HOMES l KBB B
efore they could finalise the purchase of their Victorian semi- detached home, Amber and Dave Sharman had to be fully sussed out by the property’s former owner. “It was lovingly cared for by a recent widower and before his wife died, she instructed him to leave it to a nice family with children who could grow up there. When we showed our interest,
he wanted to interview us, so we joined him for tea – very British. He obviously approved of us, because he agreed to sell,” Amber chuckles. “There was something special about the house and we loved it as soon as we saw it. It had some period features but, more than that, a very nice feel.” Although it was instantly welcoming, there was plenty to do. “There were faded pink carpets throughout, lots of oak detailing, marbled bathrooms, and a side conservatory with a strange two-way fireplace linking it to the back reception room,” Amber remembers. Like the majority of Victorian homes, it also featured a very small galley kitchen. Amber and Dave’s plan included an internal refurbishment to add ensuites to two bedrooms, knocking out the rear of the house to extend by 3m, and installing a pre-fabricated pod – which extended an existing loſt conversion – to the top level. For the kitchen, Amber approached designer Pia Rosling at Sola Kitchens.
“She actually saved us,” she laughs. “I had been to see the showroom early in the project as it is around the corner from where we live. They provided a design and quote but our architects had also recommended a joiner, so we went with them. As the work progressed and we strayed from the architect’s original plans, we realised the joiner could not achieve what we wanted. They had done some drawings and it was getting late in the project, so changing direction was going to cause some pain – but we knew we had to do it, so I went back to Pia with my tail between my legs. We moved very quickly and got the units ordered. I’m not sure what would have happened if we hadn’t done this.” The brief was for an open scheme that would be the hub of the home, with
a large island for adults to socialise and children to do homework. “Dave and I decided to not have anything on the island, especially a sink as we imagined dirty dishes piling up around it. We wanted a Belfast design elsewhere. Plus, we specified plenty of fridge space and a range cooker, as we wanted to achieve a warm, English style with a modern Scandinavian twist,” says Amber. While the extension’s high ceilings allowed for tall units, Amber decided
to create two doors into the kitchen – one from the hall, the other from the reception – which, together with the room’s size, dictated where the fridge, larder, and appliance run could be. “We contemplated having units on the far wall, but didn’t really need this. I wanted the cooking zone to benefit from all the light, which is why it sits under the skylights. It doesn’t feel dark at all, despite the wall units above the sink and range. Dave and I were worried about lacking work surface along this run, but there is ample for what we need. The island has excellent drawer storage and enough room for a wine cabinet. It was also important to us that the barstools were not arranged like a bus stop; having them around a corner makes eating feel more social, plus one of us can oversee three sets of homework at once.” The couple also decided on a hidden pantry behind the kitchen. “This was Dave’s redrawing of the architect’s plans, which is one of his favourite hobbies,” Amber laughs. “Luckily, we had a flexible builder who was prepared to accommodate our continuing changes.” The living area features a large corner sofa and television area, plus enjoys daylight from the sliding doors at the rear – great for relaxing aſter a large meal. Amber’s Shaker-style kitchen has modern influences and accents of bright
colour, from the pink herringbone splashback to the yellow pedants above the island. “We have a blue-black theme – it started with the garden fence panels and continued indoors. We thought the room’s size, ceiling height, and ample light allows for a bold kitchen and I think the gamble paid off. The whole house, we hope, boasts its Victorian history but with flecks of modern design. Buying this house and doing this project completely changed our lives: it’s so spacious and, as it’s south facing, is a really warm space, despite grey tiling. Sitting at the island is our favourite thing – it must be the most used part of the house.”
APRIL 20 l KITCHENS BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS 95
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