Best laid plans

A renovation and significant extension have future-proofed Rossella and Tim van der Weyden's Victorian terrace for years to come

- JULIET BENNING

When Rossella and Tim van der Weyden first viewed their future home they found themselves somewhat overwhelmed by the extent of the many improvements it would need. "We actually discarded the house after that first visit because we just felt it would be too much work,' says Rossella, a property surveyor. But a love of the area and desire for a change of lifestyle meant the couple decided to reassess their original decision. They were also eager for more space for their two children, who are eight and six, as well as Millie their Bengal cat. 'We had lived in our old home during the lockdowns. It was a smaller Victorian terrace house and had been extended to its maximum size,' Rossella explains.