1930s 3 Bed Semi Alterations

1930s 3 Bed Semi Alterations

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Discussion

allgonepetetong

Original Poster:

1,188 posts

218 months

Saturday 18th April 2009
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Hi All

I own a traditional 1930s 3 bed semi and would like to make better use of the downstairs living space.

The wall separating what used to be the lounge and dining room has been removed to create a through - lounge, and an extension has been built to the rear of the property which extends 10feet into the garden which contains the kitchen and a breakfast area. The original kitchen is now being used as a utility room. All chimney breasts still exist.

We have a driveway 7ft wide running the full length of the house on the side of the old kitchen which we could also extend into (next door have done this).

I am considering removing the chimney breast in what used to be the dining room to create some more space and removing it in the room above so that fitted wardrobes can be installed in that bedroom. We would like to retain the chimney breast in the front room.

My first thoughts are of an open plan downstairs with the back of the original house flowing into the new extension and opening out the old kitchen / utility room and moving the white goods to the kitchen, but am unsure how this would feel.

Has anyone else done this or what alterations did you make to your 1930s semi?

Looking forward to your ideas

thanks

Barry

Edited by allgonepetetong on Saturday 18th April 08:38

VxDuncan

2,850 posts

233 months

Saturday 18th April 2009
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My place (again '30s 3 bed semi), sounds very similar - front room knocked into back, kitchen extended into garden and chimney breast removed in rear rooms. If I understand you correctly you want to knock the through lounge/dining room into the kitchen diner to make what's probably an L-shaped single (ish) room downstairs. Couple of people have suggested I do this. I'm not sure - for one thing I don't want to remove another wall downstairs as tbe house has been altered quite a bit already and don't want to change the structure any further. There's also the issue of walls in the kitchen - do you have enough space for wall cabinets etc? If anything I'd extend backwards not knock walls through. A 10-12ft extension along the back of the house would be great.

One of the problems I have is where to put furniture / sofas etc in the living room, removing walls makes things worse! Plan where you'd put the furniture as well as the walls! Having the rear chimney breast removed is a major plus though (although mine was left unsupported...). Loads of extra room, esp in the back bedroom. Considered removing the chimney breast in the front room also. Might still do.

I guess the thing to do is see what space you use, where you need extra space etc. I wouldn't make mods just for the sake of it. I think everybody knows the layout of the 30's semi, change it too much and it can be a bit odd. Change 'em too much and you might as well move somewhere more modern.

allgonepetetong

Original Poster:

1,188 posts

218 months

Thursday 23rd April 2009
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Thanks Duncan, does anyone else have any suggestions?

cjs

10,694 posts

250 months

Thursday 23rd April 2009
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My only issue with open plan living is if you have a family, or are attempting to sell to a family.

If you are going to extend then may be it would be better to create another room, somewhere the kids could go and watch TV or do homework, or somewhere you could go to hide!

Will a bigger open plan house actually add any value? Will you get back what you spend when you come to sell. Will it put off potential buyers who have a family and want rooms?

Vee

3,094 posts

233 months

Saturday 25th April 2009
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allgonepetetong said:
Hi All

I own a traditional 1930s 3 bed semi and would like to make better use of the downstairs living space.

We have a driveway 7ft wide running the full length of the house on the side of the old kitchen which we could also extend into (next door have done this).

My first thoughts are of an open plan downstairs with the back of the original house flowing into the new extension and opening out the old kitchen / utility room and moving the white goods to the kitchen, but am unsure how this would feel.

Has anyone else done this or what alterations did you make to your 1930s semi?
We're a young family & went through the same thoughts you did about 18 months ago.
1930s semi with plenty of space around it.
We extended out to the side (the full length of the house, 2 stories) and across the back.
Garage at the front and an extra bathroom and bedroom upstairs.
Previously, downstairs we had one room at the front alongside a hallway. A the back used to be a room and next to it a kitchen.
The front room was left alone. At the back we went down the open plan route.
The engineer threw in some complications like padstones all over the place to hold up the steelwork.
The council then insisted on brick piers and joists in the extended areas instead of a concrete floor. Celltex(sp) in the ceilings and floors menas the insulation is fantastic - of the 4 rads, only 2 are ever used.
Having lived in it for the past 9 months there is a drawback.
We both work and our boy is 3 so the house can end up a tip during the week - being open plan means it is seldomn tidy for long.
On the other hand - having space is good - basically one big family room. It makes the most of the extension and works for us . . . . but won't be for everyone
Most important thing imo is enough extraction to get rid of cooking smells.









Edited by Vee on Saturday 25th April 22:30

benjdr

189 posts

201 months

Sunday 26th April 2009
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Got any pictures of the lintel?

Vee

3,094 posts

233 months

Sunday 26th April 2009
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benjdr said:
Got any pictures of the lintel?
Presumably you mean the one above the doors ?
No pics but I remember my builder saying it was something he had to order especially, although it was only £200 or so. He called it a Catnic (sp) ?

benjdr

189 posts

201 months

Sunday 26th April 2009
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Yeah, ours is a catnic. Catnic are part of Corus.
I just wanted to see yours because it looks fooking huge.