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Nestled just outside Rowlands Gill, in a picturesque hamlet known as Hamsterly Mill, stood a timeworn bungalow that didn’t do justice to its breathtaking surroundings. Positioned on a magnificent plot adorned with mature trees and expansive lawns, the home was originally designed and built for a bygone era. Despite its enviable setting, the property had undergone a series of disjointed additions over the past century, leaving it aesthetically dated and functionally disjointed. None of its existing windows took advantage of the stunning panoramic views, and the layout was far from ideal for modern living.

Our challenge was to reinvigorate this tired structure, transforming it into a vibrant family home that embraced the landscape’s natural beauty while preserving the character of the original property. At the heart of the project was a complete overhaul of the kitchen and patio area—a design that would not only enhance the home’s usability but also create a seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing the homeowners to fully appreciate their scenic setting.

The result? A spacious, light-filled kitchen that opens onto an elegant patio, perfectly framing the lush green vistas. The new kitchen layout has been designed to meet the client’s needs for style and functionality, incorporating modern features that maintain a timeless elegance in keeping with the existing structure. Large bi-fold doors and well-positioned windows maximize natural light and ensure the home now truly makes the most of its spectacular surroundings.

As with many of our projects, this journey began with our Needs and Options Review, a service that allows us to work closely with our clients to explore a variety of floor plan options and styles through an in-depth mood board process. By taking the time to understand our client’s vision and practical needs, we were able to create a tailored design that aligned perfectly with their tastes and budget.

Now nearing completion, with only the kitchen worktops and minor snagging left to address, the clients are thrilled with the outcome. They’ve commended our team at Acre Design for delivering a well-organized and smoothly run project, and they’ve also praised Tynesight Construction, the excellent contractor we partnered with, for their exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail.

If you’re considering a renovation or extension and want to explore design possibilities before committing to a full-service architectural package, our Needs and Options Review might be the perfect starting point. We have successfully guided over 1,000 clients through this process since our establishment in 2014, transforming dated properties into dream homes with personalized designs that cater to each unique vision.

Get in touch with Acre Design to learn more about how we can help you realize your dream home, no matter the scale or scope of your project.

Nestled in the heart of Tynemouth, this charming terraced property has been lovingly transformed through a collaborative effort between the clients and our talented team at Acre Design. When we first stepped into the house, it was clear the space had potential, though it felt a bit tired. The small kitchen at the rear of the home didn’t suit the needs of the growing family, leaving the ground floor disconnected and fragmented. Despite these challenges, the location, just a stone’s throw from the sea, was ideal, providing the perfect backdrop for a rejuvenation.

After exploring a range of zoning options and carefully considering the best floor plan, we worked closely with the clients to develop a design that would truly serve their needs. The end result is an open-plan kitchen and dining space that feels light, spacious, and perfect for both family living and entertaining. Whether enjoying a cozy family meal or hosting a lively gathering with friends, the new space offers flexibility and comfort in equal measure.

This project highlights how thoughtful design can completely transform a space, even when it feels restricted by size. If you’ve been dreaming of extending your home or breathing new life into a property but don’t know where to begin, a quick call with Acre Design is a great place to start. Whether you’ve been planning an extension for years or have just purchased a fixer-upper, we’re here to help bring your vision to life. Book in for a chat, and let’s explore the possibilities together!

To the ground floor, the two storey side extension will add a generously sized kitchen, living and dining space which is delightfully open-plan and modern. Four panel bifold doors will draw the eye out to the stunning garden and countryside views and give that feeling of tranquillity that our clients love. One panel will open independently for quick outdoor access. The downstairs space will have sumptuous underfloor heating throughout. In the kitchen there will be an inset range cooker and American fridge freezer, a very large kitchen island with breakfast bar and plenty of high seating and preparation space as well as a stair leading to a glazed wine cellar. In the lounge area the built-in TV, media and display unit with gas fire below will be visible from kitchen so that whoever is cooking can be a part of family life in the lounge too. The comfort and fluidity this space will offer is so exciting.

To the first floor of this home, the two storey extension will enable them to have plenty of new storage, a large family bathroom with walk-in shower, large bath and twin sinks, a stunning master suite with walk-in wardrobe and dressing area and lots more new space upstairs. We designed in a stunning ‘longlight’ window over the stairs to capture that glorious sunshine to the new space and give an open, airy feel. We designed raised timber collar ties, multiple rooflights and plenty of storage for the whole family.

To the exterior, the extension will be set back from face of front elevation, as per current planning guidance. The walls of the extension will be natural larch ‘board & batten’ timber cladding to the first floor and matching new stone to ground floor. The stone building offered our lead architect and design team a real treat to develop a scheme which compliments this stunning finish. The roof will be a natural slate as per existing home, with velux low-profile conservation rooflights.

The windows and doors  will be made from natural timber (or timber-effect) frames to match the timber cladding and the rainwater goods will be striking black aluminium.

Chelmsford Lofts is a stunning new aparthotel in Sandyford. We had the pleasure of being involved in this exciting project. 

Our client came to us wanting to develop a stunningly unique terraced property in the heart of Sandyford. They wanted to create an aparthotel from an end of terrace property. The scheme involved a complete strip out of the property, which needed some major updating an reconfiguration work. We added a three storey rear extension to the rear of the property. This allowed us to double the footprint of the existing building. 

the completed project – now named Chelmsford lofts – has been finished with delightfully high quality furnishings, interior design and amenities. The modern, open plan lofts can be rented whilst customers enjoy a visit to Newcastle upon Tyne. They are situated less than a mile away from Jesmond and very close to the city centre. 

Check out Chelmsofrd Lofts here and book a stay!

Works have now finished on site for a new rear extension in Low Fell, Gateshead. This large 65sqm extension to the rear of an end of terrace house will create an open plan kitchen/ living/ dining area fit for everyday family living.

The house was built before the 1890s and has thick sandstone walls. It neighbours a Grade II listed building which used to be Sir Joseph Swan’s (inventor of incandescent light bulb) house from 1869-1883.

Our design created a large contemporary flat roof extension with an open plan living area. The original scullery has been retained and converted into a utility and downstairs WC.

To compliment the dark tones of the existing sandstone walls the extension is vertically clad in a charred larch. The delightful open plan space is now flooded with light from a large atlas rooflight along with a series smaller rooflights creating a uniformly lit space.

The Monkseaton conservation area has some exceptional period properties with masses of potential to create beautiful character homes designed for modern living. The previous owner of this house hadn’t touched much in the last 50 years.

We worked closely with the new owners to co-create their dream family home. On the ground floor we converted the Coach House into a self contained gîte where the family lived whilst the works were undertaken.

To the main house, the ground floor was extended to provide this stunning apex glazed kitchen diner and living room.

In the loft, matching glazing was adopted to provide one of the most sumptuous master suites we have ever seen, with incredible ensuite and walk in wardrobes.

The clients looked to keep much of the original features and have furnished the home sympathetically with furniture of the period and some beautiful art installations. We are delighted to see this home looking absolutely glorious.

As you can see from the existing floorplans and the proposed, this two storey side and rear extension that we designed is going to totally transform this North Tyneside home for these clients. 

To the ground floor, the extension will replace an old, unusable conservatory. It will add a large new porch entrance hall with a grand staircase. Our design will give the family a new, open plan kitchen, living dining area as well as a downstairs bathroom and shower, a utility room, boot room, playroom and the original sitting room will be an additional snug. There will also be a stunning, covered evening terrace. 

To the first floor, the extension will add two further large bedroom suites, one with an en suite. 

This extension and reconfiguration will make this family home perfect for these clients.

In a prominent street in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, our team were delights to design this stunning bedroom over garage extension along with single storey rear extension. We also designed alterations to modernise and utilise the existing porch, driveway and the entire front elevation. The new kerb appeal is going to be incredible, not to mention the amazing impact the internal changes will have on family life for these clients. 

When these lovely clients purchased this detached, 1950s Whitley Bay home, it hadn’t been touched for decades. The floral carpets and bright orange kitchen were outdated and impractical. The house had already been extended to the side, creating a lovely utility space which we were all keen to hang on to. The upstairs layout just didn’t work at all, though the rooms were really great sizes. 

There will be a large master suite above the garage, with stunning en-suite and walk-in wardrobe space. The kids will have equal sized room (to avoid an arguments). There will also be room for home working, excercising, play, socialising and a fabulous dog washign area after those glorious but sandy beach walks! The utility has been moved and improved. Acoustic insulation and floorboards were designed in to minimise the impact socialising and children’s noise would have on the rest of the family. Underfloor heating was included in this modern, thoughtful design.

Externally, the driveway was also increased and modernised so that it could be easily accessed by two cars. Thee is also ample space for a large family car within the garage. 

Located in a Low Fell conservation area, this contemporary rear extension will create a new family living area to the rear of this property. Featuring large apex glazing, charred timber cladding, the extension will create a contemporary aesthetic whilst complimenting the existing stonework.

There will be a large new kitchen, living and dining area with a stunning vaulted ceiling. Within this will be a stylish, large kitchen island where the family can have casual meals, do homework, socialise and prepare meals. There will be a separate dining room with plenty of space for lots of guests as our clients love to host! The new utility and downstairs en-suite will provide practical storage spaces for those things you’d like to keep hidden from the main living space. 

The new large double garage will mirror the style of the new extension, creating a beautiful harmony between the two buildings. There will be space to park two cars (perfectly sized to comfortably fit the measurements of our clients’ cars) as well as plenty of storage, a separate bike storage room and a large room to be used as a home gym. The large area of glazing to the gym will provide stunning views of the surrounding countryside whilst our clients are working out – perfect!

We have also designed alterations to the main house including replacing the existing dormer. Dormer cheeks and roof to be lined with EPDM membrane and the windows will be replaced with new double glazed windows with glazing bars to match the existing windows. One window will be removed and blocked up in matching materials as this is no longer required within the internal reconfiguration.

On The rise, Darras Hall, Northumberland, properties often provide exceptional opportunity to extend (or even rebuild). The homes are mostly on large plots and were constructed at a time when homes, just like cars and everything else, were just much smaller. Today’s modern family needs and wants more space.

This family wanted enough bedrooms for the kids to have their own, and still some space left over for friends and family to crash when the evening turned to a night. The ground floor came with the usual issues of disjointed family life. The team at Acre Design, worked closely with the clients and came up with a number of workable options to provide the bedroom accommodation that was needed. As well as a layout to the ground floor that brought the family together.

A large open plan space including a stunning kitchen – with pantry and utility off to the side- dining and living space, a gym area, snug room and office to the ground floor. To achieve this, we designed a timber frame, two storey wraparound extension, to encompass the side and rear elevation of this home. The roof was tricky! We came up with a mansard roof design that provided beautiful light wells above the open oak staircase, flooding the open hallway and staircase with light. The clients internal design flair has really set this project off. And Lottie, the miniature golden doodle, is very happy with the underfloor heating.

If you are looking to give your Darras Hall, Northumberland, home some added character and modern style; an open plan extension could be the solution you’ve been searching for. Check out our guides and other projects to see how you could use an open plan extension to transform your home.