she watches over me
Norwood, London
Type | Residential renovation and extension
Client | Private
Contractor | Rose Development Services
Status | Completed August 2024
Photographer | Manuel Vásquez
This renovation project was all about preserving the heart of a family home that’s been passed down for three generations. We focused on one key area - the rear - where a cluttered kitchen with no connection to the garden needed a fresh start.
We added a small courtyard extension to open up the space and bring the outdoors in. The new extension is clad in charred timber, giving it a striking, natural look that ties in with the existing structure.
A soft green aluminium window system contrasts beautifully with the deep black timber cladding, creating a seamless view into the garden. This connection to nature was essential to the design, reflecting the homeowner’s love of their outdoor space.
The materials used throughout the renovation were chosen for their sustainability and natural quality. We wanted the space to feel wholesome and in tune with the environment, using finishes that age gracefully and reduce the environmental footprint.
We decided to expose key structural elements for an industrial but playful touch. The birch ply joist and bright trumpet yellow paint give the space a lively, dynamic energy. Sometimes, it’s the details that bring a space to life!
To make the extension biodiversity-friendly, we added a green roof and clad both the new wall and the existing ground floor brick walls in charred timber. It’s not just beautiful but functional, helping with insulation and blending the structure with the surrounding landscape.
When we first visited the house, we were blown away with the beautiful garden designed, managed and used by the clients. There was a reading corner, a wilderness area, potted succulents and even an original street-bin kept as a relic from the blitz. This was a garden in use, not just a pretty backdrop. We wanted to pay homage to this outdoor space and give our clients a picture-perfect view.
The project wasn’t just about extending and renovating the ground floor, but paying a tribute to the homeowner’s grandmother who was the original occupier of the house. A new, personal artwork by the beautiful artist Adébayo Bolaji is the centrepiece of the extension. The painting is called ‘She Watches Over Me’, a beautiful nod to the family’s history.
