Demolishing the leaky conservatory and building a double-storey rear extension, clad in striking black slatted timber, adds a modern twist to the classic Edwardian brickwork, while glass doors and roof lights fill the interiors with an abundance of natural light.