WORDS ALEXANDRA PRATT
PHOTOS SIMON BURT PHOTOGRAPHY
Richard and Tory Benson had been looking to upsize to cater for their growing family. Location was key to their search. The couple wanted to stay in their preferred area of north London to raise their two daughters, as it’s close to both transport links and the countryside to enjoy family walks.
However, they soon realised their only option in the area was to buy an existing property and substantially remodel it by adding a large extension to the rear and redesigning the interior layout.
“There weren’t many houses to suit us,” says Richard. “But this property had an amazing feel and we knew we could transform it into what we needed, which was a family home.” The pair felt ready to take on a big project and agreed that a renovation was the best way forward. “It was still a cheaper option than a move-in-ready house, and we knew we would’ve changed the property anyway.”
Challenges ahead
It took the family two years to move into their home after securing the house. The first year, the Bensons found themselves waiting for the property chain to move forward – they had to sell their dwelling and the previous owner had yet to find somewhere to buy.
READ MORE
Purchase options below
Find the complete article and many more in this issue of
Build It
-
June 2018
If you own the issue,
Login to read the full article now.
Single Digital Issue
June 2018
|
|
|
€4,49
|
|
|
This issue and other back issues are not included in a new Build It subscription. Subscriptions include the latest regular issue and new issues released during your subscription.
Annual Digital Subscription
Only €
2,42 per issue
|
SAVE
46%
|
|
€28,99
|
|
|
About Build It
Find the advice & inspiration you need to build or renovate your dream home, including:
- Cover house... a charming vernacular new home in the countryside
- Specifying sustainable building materials
- Design ideas for listed buildings
- Can smart homes be hacked?
- Self-building for profit
... and more!