A change in construction teams meant works got off to a slow start, but Kirsty & David Sanders have completely transformed their Victorian terrace into a stunning light-filled modern abode

WORDS VICTORIA JENKINS PHOTOS FRASER MARR

Kirsty and David Sanders had just spent an enjoyable 18 months renovating their Victorian terraced house in Richmond, Surrey when her father suddenly threw a spanner into the works. “He’s in the property business,” says Kirsty. “He pointed out that our home would never look as good as it did then ever again, so why not capitalise on that by selling up and buying something bigger.”

It’s true that, while the property was big enough for the two of them, the loft conversion was a bit cramped. But, since the couple had only been married for three years at the time, they could have been forgiven for resting on their laurels. However, when a bigger house with six bedrooms suddenly turned up for sale a few streets away – another Victorian terrace in a quieter residential setting near Kew Gardens – Kirsty thought there was no harm in taking a look. “It’s in a conservation area; very green,” she says. “Of course, I loved it as soon as I stepped inside the place.”

The new rear extension brings in plenty of light to the reworked living space

”We love our home because we were able to create a space that truly reflects our tastes”

This property was more substantial than their former worker’s cottage and was square-fronted in red brick. “It dates from the 1890s and I loved the size of the entrance hall, the front door and the southfacing garden,” says Kirsty. “Even the loft conversion didn’t feel like a loft conversion. It was just a lovely, solid family home.” Although the current owners had been living there for several years, Kirsty didn’t think enough had been made of the space – it needed refreshing and overhauling. It took nine months for the couple to buy it and move in, as two broken chains meant the sale of their own house fell through twice. “Our offer had been accepted but we had to go back three times to the owners to convince them to hold on and sell to us,” Kirsty says. “We actually hand-wrote two letters pleading with them. For a good while it was very touch and go.”