Words: Kate Thompson, Photos: Charlotte Griffiths.
In life, timing and patience is everything. Designer Mark Burnell and Deputy Principal Emily Pountney discovered both would play a major part in the success of the transformation of their mid-terrace Victorian home just off Albert Road in Southsea.
“Every time I walk through the front door I’m struck by how much I love our home,” declared Emily. And it’s easy to see why!
Having lived quite happily in the x3 bedroom home for nearly 20 years, the couple decided to take the plunge and make it into their forever home.
“We bought it originally because we wanted a large garden and to be close to the centre of Southsea – it was our first house together,” explained Emily. She was pregnant with their son Max, and when daughter Ruby came along, the family home was complete.
“We wanted a home where the kids could access schools nearby and make friends with local kids,” she said.
While the proximity to schools was perfect and the garden perfectly lovely, the layout of the house left much to be desired with awkward dog legs and under utilised space.
“Having lived here for so long we could see how the house could be if we just made the most of the space,” said Mark.
The planning process proved tricky at first. There were knock backs and negotiations to be done so that neighbours were happy with the plans and it took close to five years to secure planning approval.
In the end they got the consent they needed and now realise that the compromise they reached with neighbours resulted in a much better design for them.
“If it hadn’t been for one of our neighbours’ concerns, we would never have taken the level down, and now I absolutely love the split level that takes you from the kitchen to the garden room,” said Emily.
Undertaking a major, disruptive construction project during the pandemic might not seem on the face of it to be the best timing but it turned out being confined to their home meant Mark and Emily were on site to deal with any questions.
“It was such a weird time anyway with home schooling and both Mark and I working from home. It allowed us to be really involved in the process and while it was disruptive, the whole process was really positive,” said Emily.
Mark brought his design skills to the fore, adapting architect’s plans and providing the builders with a detailed brief for each room.
“I really enjoyed the whole process and it worked so well. The builders turned up each day and went straight to the back of the house and got on with the work, while we made the best of the rest of the space,” said Mark.
Eight months of building work resulted in the dream home they had always wanted. Light, bright and inviting, you are drawn from the front door towards the rear of the property and the kitchen which leads onto the split-level garden room.
By going out to the full width of the plot and creating a party wall with one neighbour, they have made the most of the space. Clever use of the asymmetric roof and lighting, adds interest and drama.
The couple’s keen eye for design means the rooms flow. A colour scheme has been developed that is pleasing on the eye and quirky. Joyful patterned tiles lift the kitchen and are repeated on a bolder scale in the nearby shower room.
“We knew exactly what we wanted and we got that. It was such a collaborative and positive experience. By working together with our neighbours, the architects and crucially the builders, we ensured there no surprises and we got the result we wanted,” added Emily.
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