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Wealden

£250,000 to £499,999
Nested in the lush countryside of West Sussex, the original house bears its original charm to this day. Whilst charming and full of character, the property suffered from a dark and disproportionally small kitchen and had an outdoor ground floor toilet. The ground floor was remodelled and extended to provide a better functioning space for the family and to create a more engaged relationship between the internal space and the surrounding landscape. By being located in an elevated corner of a large, secluded plot of land encircled by tall mature trees, there was a natural opportunity to introduce more glass into the facades. The extension takes a contemporary pavilion-like form, understated as to not compete with the host property. The new addition graciously complements the original house, its older sibling, taking design cues from its finishes. Long-format linear bricks harmonise with the rusty-red hung tiles, emphasising the horizontal proportions of the new structure, while the oversailing metal-clad roof draws inspiration from the existing leadwork of the original canopy. Expanses of glass, framed in slender aluminium profiles, reflect the vibrant surrounding nature and provide panoramic views of the landscape. At the end of the kitchen, there is a seat snuggled within a frameless oriel window. The walnut and oak kitchen stands out against the backdrop of crisp white walls, enhanced by two large skylights that flood the interior space with natural light.