Restoration and extension of a house in Kew.

It's a common story – a beautiful old house spoiled by ill-considered alterations. This grand old Victorian villa in Kew, however, had a couple of things in it's favour: it was on a large site with plenty of room for a new extension, and the clients had drafted in the talented team at Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors to transform it into a modern family home.

The architects' strategy was to refurbish the original house, and match the small dimensions of its rooms to appropriate functions, such as sleeping quarters and music rooms. A generous extension was then appended to the house, with spacious living areas, a parents' retreat and kitchen/dining zone.

Doors and windows run to ceiling height, flooding this living space with natural light.

The new extension was built from brick to match the old villa, with prominent timber elements fabricated by McKay Joinery – windows, doors and top-sliding external timber shutters. All of these elements were crafted from Victorian ash, with merbau for sills. It was fantastic to collaborate with Rob Mills' team and our regular partners, ATMA Builders, on the project.

Finely framed windows dissolve the barrier between the kitchen and adjoining garden area.

The new extension opens out onto the lawn.

Viewed from the street, the grand old house and new extension are seamlessly connected.

The windows and doors throughout are notable for finely detailed frames and large apertures, to maximise the amount of natural light in the house's interior spaces. However, the family living here always have control over the light thanks to those external shutters.

Photography courtesy of ATMA Builders.