Hill Drive, Hove

The Project

We were approached by our clients, after they recently moved into the property, to create ideas for an improved configuration of the ground floor living spaces. They wanted a more open plan home that better suited their young modern family going into the future. Careful and considered planning of the spaces was required to design the home to meet the needs and wants of the family. As is often the case, the property had been extended and modified several times over the years, with mixed results, which presented challenges that demanded well thought-out and sensible solutions to complete the project within budget.

As a growing family, our clients had a particular requirement for a suitable amount of storage – an area of design that can often be overlooked. We achieved this by prioritising clever storage solutions within the boot room, utility room and garage store. Consideration also had to be given to the connection to these service spaces of the home. So, a new porch space across the front of the property was added to act as a link between the service wing of the house and the living areas.

Photographs: Jim Stephenson

Project Details

Design Challenge

Hoping to marry contemporary design with traditional touches, our clients wished to achieve a high standard of finish in a subtle way. It was also clear that the kitchen/dining/living space was to become a focal point for the entire family to spend valuable time together throughout all parts of the day. This is a common desire for many of our clients, and an ethos in designing a home we feel strongly about.

It was essential to draw in lots of natural light from the rear of the property. This also allowed us to use the elevated position from Hill Drive to channel a view down to the sea. At first floor level, a new master bedroom wing was added, complete with a beautiful ensuite bathroom and built-in dressing room, taking full advantage of this view. Another feature, of the upstairs, is a laundry space situated closer to the bedrooms and family bathroom than the traditional utility room. It makes perfect sense considering this is where most of the laundry comes from!