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A seamless extension has magically transformed this1930s house, while leaving its character intact

View of the extension to this 1930s home bookcase, cabinetry, chair, furniture, home, interior design, library, living room, room, shelf, shelving, wall, gray — View of the extension to this 1930s home which holds the kitchen and open plan living area which features lacquered cabinetry, Silestone benchtopa, Malas wood flooring, and a Fifth Avenue Sofa.

View of the extension to this 1930s home ceiling, countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, gray

View of the extension to this 1930s home ceiling, countertop, estate, home, interior design, kitchen, living room, property, real estate, room, window, gray

View of the extension to this 1930s home ceiling, estate, floor, flooring, home, house, interior design, living room, property, real estate, room, window, gray

View of the extension to this 1930s home cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, home appliance, interior design, kitchen, room, white

View of the extension to this 1930s home cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, room, white

View of the extension to this 1930s home ceiling, countertop, home, interior design, kitchen, living room, room, gray

View of the extension to this 1930s home ceiling, dining room, furniture, home, interior design, kitchen, living room, room, table, window, gray

View of the extension to this 1930s home ceiling, countertop, daylighting, dining room, furniture, home, house, interior design, kitchen, room, sash window, table, window, gray

View of the extension to this 1930s home ceiling, home, house, interior design, living room, real estate, room, window, gray

View of the extension to this 1930s home ceiling, floor, home, interior design, living room, property, real estate, room, window, gray

View of the extension to this 1930s home building, cottage, elevation, estate, facade, farmhouse, historic house, home, house, mansion, property, real estate, residential area, roof, siding, villa, window, teal, gray

Design an extension that will look as though it has always been there that was the brief given by the owners of this 1930s house to the designer. But that was instruction for the outside on the inside, there needed to be a concession to modern living.

Architect Philip Porritt of Jasmax says the rear of the house had been unchanged since it was first built. Although this side of the house captured the afternoon sun, there was no living space open to the outdoors just a back door opening onto a few steps and a concrete pad.

"The addition needed to provide a new, open-plan kitchen and family living area that would open to the garden, as well as a laundry and guest bathroom."

Porritt says to ensure the extension would look like part of the original house, he replicated the pitch of the hip roof and mimicked this with a second hip roof above a bay window.

"There was not enough room to provide a hip roof at the same pitch across the whole addition without blocking the existing dormer windows and exceeding height regulations. Consequently, a section of the roof is flat. This echoes an existing flat roof on the house."

Roof tiles, plastered walls and double-hung windows were also replicated to retain the character of the house.

Inside, the living area is flooded with light from a large skylight and bifolding doors that open to a new terrace with glazed pergola.

The owners say they wanted the interior to have a classic modern look the design needed to capture the traditional essence of the house while also providing a crisp, modern aesthetic. To this end, Shaker-style panelled doors and drawers are paired with sleek Silestone and stainless steel benchtops. The custom-designed hood has a French influence that works with the architecture. The kitchen also features a walk-in pantry, and additional storage is provided by plinth drawers within the toe kicks.

View of the extension to this 1930s home ceiling, home, interior design, kitchen, living room, property, real estate, room, window, gray — View of the extension to this 1930s home which holds the kitchen and open plan living area which features lacquered cabinetry, Silestone benchtopa, Malas wood flooring, and a Fifth Avenue Sofa.

Porritt says the design provides several specific areas for the family in addition to the kitchen, including a television viewing area, a window seat overlooking the garden, and a home office with built-in desk.

"Because the pergola is glazed, the terrace is effectively another living area," he says. "The family is now, for the first time, enjoying the full benefit of an indoor-outdoor connection."