Just four months after settling into their new home in Chiddingfold, the clients approached us with a clear ambition, to shape a home that would not only meet the practical needs of daily life, but also support and enrich the way their family lives, relaxes, and comes together. The house offered generous potential, and together we began exploring how best to unlock it.
At the heart of the brief was the desire for a light-filled, open-plan space where the whole family could gather, whether that’s making breakfast on a busy weekday morning, hosting a lively Sunday lunch with friends, or relaxing on the sofa in the evening. The new kitchen, dining and day room will become the central hub, flowing naturally out into the garden through large glazed doors that invite in light and fresh air. It’s a space designed for ease and togetherness, big enough for an 8–10 seat dining table, a generous sofa, and a kitchen that encourages both cooking and conversation.
Practical needs were also high on the agenda. A boot room and utility space will keep the everyday clutter of family life behind the scenes, while a tucked-away home office offers a quiet spot for focused work. The garage will be repurposed to accommodate a home gym and storage, ensuring that every square metre of the house supports the family’s routines and rhythms. A new side entrance and garden access point will make coming and going, whether from the school run or weekend gardening, more fluid and functional.
Family home in Chiddingfold
Upstairs, the focus turns to personal space and flexibility. A new principal bedroom suite will offer a quiet retreat, complete with a walk-through layout that connects sleeping, bathing, and dressing spaces in a way that feels calm and intuitive. The layout has been carefully arranged so that, even as needs change over time, the home can adapt, with the option to include a smaller bedroom or nursery within the new footprint.
Importantly, the children’s rooms will remain untouched, preserving their sense of familiarity and comfort. A new family bathroom and enlarged en-suite bring added comfort and convenience, while subtle changes to circulation, such as a new doorway off the landing — make the house feel more connected, more whole.
Outside, the family are planning spaces to enjoy together, from an outdoor dining terrace for sunny summer meals to an in-and-out driveway that makes daily routines that bit easier. The material choices and details are being shaped to reflect the surrounding homes and the character of the house itself, but always with an eye on sustainability, comfort and future living.
This is a home that’s being thoughtfully reimagined not just to look better, but to feel better, to support the busy, joyful, ever-evolving life of the family who live there.
Project status: Detail Design
| Client | Private |
| Location | Surrey |
| Project type | Private house refurbishment and enlargement |
| Architects | George and James |
| Services | Refurbishments & Extensions |
