I’ve mentioned before that our home is listed.
The main part of it was built in the 17th century with a shiny new extension added in 1890 (modern hey?!).
But even though it could really do with being dragged into the 21st century, extending a listed building is easier said than done.
That said, 15 years or so ago the previous owners managed to get planning approved for a conservatory.
Wooden framed — and a decent size — it’s turned the house into an L shape.
We currently use it as our ‘smart’ sitting room; basically a child-free room that isn’t strewn with an assortment of plastic toys and stuffed animals.
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Extending a Listed Building
I *like* the conservatory (the space but not the look of it) but what I really want to do is knock the whole thing down and rebuild across the whole of the back of the house.
It’s freezing in the winter and like an oven in the summer. It just doesn’t serve it’s purpose.
But I don’t want our extension to look like it was built in the 1600s either — a pastiche of the era — I want it to look super modern but still tie in with the existing building.
Not too much to ask eh?
It is a big ask — and a BIG job — but I’ve been trawling the internet and there are some gorgeous examples that make me think it could work beautifully.
A Room With a View
One thing’s for sure.
If we did knock down our existing conservatory and replace it with something fabulous, I’d *definitely* have plenty room for the dream kitchen I’ve been banging on about!
Editor’s note: Since this post was written, we managed to get planning permission passed. Plus listed building consent on our Grade 2 listed cottage. You can read all about it here.
Extending a listed building certainly isn’t as straightforward as extending a modern, unlisted home. But the rewards are amazing!! I wrote a post with tips on how to get listed building consent approval.
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
Holy toledo I’m right there with you on that dream! The super modern looking ‘conservatory’ is gorgous and the kitchen… *sigh*
Aah totally. Wouldn’t it be nice? I’ve been on about the ‘dream kitchen’ for years now. I figure we don’t actually have the space for it, so building a new conservatory would be the perfect solution!! ;) Just one problem — I *need* a lottery win!! :)
I love the modern conservatory pictures! That is so fab and I completely agree – sometimes you have to go ultra modern to compliment the timeless beauty of a listed building. #twinklytuesday
Totally!! I think the contrast is fab — much better than trying to add something that looks like it was built in the same era! x
This reminds me of our family home in Ireland. It is around 400 years old and had a utility room built on in the 1980s that was not quite the width of the house. My dad finally knocked and rebuilt it the width of the house as a sun room about 10 years ago. The utility room got moved to the shed. It adds so much space to the house, adjoins the kitchen and the living room with two sets of glass doors and opens on to the patio. Perfect for entertaining and doubles as a home office some says.
Yes, it is a big job, but it can make your home into something much more suited to your lifestyle as the boys grow.
#twinklytuesday
Aaah it would be awesome!!! We need a lottery win first though!! xx
Oh those conservatories look gorgeous and I’m with you on that dream kitchen… hope one day that dream comes true :-) #twinklytuesday
Gosh — me TOO!!!! Am so desperate for a new kitchen. We’d need more space to have one like that though!!! :)
It is stunning! I would love a house like that with that conservatory! dream…. xx #twinklytuesday
Totally my dream too — got to get my cosmic order in!! ;)
Oooh those look lovely. Sounds like a great site. Wish we had it here in Thailand. Some of the labourers we’ve had have been terrible!
#twinklytuesday
Ohmylife — YES!! Maybe you can set one up?!! You’d make a fortune!
Oh wow that sort of conservatory looks AMAZING! And that kitchen really is the dream, I don’t know how anyone could disagree with that. Fingers crossed for that lottery win!!! #twinklytuesday
One of the days it will be mine… keeping fingers, toes, arms, legs and eyes crossed!! ;)
Those look stunning! I wish I could just move into one of those!
#TwinklyTuesday
Gemma xxx
Aaah me too Gemma!! Wouldn’t that be awesome!! Am praying for a lottery win ;)
The rated people site is great for finding tradespeople you can trust. It’s a great example of how the internet can be used for good!! I LOVE the inspiration images you shared. How amazing would it be to have a space like any one of those?!! We are about to re-embark on our dream kitchen journey (having gone from our original plan, to a cheaper less exciting one, we are now back to the original) and I am SO excited to get started! I just need to reign my enthusiasm in a bit to make sure we can stay within our budget – hmmm – such a nuisance!! ;-)
I’d never heard of them before Sue — it’s such a fab idea though isn’t it? Will *definitely* be using them if ever I get the opportunity to build my dream conservatory/kitchen!! ;)
I love that traditional and modern twist, it looks absolutely stunning. You have such a great vision lady and I hope you get exactly what you want some day soon xoxo
Aah me too lovely — on both counts!! ;) xxxx