Transforming an Arts & Crafts Home in Clent: A Luxury Renovation Journey 🏡✨

Some houses don't need reinventing.

They simply need understanding.

When we first viewed this Arts & Crafts home in Clent, we knew there was something special hiding beneath years of alterations and neglect.

Rear Elevation - Jan 2026

What it lacked wasn't character.

It lacked a little love.

Like many period homes, years of piecemeal alterations had left the property feeling tired, disconnected and no longer suited to modern family life.

The challenge wasn't to change what made the house special.

The challenge was to reveal it again.

🌿 the vision

From the outset, we knew this wasn't a project about creating the biggest extension possible.

It was about creating a home that felt as though it had always been this way.

A home that respected its heritage whilst embracing modern family living.

Working alongside Martin Ball at Atelier 88 Architects, the vision quickly became clear.

The approved design creates a stunning open-plan kitchen and dining space overlooking the garden, alongside a practical utility room, home office and improved flow throughout the property.

Upstairs, the layout evolves to provide a beautiful principal suite complete with dressing room and en-suite, whilst maintaining the generous family accommodation that makes homes like this so special.

But what we love most is what hasn't changed.

Ground floor plans by Atelier 88 Architects

Front elevation plans by Atelier 88 Architects

🪵 Preserving Character Is Often Harder Than Starting Again

One of the greatest misconceptions in renovation is that preserving original features is the easier route.

The reality is often quite the opposite.

The existing staircase remains.

The original proportions remain.

The character of the house remains.

The goal isn't to erase history.

It's to build upon it.

Throughout the property we'll be carefully restoring and enhancing original features whilst introducing bespoke luxury joinery elements that feel entirely at home within the building.

Think:

✨ Bespoke alcove cabinetry

✨ Feature media walls

✨ Custom storage solutions

✨ Internal timber cladding features

✨ Refurbished original joinery

✨ Handcrafted architectural details

The sort of details that quietly elevate a home without shouting about it.

The sort of craftsmanship that improves with age.

📐 Why Working With The Right Architect Matters

One of the reasons we enjoy working with Martin Ball and Atelier 88 so much is that they understand something many people overlook.

Great architecture isn't about creating something that looks new.

It's about creating something that feels right.

Over the years we've worked with Martin on a number of projects, including the recently completed soundproof music studio in Kings Heath. More recently, he successfully secured planning approval for our own home renovation in Clent.

As contractors, we particularly value architects who don't just create beautiful drawings but who understand how buildings actually go together.

The best projects happen when architects and contractors collaborate from the outset.

Ideas become drawings.

Drawings become plans.

Plans become homes.

🪟 Traditional Character Meets Modern Luxury

A huge part of this project is striking the balance between old and new.

We wanted to create a home that feels luxurious without feeling overly modern.

Elegant Crittall-style glazing will help connect spaces and maximise natural light whilst complementing the age and character of the property.

Traditional materials and proportions will sit alongside contemporary detailing.

Original character.

Modern comfort.

Timeless design.

That's the sweet spot.

AI Render - NOT TO SCALE

☀️ The Room We Can't Wait To Build

Every project has one space that captures the imagination.

For us, it's the vaulted room.

A space where the ceiling rises dramatically overhead, creating volume, light and atmosphere.

The sort of room that changes throughout the day as sunlight moves across the walls.

The sort of room that makes you stop and look up.

The sort of room that becomes everybody's favourite place in the house.

It's easy to get caught up talking about square footage, steel beams and planning approvals.

But ultimately, great homes are about how they make you feel.

This room will be a perfect example of that.

First floor layout - by Atelier 88 Architects

AI generated mock up of the master bedroom - NOT TO SCALE

🔨 Building Our Own Home

We've built a lot of extensions and renovations over the years, but this one feels different.

It's ours.

Every decision is being made with exactly the same care and attention we give to our clients' projects.

Perhaps even more.

Because whilst we're proud of every project we complete, this is the house a family will grow up in.

It's where memories will be made.

It's where Christmases will be celebrated.

And that makes every detail matter.

🤝 Giving Credit Where It's Due

We often talk about construction, but projects like this remind us how important great design really is.

Martin's ability to balance modern family living with the character and proportions of the original Arts & Crafts home was one of the key reasons planning approval was secured.

Rather than competing with the existing house, the design complements it.

The extension feels sympathetic.

The alterations feel considered.

The finished result will feel as though it has always belonged.

And that's far harder to achieve than simply building something bigger.

🏡 Luxury Doesn't Always Mean More

There's a tendency today to associate luxury with size.

Bigger kitchens.

Bigger extensions.

Bigger houses.

But true luxury often comes from quality.

From craftsmanship.

From materials that improve with age.

From homes that feel considered rather than excessive.

This project isn't about creating the largest house on the street.

It's about creating a home that feels beautifully resolved.

A home that works harder, lives better and celebrates everything that made us fall in love with it in the first place.

🚧 Watch This Space...

Planning approval has now been secured and work will soon begin.

Over the coming months we'll be documenting the entire journey here on our blog — from demolition and structural works through to bespoke joinery, final finishes and everything in between.

This won't just be another extension.

It's the restoration and reinvention of a beautiful Arts & Crafts home.

And we can't wait to bring you along for the journey.

📱 Follow our progress on Instagram: @loreillycarpentry

📧 Thinking about your own renovation or extension project? Get in touch to arrange a survey.

— L.O'Reilly Carpentry & Joinery