Marianne Suhr: Kitchen Synthesis

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The project: Turnpike House, a Grade II-listed, 17th-century, three-storey timber-framed house in Oxfordshire, with a kitchen ‘bursting at the seams’.
This month's challenge: To plan and begin work on a new, airy kitchen extension.

Kerry and Nick with their sons, Stuart and Duncan, were among the first people we met when we moved to our gorgeous Oxfordshire village. In true neighbourly fashion, Kerry left a delicious casserole on our doorstep when we returned from hospital after the arrival of our baby son Max. It was then that I realised what a great cook she is! So I wasn’t surprised when she told me about her plans to extend her small and rather dark kitchen into a light open space that even Delia Smith would approve of.

Juggling styles
Kitchen extensions to old buildings can be really tricky; I know this from my own house. Getting something to blend with the existing structure, without it looking stuck on or out of proportion is extremely skilful. If the building is listed, then finding a solution that will please the conservation officer can be quite a task. Over recent years the function of the kitchen has changed; we now prefer big spaces for family and friends with an everyday dining area, as well as a comfy corner to relax in, and with two teenagers and a dog, Kerry wanted as much space as possible.

Having lived at Turnpike House for seven years, she’d had a long time to think about it. Timberframed houses tend to be dark, so Kerry was keen to bring in as much light as possible, especially considering that the extension is on the north side, although she preferred to keep a solid roof.

Optimising space
She employed architect Ken Whiting who had worked on various local houses. There was no possibility of extending any of the existing roof slopes, so Ken designed a new space with its own double-pitched roof.

Kerry particularly wanted a traditional feel to the extension and was keen to execute it in green oak. She got her solid roof but the beautiful oak rafters were left exposed to give the room a feeling of space and height. The two external walls are a series of windows, separated by oak mullions, with French doors on to the patio.

Once they had agreed the scheme Ken drew up the plans. Kerry brought in a kitchen designer to plot the units before submitting the planning application in order to be sure her ideas were viable before she committed.

When it came to employing a builder, Kerry and Nick really struck gold. A few days into the project, Kerry rang me up in a state of amazement and said, ‘I can’t believe it, he arrived when he said he would, he’s tidy, considerate and on programme!’

ABOVE (L-R): Assembly of the new green-oak frame; the mini digger arrives to dig the trenches for the foundations.
BELOW: Architect Ken Whiting’s sketch for the new kitchen extension.

Marianne's Checklist: Planning an extension

• Choose a style: Terraced houses lend themselves to simple glass boxes at the rear, but some people prefer a period look. Even if you have an old house, it may be possible to add in a contemporary style without detracting from the historic structure.
• Gather inspiration: Before appointing anyone to design the project look through as many magazines as possible and make a scrapbook of the features, colours and styles that appeal to you. Use this as an aid to brief your architect or surveyor.
• Talk to a conservation officer: If your house is listed, don’t assume that your extension has to copy the style of the old building. Many planners will prefer the extension to be in a modern style so that the archaeology of the house is not confused in the future. Talk it through with them before spending money on fees.
• Employ professionals: Before appointing an architect look at their other projects and speak to past clients. The wisest route is to retain your architect until the end, or to employ a project manager. Alternatively, the architect can design the extension and get it through planning and your builder can take it on from there, but to do this you must have faith in them, or be experienced in running a project yourself.

Reno advice: How to minimise the pain
Bear in mind that building works are messy. They create dust, noise and piles of rubbish. Be prepared for chaos for a while.

• Before work begins: Pack away all but your essential kitchen equipment and ensure surfaces are as clutter-free as possible to make them easy to wipe down and keep clean. If necessary, plan a temporary kitchen to use during the building works.
• Plan the schedule: If your current kitchen is being extended programme the works so as much as possible is completed on the new part before the builders break through to the existing space.
• Get organised: Choose all your fixtures and finishes well in advance – don’t delay progress by prevaricating over which particular tap or light switch to go for.
• Shun dust and dirt: Fit plastic ‘dustproof’ doors wherever necessary. These can be zipped shut to contain the mess.
• Lay ground rules: Make sure your builder leaves the site safe and tidy at the end of each day, especially if you have small children. And buy plastic overshoes for any tradesmen to wear in the house as it draws towards completion.

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS MARIANNE SUHR
Featured in the October 2009 issue of Period Living