Bradley and Laura, a creative couple who co-run a marketing agency for health and wellness brands, worked with Resi to transform their Leyton home into a light-filled family space for themselves and their son. Originally a two-bedroom property with a dated, cramped kitchen, they wanted to future-proof the house before starting a family through creating more living space, a new kitchen and additional bedrooms through both a ground floor wraparound extension and a loft conversion.
Working with Resi, they reimagined their home layout to maximise every inch of available space. What started as a simple kitchen update soon evolved into a full-scale renovation, including a striking glass-backed extension and a pitched roof feature that floods the interior with natural light.
What was the house like before, and what made you decide to renovate?
The house was previously a two bedroom property. The kitchen was the biggest pain point, as it was much smaller, old-fashioned and essentially falling to pieces. The number of bedrooms meant that once we started a family it would have been difficult to separate our family space with working from home. The garden was really big, and so it seemed the right thing to do to utilise part of it as living space.
We originally wanted a new kitchen, and that idea grew into an extension. The loft wasn’t ever a consideration at first, but then we realised we’d probably have to move out for some time to get the work done, especially with a young baby. So we thought, why not explore getting everything done at the same time, so that we only have to do it once?
This isn't our forever home; it was always going to be an investment with the hope of making a profit. Resi really guided us on the design for the loft, as we didn’t have anything in mind except using the space to its best potential and getting two rooms up there. Our designer did a smashing job, and was such a pleasure to work with.
What were your must-have design features?
On the extension, we really wanted to have a lot of glass, which we achieved! The idea for the pitched roof was something that came later on, to get more height and create a greater sense of space. The glass triangular window above the doors really makes the extension feel unique. For us, the most important things to get right were the light, and to create more living and play space the little one.
Was this your first time renovating?
Laura has previously done a renovation. I think the amount of decisions you have to make can sometimes feel daunting. I underestimated Laura’s caution on this part; there are lots of decisions. The downside to moving out is not being on-site, as the builders’ pace can move slower when you’re not there driving the decision-making. But there are plenty of upsides, like not having to deal with the noise or the mess!
What were the most exciting moments of the build?
It was really exciting seeing the big changes each time we came to London. It’s hard to imagine what the rooms will look like when there are just timber frames in the loft, and then the next time I came down there were walls, doors and floors - it all came to life so quickly. And then the finishing touches, like the kitchen being fitted, really made it take shape and show us what our home was going to look like.
What were your biggest concerns going into the project?
Concerns about the budget weren’t too significant; we kept a spreadsheet throughout, and ensured we had a 20% buffer. There will always be costs you don’t think about along the way, so it’s important to keep a bit extra in mind for those. In terms of the timeline, there were slight delays that set us back by approximately two months in total, but in the grand scheme of a project that takes almost a year, it wasn’t so bad.
How has the renovation changed life for you as a family?
The project has given us such a better quality of life, from day-to-day living to things like hosting guests. We can now chat as we cook, host in the extension, and then move through to the lounge for the evening. Plus, our little one loves whizzing around the kitchen island on his tricycle!
We now use what used to be our bedroom as a guest room, which guests love to stay in. It has a king-size bed, wardrobes, and is really spacious. So with the extra rooms, we can host more people, more often. Plus, we can be on the top floor with our little one, which gives us peace of mind.
Financially, what kind of return have you seen on your investment?
The house went from £650k to around £950k in value, and the total investment was approximately £230k. That includes the kitchen, furniture, everything. The build cost was around £215k.
Finally, what advice would you give to someone embarking on a similar project?
I’d say to work with your designer to get exactly what you want. Even during the build, small changes can still be made on site, like where doors go, for example. Be prepared to make lots of decisions, and expect some delays or extra costs. But it has truly changed our lives, and I’m so glad we went through the process. Resi was always on hand to pick up the phone and help us. Our account manager was fantastic and gave us every confidence that we’d be looked after.
Photography by Peter Furlong.
