The House That Opens Up: A Hidden World Behind a Classic Victorian Front
Most Victorian house extensions follow the set formula of a side return and mansard loft, but there is nothing expected about what awaits in the Battersea home of architect Catriona Cantwell and her husband Stuart George, a strategy consultant. ‘The front is a typical semi-detached house but as you walk towards the back, it’s like Doctor Who’s Tardis. The main L-shaped space is a completely different world,’ says Stuart, of the kitchen and new open-plan living-dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, which both wrap around the courtyard garden. ‘Trina talks about how good architecture and well-designed places make you feel better, and it’s true of this house.’
Catriona, who lived in Sydney many years ago and was influenced by mid-century modern architecture in the indoor-outdoor design, agrees. ‘It’s a good mood house. There’s something about the light and the connection to the outside that is uplifting.’ Essentially, the couple wanted ‘a really easy home to live in,’ with plenty of space for Stuart’s teenage sons who stay part of the time. Nothing in the house had been updated since the 1980s but the kitchen was really falling apart, so, when they bought it in early 2020, it was the first room they tackled, lowering the floor and adding a glass box to the outer edge. Five years on, it’s still one of Catriona’s favourite spots. ‘There’s a chair in the corner of the kitchen and it seems to get any bit of sun in the sky, whatever the season. If I want to have a coffee or sit down for 10 minutes, that’s where I go.’
At the same time, a utility and wet room were added onto the side. ‘My two criteria for buying somewhere in this part of London were that it had to be close to the river and a park for walking our cocker spaniel, Coco,’ says Stuart. ‘This house ticks both those boxes. The wet room is practical because we come in through the side gate and in winter, can wash all the mud off her straight away.’ The pair completely refurbished the rest of the house, retaining and reinstating period features: from cornicing and picture rails to choosing a monochrome floor tile for the hall that nods to the traditional chequered pattern of the past. Upstairs, the loft is now an ensuite dressing room. ‘We couldn’t put a mansard in because we’re on the end of the street, in a conservation area, so decided to make it a useable space rather than an attic,’ explains Catriona.
By far the most impactful alteration though, is the new living-dining extension which was added in 2023. ‘We designed the house for us and our lifestyle. We love to have friends around and to entertain. People generally hang out in the living space and, with the kitchen to the side, I don’t have anyone getting in my way while I’m cooking but I can still be part of what’s going on,’ says Catriona. This also means that the original double reception room is now multi-purpose, with the front section snug often used as a guest bedroom, and a back office that can also be a playroom. ‘Last weekend we had friends and their children staying in the house, eight people in total, and it worked really well. The house is like an accordion; it expands and contracts as we need.’
For Stuart, the acoustics of the timber beams in the living-dining room make it the perfect place for listening to jazz on a Sunday morning. ‘Relaxing on the sofa, looking out onto the serene garden is about as good as life gets,’ he confirms. ‘Outside it’s a little sun-trap and not overlooked so I also try to sit out there as much as possible. We can open all three sets of doors so it becomes one space.’ Having made the house exactly as they like it, there’s no doubt that leaving will be a wrench – especially as the area has a strong community vibe. ‘I’ve never experienced such a wonderful road,’ says Catriona, who cites downsizing and wanting a change as reasons behind the move. ‘We have street parties but also, if anyone has a parcel to take in or needs a screwdriver, it goes on the group whatsapp and within minutes, someone helps. Everyone really looks out for each other and I don’t think you find that often in a big city.’ It seems it’s time then, for someone else to experience the surprise layout behind the front door.
View the full listing of this Battersea Victorian home for sale
