‘I just wanted a RELAXING ROOM'

A side extension decorated in harmony with the rest of Donna’s house has resulted in a comfortable family space

- JANE CRITTENDEN

After we moved here 13 years ago, the whole house had to be updated and we knocked through a muddle of small rooms to make a bigger kitchen,’ says Donna. ‘As time went on, we found that although the kitchen was long, it wasn’t wide enough, and it felt like we were on top of each other all of the time. I just wanted a relaxing room where we could all hang out.

Initially, our planning application to extend the rear was refused because of light issues with neighbours. A different architect suggested we extend three metres to the side. At first I wasn’t convinced but making the room square has made a huge difference – we didn’t need to go out at the back at all.