'It feels like a luxury hotel suite'

By converting their unused loft, Karen and Phil Moseley have added a fourth bedroom and en-suite to their 1950s house, which has transformed family life

- Karen Wilson

Living on a busy road with two young children, Karen and Phil Moseley were keen to find a fixer-upper on a quieter street which could be adapted to their needs. When they came across a three-bedroom 1950s detached house in December 2020, it seemed ideal. 'It was an elderly lady's house so needed everything doing,' says Karen. 'But it had a nice garden and loads of potential to open up the kitchen and make it exactly how we wanted.

The loft was the last space to be renovated in 2023. 'You're supposed to renovate from the top down because it cracks your ceilings elsewhere,' admits Karen. 'But, because the house was in such a bad state, we had to prioritise the bathroom and kitchen. The loft was a bit of a luxury later on.'

THE PROJECT

Previously the loft space wasn’t functional, lacked proper flooring, insulation, and natural light, and had never been touched beyond basic storage. However, the Moseleys always knew it had potential and could be converted within permitted development rules. “The footprint was generous, and with some clever planning and investment, we envisioned transforming it into a spacious, light-filled bedroom with an en-suite,' explains Karen. Decor-wise, the pair dreamt of a tranquil grownup retreat, in tune with the relaxing green tones in the rest of the house.