Project Type: Family home refurbishment in Kew Gardens
Location: Kew Gardens, London
Scope of Work:
Entire House Refurbishment/Renovation
Ground Floor Full‑Width Rear Extension
Full Footprint New Basement
Loft Redevelopment with New Roof Structure
Bespoke Joinery
Kew Gardens Home, TW9
Located just moments from the historic botanic gardens, this Victorian detached house was reimagined as a bright, forever home for a family of five. Returning from overseas, our clients wanted to transform a previously altered, piecemeal building into a practical and light-filled sanctuary. By adding a full-width rear extension, a full-footprint basement, and a complete loft redevelopment, we significantly increased the living space while staying true to the home's period character. The result is a refined family residence that balances classical Victorian elegance with clean, contemporary finishes.
Our Role:
Concept Design
Planning Applications / Permissions
Architectural Design and Design Detailing
Interior Spatial Design
Bespoke Joinery (Design & Manufacture)
Build Project Management
Contract Administration
The Brief
The vision for this Kew Gardens property renovation was to create a comfortable and resilient home that could keep up with the demands of a modern family with three children. Our clients felt limited by the existing dark, disjointed layout and needed a space that offered both togetherness and clever storage solutions. The brief called for a large open-plan kitchen and family room with a hidden walk-in pantry, a dedicated home gym, and a practical boot room for cleaning up after rugby and bike rides. Above all, the home needed to feel calm yet practical, with natural light drawn deep into every floor.
GROUND FLOOR FULL-WIDTH REAR EXTENSION
The ground floor was reconfigured to create rooms that work as well for after-school homework as they do for busy social gatherings. We designed the full-width extension with an impressive 3.3-metre ceiling height to create a sense of airy volume. The heart of the home is the open-plan kitchen, which features a large walk-in pantry that can be closed off to keep the space feeling tidy. Alongside the main family room, we integrated a designated playroom and study, ensuring the layout can adapt as the children grow and the family's needs change.
Family Spaces Designed to Evolve
We wanted the design to remain honest to the home’s period character while introducing a fresh, contemporary scale. Throughout the house, we restored and introduced classical panelling, decorative cornices, and dado rails, balancing these heritage features with a clean, tonal colour palette. On the ground floor, oversized herringbone flooring nods to the Victorian architecture but with a modern proportions. To ensure the home stays warm and efficient for years to come, we also completed a full thermal upgrade to the external walls and replaced every window with bespoke hardwood sash windows.
A Modern Take on Victorian Heritage
PERIOD REFURBISHMENT & INTERIOR DETAILING
A CONTINUOUS 3-STOREY STAIRCASE
The staircase was completely redesigned to become a focal point that connects all four levels of the home. We replaced the original, heavy Victorian spindles and chunky posts with a continuous oak handrail and minimal steel spindles. This seamless design allows the eye to travel uninterrupted from the top floor down to the basement, making the core of the house feel much more open. To add warmth and a pop of colour, we fitted a delicately patterned Roger Oates stair runner, which perfectly complements the oak finishes and the home's vibrant, refined feel.
A Seamless, Light-Filled Staircase
Adding a New Lower Level for Wellbeing
BASEMENT EXCAVATION
We significantly increased the home's footprint by excavating a new basement level that spans the entire width of the house. To avoid a dark basement feel, we installed walk-over skylights in the garden and ground floor to pull natural sunlight down into the new rooms. This floor is dedicated to the family’s wellbeing and hobbies, housing a private home gym, a study, and a cosy media room. It also features a large utility room and a practical boot room with its own side entrance.
The first floor was redesigned to offer a sense of calm and luxury for the parents. We reconfigured the layout to create a dedicated primary suite, featuring a spacious bedroom, a walk-in dressing room, and a large en-suite bathroom.
At the top of the house, we carried out a complete loft redevelopment to turn a previously underused attic into two bright, airy bedrooms. This involved a significant structural project to install a new roof structure with two rear dormers and one front dormer. This architectural change drastically increased the usable floor space and ceiling heights, creating high-quality rooms that feel like a natural part of the house. These elevated spaces offer the children their own sense of independence, while the new continuous staircase ensures they remain closely connected to the rest of the family home.
A New Standard for Serene Family Spaces
LOFT REDEVELOPMENT & NEW ROOF STRUCTURE
The Result
The result is a coherent, light-rich home that flows effortlessly from the new basement up to the master suite. Every detail, from the bespoke joinery to the hidden storage, was designed to make family life feel easier and more organised. Hamilton King led the project from concept through to delivery, including planning applications, architectural detailing, interior spatial design, and build project management.
Photographer: Chris Snook
Videographer: Ryan Say