A thorough renovation was necessary to adapt the Edwardian-style dwelling for a family-oriented living space.
Renovating an Edwardian Terrace in South London: A Modern Family Home
In the heart of South London, a mid-terraced Edwardian house has been transformed into a spacious, modern family home by Fraser & Fraser Design and project manager Chloe Cooke. The renovation project, which included a side return extension, reconfiguration of the family bathroom, and conversion of a bedroom into a home office, aimed to open up the ground floor and respect the period character of the house.
The extension expanded the ground floor space, connecting the kitchen, dining, and living areas in a more open-plan arrangement. Structural works were carried out to remove walls, and bifold or glazed doors were inserted to allow for better natural light and flow between the interior and garden.
The existing family bathroom was redesigned to improve functionality and space efficiency. This often involves rearranging plumbing and fixtures to optimize layout and sometimes introducing contemporary finishes that complement the home’s Edwardian features. One bedroom was repurposed as a home office, a reflection of modern lifestyle needs.
While Fraser & Fraser Design and Chloe Cooke managed the detailed design and style aspects, elements typical to Edwardian terrace renovations were emphasized. This includes maintaining period architectural details but integrating modern comforts and open-plan living preferred by today’s families.
The dining space, color-drenched in soft putty tones, is designed for long, sociable lunches and suppers. The dining table is positioned to line up with the roof light, bringing additional light into the room. The formal sitting room comes into its own when the nights draw in.
In the formal sitting room, Chloe encouraged Koreen to be bold with the color choice. The room is now a vibrant contrast to the neutral color palette for the interior, which serves as a blank canvas for Koreen's collection of vibrant artwork.
Pocket doors allow the transition space (snug) to be closed off from the dining room, providing a cosy and intimate space for family gatherings. The snug features bespoke cabinetry, providing an attractive storage solution.
The kitchen features soft grey Shaker-style cabinetry, a dark yet warm neutral island, and herringbone oak flooring that runs throughout the downstairs. The family bathroom was reconfigured and a fireplace was removed to create enough space for a separate bath and shower. A slipper bath makes an elegant focal point in the family bathroom, while a bespoke oak vanity with a marble countertop adds a touch of luxury.
Encaustic floor tiles introduce statement pattern in the family bathroom, and panelling was installed in the bathroom as a nod to the age of the house. The side return extension and back extension by three metres were completed to create a larger open-plan kitchen with a sitting area.
The renovation process was overseen by Architect Clare Diggins from Fraser & Fraser Design. Vivienne Ayers and Andrea Childs are the editors of the article detailing the transformation of this Edwardian terrace into a light, airy, and functional family home. After returning to London four years later, Koreen and Charles, the owners of the property, decided to renovate the property to better suit their grown-up sons.
The home office, repurposed from a bedroom, showcases modern lifestyle needs within the transformed Edwardian Terrace, a project involving home-improvement and interior-design by Fraser & Fraser Design and Chloe Cooke. The extended ground floor, featuring an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area, along with the redesigned family bathroom, contributes to the home-and-garden lifestyle now enjoyed by the homeowners.
