Bringing an extension to life with Making Spaces

Creating a sense of space, bringing the outside in, and giving the building an organic feel were the principles that drove the project, and our antique brass switches, sockets and hardware all played their part.

Watch our interview with Karen above, or keep scrolling to read the highlights.

'My approach to interior design involves working alongside the clients to investigate their life and their families lives.

'That can include what they enjoy doing at home, what they enjoy doing outside of home, the way they move around their space at home and trying to create a space that supports all their life choices and gives them a sense of well-being.

'When I first met this client, she was keen to have the deVol Sebastian Cox kitchen you can see here and it kind of sets the theme for the rest of the space. We wanted a wide floor plank to give a sense of space on the floor and a clean line.

‘The other big part of the design process from my point of view is the spatial planning of a project. And that’s not just the main services and the main areas, I actually position planting as part of the design.

‘If there's a corner of a room, there will undoubtedly be a massive plant in that corner to soften that edge as there is right there. Adding greenery to a space makes it feel natural.

‘The fact that we've got this floor to ceiling glazing across almost two whole walls means we are literally inviting the outside in, and the garden was landscaped at the same time as this extension. That meant we could consider landscaping levels and what materials outside would connect with the materials on the inside.

‘With the architectural details, we knew we were going to have quite a lot of switches and sockets because it's a functioning space, and because these are often eye line switches and dimmers, they needed to be something that was nice to look at, nice to touch, and nice to feel.

‘And it’s a treat to you and to the house to focus on those extra little details. It's those tiny details that really elevate a space.

‘We chose antique brass sockets and switches originally to tie in with the Quooker boiling water tap we've got in the kitchen.

‘It’s got a very natural feel, and it ages and changes over time just like we do, just like our houses do. For those reasons it felt more organic and more befitting of the space.’

Published on 16th July 2025