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Statement main staircase
A three metre-high stained glass window
floods the brand new central staircase,
which replaces three remote individual
staircases.
The original, garish 1970s window has been
replaced by a design inspired by a leadlight
piece seen in a Japanese museum by
gpad's Technical Director Jeremy Wiggins.
It was handmade by Tenby & Penny Co. Ltd
in Walthamstow Village.
The staircase handrail is entirely made
of timber, spray painted by a classic car
specialist to achieve an opulent sheen.
Wood flooring throughout the house is
made of Merton Oak.
Kitchen
To bring the outside in, new 20mm frame glazing by Sky-Frame was specified
for the back wall of the garden-facing kitchen. Replacing the old-style
casement windows, this ensures the occupiers can enjoy their garden even
from indoors. gpad decided to keep the unusual, low yet wide window by
the sink. The interplay between the window and the rectangular elements in
the kitchen – the joinery, dining table and breakfast bar – combined with the
natural textures in earthy shades, give the room a sense of movement.
Jeremy Wiggins says: “In this line of work it is a little heartbreaking to see a
beautiful period house fallen on hard times. The best reward comes when you
can make it fit for a family to live in whilst supporting local artisan makers in
the process, such as the Walthamstow-based family business who made the
stained glass window.
The project was not without its challenges, however – a Network Rail tunnel
three metres away from the basement extension forced us to rethink the
basement plan, which serendipitously resulted in a more efficient layout.”
Owner Adam Andrews explains: “This is not just another ostentatious house
with a mega basement. It would have been far easier to knock down a building
and start from scratch than the riskier and more detailed process of holding up
an existing building whilst putting a basement in. From the outside it's lovely,
Edwardian, double-fronted and with all original features kept. Yet when you
come in you have all these things you'd find in a house with an eight-figure
price tag. I especially love the carlift; you just press a button to lift a curtain,
and you see your beautiful classic car behind a glass, like a museum piece.”