Traditional WITH A TWIST

Claire Totman's kitchen renovation merges modern style with period character

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Faced with an Edwardian terraced property that had been empty for four years, without a proper kitchen or any heating, Claire Totman was surprisingly unfazed by the task ahead. 'I own an architectural and interior design studio, and I wanted a renovation to take on. A period property was a must,' says Claire.

‘People are often scared off by damp, replumbing, rewiring and so on, but we knew what to do and had big plans. My eyes were fixed on all the original period features, like cornices, skirtings, panelled doors, architraves and fireplaces.’

Claire's vision for the property involved a two-phase renovation. The first phase included repairing doors and replacing the plastic windows with double-glazed sash windows, refitting the bathroom and redecorating throughout.