Restoration And Renovations - BATH Life February 2023

IN THIS ISSUE…

In the February issue of Bath Life, Interior Designers from across Bath share their ‘tales of the unexpected ‘when it comes to restoration work. Talking about projects that proved trickier than expected, as well as interesting aspects of a renovation challenge that came their way, surprising tricks of the trade and insider secrets. In this article Charlotte Wright from Hobson’s Choice discusses one of her more challenging projects.

She touches on:

- What was the brief and the client’s aims?

- What were the challenges encountered?

- Aside from the challenges, what was unexpected about/during/after this undertaking?

- What was the outcome?

- Can a contemporary-style kitchen work in a period property?

BATH LIFE FEB 2023

If you would like to read the February edition of Bath Life magazine, featuring the full ‘tales of the unexpected’ article by interior specialists from across the area, click on the button below.

Renovation of A 400-year-old Listed Jacobean Manor House

What was the brief and the clients aims?

The disjointed nature of the original kitchen was to be addressed in order to create a more cohesive space for cooking, dining, working and socialising. The adjacent utility space was to be reconfigured to create separate rooms for laundry, storage, water tanks and dog-drying.

It was important the bulthaup b3 kitchen was to remain visually minimal, enabling the character and interior architecture of the room to be the focus.

What were the challenges encountered?

Hobson’s Choice provided the client with a full ‘turn-key’ service, ensuring that the complexities of the strip-out, minor remedial works, installation and decoration were all managed by their dedicated designer. By controlling every element, we were able to save our clients time and remove the stresses associated with a large-scale project.

When renovating a period property any number of challenges can be hiding just under the surface, almost impossible to see before floors are lifted or walls coverings are removed. A particularly challenging aspect of this project related to the floor, or indeed, the lack of screed beneath the stone tiles. It was resolved with professional guidance, a lot of hard work and a mini digger!

Aside from the challenges, what was unexpected about/during / after this undertaking?

Through regular communication between the installation team, the designer and our clients, there weren’t unexpected instances. This was only achieved through detailed planning and honest discussion. A project of this scope could have quickly crept beyond budget constraints or timescales should there not have been proper investigation and preparation.

What was the outcome?

The project was a great success and provided our clients with the functionality, style and complete project management service they so desired. The revised layout offers more defined zones and the finished decor emphasises the architecture and features of the room, for example:

• The vertical exposed ceiling beams remain dark to lead the eye up to the high vaulted ceiling whilst the cross members match the walls to make them less prominent.

• The use of natural oak links the dining area, the breakfast bar and the utility area doors.

• The induction hob and extractor are positioned neatly within the chimney breast. 

• The large floor tiles and underfloor heating run throughout the rooms, linking the entire area together.

With any renovation to your property, we would always recommend you seek the guidance of a professional before undertaking any work. The potential time and budget-savings a professional can offer with their experience and knowledge will likely far outweigh any initial costs for their guidance.

Can a contemporary-style kitchen work in a period property?

For some period property homeowners, the thought of adding a contemporary-style kitchen can feel like too much of a contrast. How could the very minimalist visual work in a more aged building?

Our clients knew that they desired the simplicity and functionality of a bulthaup kitchen. For others who may be more undecided, our designers would talk to them about how the bespoke kitchen can be designed to slip subtly into the background. Through the careful choice of surface finishes and sympathetic design the rooms, character is allowed to shine, whilst still providing the very best kitchen functionality.

If designed with the interior architecture of a period property in mind, the unfussy design of a bulthaup b3 kitchen can become the perfect complement to exposed beams, brickwork and period features.