BALANCING ACT
While the temptation is often to embrace glass, be mindful of the architecture and setting of a house before choosing a design. The owners of this 18th-century property overlooking a river on the edge of London wanted a highly glazed extension, but interior designer Nicola Harding thought that it would have been incongruous with the style of the house, as well as being subject to the glare of the river and too hot summers. Instead, she designed an orangery with a skylight and an electric blind that filters light throughout the year. ‘The flowing colour palette and natural textures create a soulful atmosphere that generates different moods throughout the day and into the night,’ says Nicola.
NEW CHAPTER
One way to add an extension that is sympathetic to the original property yet creates a significant distinction rather than a pastiche is to follow the lines of the existing building then bring in a contemporary flavour. Simon Griffiths, associate director of HollandGreen, explains how his team designed this new addition to a listed mill house. ‘Our clients wanted to extend their property while retaining its character and charm,’
