Corduroy House

Rugged strips of Welsh slate complete the rear extension to this remodeled Victorian townhouse for a fashion stylist, a contemporary art curator and their two young sons. The new dining and kitchen areas are lowered to increase ceiling heights and bring them level with the garden. The project won Best Use of Materials in the 2018 Don’t Move, Improve! Awards.

The kitchen balances the characterful older parts of the house with the pared back formality of the new extension. Unique aged elements, such as vintage door handles, mid-twentieth century furniture and reclaimed French Oak flooring help to thread the old and new together.

Dark Welsh slate is used in an economic and direct way to provide a rugged, natural backdrop to the garden foliage and a foil to the calm, light interior.

Photography by Morgan O’Donovan