Back to the future

Internal replanning and refitting. New roof terrace.

Why is this special?

There is no extension yet a much greater feeling of space, with all the key rooms now enjoying a view of the Thames. The new roof terrace shares this view yet is invisible from the (Conservation Area) street and unlike most nearby has planning consent.

The Challenge

Like many of its type, this narrow but four storey Victorian terrace had been split up and rear-ranged several times resulting in a garden accessed through a bedroom and no safe way out of the master bedroom if there was a fire. As well as sorting this out the owner wanted another bed-room, a bath and shower in the (bigger) ensuite, more storage (like everyone else) and private outside space.

Our Solution

This Chelsea house’s greatest asset is a direct view over the Thames. But the most used rooms were either at the back or tucked behind a parapet. The answer turned out to be to return the main living spaces to the ground floor. This is raised enough for the sitting room at the front to en-joy the view of the park across the road also glimpsed from the dining / kitchen which in turn has direct access to the garden at the back. Upstairs the reinstated first floor front bedroom is a study whilst the master bedroom enjoy the river view from the top floor. The twist is a new roof terrace above the back of the house reached through a big new skylight at the top of the stairs. Where else?

The Results

Outside space with a view of the Thames, but out of sight of the street. A fantastic top floor master bedroom with a dressing room and ensuite that enjoys a view of the Thames from its own balcony. And open space three, the original garden, once more accessible and visible from the main social spaces.