An extended Victorian house with clever kids study space and a covetable spa retreat
Lockdown ready? This Victorian house in Cambridgeshire is set up for home schooling, home working and luxury leisure time
THE PROPERTY
A semi-detached Victorian house in a South Cambridge conservation area, with a modern rear and loft extension. The modern home has an open kitchen/dining area, sitting room, study, kids study area, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, plus a gym, sauna and spa area at the end of the garden.
See more modern extensions
As if they could see into the future, high on the agenda for the owners of this home was a home working space for each of them, plus a home schooling area for their three children.
Next up was to build an outdoor leisure space at the end of their garden to house a gym, sauna and spa area.
Neil Dusheiko Architects designed the extension, which envelopes the existing house, and features a series of skylights creating an abundance of natural light inside the home.
Outside, the new garden, designed by landscape designer, Jane Brockbank, links the house with the ‘Dark Spa’ a secluded retreat at the foot of the garden.
KITCHEN AND DINING AREA
The north facing rear extension is naturally illuminated by two huge skylights and a bank of floor-to-ceiling glass doors.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
Slim handcrafted Petersen Kolumba brick complements the original yellow stock brick of the original structure and is combined with warm parquet timber flooring.
Sleek white surfaces and pale Scandinavian style timber cabinetry make for a thoroughly modern and minimal kitchen yet the texture keeps it warm.
Rows of directional spot lights provide extra illumination in the evenings.
Views of the garden provide a worthwhile distraction.
See Also: The 15 best modern kitchen ideas - stylish, smart and chic
KIDS STUDY ZONE
Discreetly hidden behind doors is this fabulous childrens' study area. Each of the couple's three kids has their own desk and storage area that can be customised as they grow.
See more kids desk ideas
Once they've finished their school work, the doors can be closed and class dismissed.
There's even a cute kids' cloakroom area for their coats, bags and shoes.
LIVING ROOM
The pale timber parquet flooring continues through to the original part of the property, where beautiful original architectural features abound. Soothing green paintwork and vintage leather chairs exude a relaxed air.
GARDEN SPA
When all the home working and home schooling is done, the couple like to retreat to the spa garden room. Surrounded by trees and dappled light, the Sapele timber clad space is complete with gym, sauna, Japanese soaking tub, meditation room, shower and changing room.
We'd say this is the perfect lockdown lair.
See Also: 20 Garden Room Ideas - From Chic Sheds To Garden Offices & Garden Spas
See more modern homes
Jacky Parker is a London-based freelance journalist and content creator, specialising in interiors, travel and food. From buying guides and real home case studies to shopping and news pages, she produces a wide range of features for national magazines and SEO content for websites
A long-time contributor to Livingetc, as a member of the team, she regularly reports on the latest trends, speaking to experts and discovering the latest tips. Jacky has also written for other publications such as Homes and Gardens, Ideal Home, Red, Grand Designs, Sunday Times Style and AD, Country Homes and Interiors and ELLE Decoration.
-
9 Things Making Your Home Look Cheap — Avoid These Interior Faux Pas to Retain the Charm of Your Space
If you're worried about dulling the elegance of your home, here are some common mistakes interior designers caution against
By Amiya Baratan Published
-
I’m a California Native — And This Coastal-Inspired Serena & Lily Duvet Is At Top Of My Christmas Wishlist
Let’s just say I know my linens (and a thing or two about luxury). Serena & Lily’s Sale of the Year is here, and I’m finally taking home the duvet of my dreams
By Julia Demer Published
-
Tour a mid-century house in Philadelphia with a modern take on Mad Men style
This mid-century house in Philadelphia is a modern take on mid-century design and the perfect backdrop for this enviable collection of art and objects
By Livingetc Last updated
-
This modern Edwardian house in Melbourne is small but mighty
It may be small, but thanks to its ingenious design, this Edwardian house in Melbourne makes family living a breeze
By Livingetc Last updated
-
Old meets new in this apartment in New York's East Village - a former community centre built in 1860
The owner of this loft-style apartment in New York's East Village mixes ancient and modern with timeworn pieces, design classics and his own abstract art...
By Livingetc Last updated
-
Explore this super-contemporary coastal house in Cornwall
This coastal house in Cornwall is all about drinking in the uninterrupted views of nature at its most raw, most pure…
By Livingetc Last updated
-
Explore this spacious detached 1900s house in southeast London with stylish modern interiors
Edgy textures, luxe materials and a mix of vintage and bargain buys transformed a blank detached 1900s house in southeast London into a home full of personality.
By Livingetc Last updated
-
This large house in west London is minimal yet playful
A firefighter’s pole in the kitchen and a slide down the stairs? This house in west London proves minimalism can also be fun.
By Livingetc Last updated
-
Inside A Clever Garden Room That Doubles As A Chic Guest House
This striking garden room design incorporates a sleeping area, kitchenette, loo and shower, as well as plenty of storage space, making it ideal as both a self-contained guest house or a restful retreat to escape to.
By Lotte Brouwer Published
-
This light and bright Victorian terrace in west London is relaxed yet stylish
This chic Victorian terrace in west London is full of clever ideas that allow it to evolve.
By Livingetc Last updated