Double-up

The Bradstocks transformed their bungalow into a family home on the smallest of budgets, thanks to Adam’s relentless work ethic and Karla’s endless patience

WORDS JANE CRITTENDEN PHOTOS JAMES FRENCH

THE BRADSTOCK FILE

NAMES Adam Karla Bradstock

OCCUPATIONS Builder and landscape designer client relationship manager

LOCATION Felbridge, Surrey

TYPE OF BUILD Renovation extension

STYLE Arts Crafts

CONSTRUCTION METHOD Timber frame

PROPERTY COST £375,000

HOUSE SIZE 211m² (original bungalow 97m²)

PROJECT COST £200,000

PROJECT COST PER M2 £948

BUILDING WORK COMMENCED January 2011

BUILDING WORK TOOK Five years

CURRENT VALUE £800,000

Adam and Karla Bradstock bought their detached bungalow in May 2010 after a long search. Th ey were after more space and a bigger garden, so it’s no wonder that the third of an acre this property offered was too hard to resist. “Adam disappeared into the back garden before the estate agent had even arrived,” says Karla recalls. “He returned with a grin on his face, so I knew we’d be putting an offer in.”

Th e dwelling was more expensive than their initial £300,000 budget, plus it needed a lot of work doing to it. However, this didn’t put the couple off as Adam already had big plans up his sleeve. “Although it looked pretty ugly, it was built from a good masonry shell; I simply thought it made sense to turn it into a house,” says Adam. “We had no idea if we’d get planning as, although there’s no street scene to maintain, the property is flanked by bungalows.”

Before

Complete reworking

Adam (who runs a construction and landscaping company) has a degree in garden design and prepares drawings for clients, which rather handily meant the couple didn’t need to employ an architect for the project. Th e Bradstocks drew on their fondness for the solid craftsmanship and architecture of the Arts Crafts period to come up with a plan. Th ey also turned to local National Trust property, Standen (a place they often visit) for inspiration. “We took elements we liked from this celebrated 1890s house and brought these ideas loosely into our own home,” says Adam. “Although not the classic steep roof pitch associated with the look, our apex and finial reflect the period. Th e oak staircase has the wide spindles that echo those within Standen but our design is simplified compared to the true Arts Crafts style.’