Category 3: Medium Renovation Projects
Professional residential / domestic restoration, refurbishment or extension costing between £50,000 and £250,000.
Project: Internal and external renovation and extension of a 1960s house to create a contemporary five-bedroom home
Client: Patrick and Elaine Mulvihill
An ex-teacher who switched to building 27 years ago, Kevin Ellis is a true inspiration to the industry. Since setting up Ellis & Hughes, Kevin has employed several ex-pupils and trained up a good number of apprentices over the years. He describes his team as ‘a creative bunch who really love their work,’ and admits this project was really exciting for them because the clients gave them a free rein and allowed their creativity to flow.
In fact, Elaine and Patrick Mulvihill sought the advice of Kevin Ellis of Ellis & Hughes, before even buying their potential new home in Newtown Linford, Leicester. He said it was a solid house in a wonderful location and had great potential. On this recommendation, they exchanged contracts, then set Kevin the challenge of transforming the uninspiring 1960s three bedroom house into a contemporary 5-bedroom family home which would exploit its views over the adjoining parkland.
Elaine describes the transformation as incredible, saying: “From a project which the local Parish Council unanimously objected to originally, we now have people regularly stopping to ask for the name of our architect.”
But Elaine and Patrick did not use an architect. Instead Kevin Ellis responded to the Mulvihill’s demanding wish-list by drawing up plans, liaising with planners and persuading the Parish Council that it would work.
Today this stunning contemporary-style cedar clad home is hardly recognisable as the unattractive, awkwardly laid out house that the Mulvihills bought. Externally, the new cedar cladding both cleverly updates the property’s appearance and complements the brickwork, which includes 6000 discontinued bricks that the builder tracked down to match the existing ones.
On the ground floor, the cramped former living room, dining room and kitchen have made way for a formal living room leading on to an expansive open plan kitchen, dining area and informal sitting area opening on to the garden. The children also have their own playroom. The typical 60s first floor layout, of three bedrooms and family bathroom, has been transformed into four bedrooms with an en-suite and a family bathroom. On the top floor, a dream loft conversion now forms a huge master bedroom suite with feature A-frame windows and balconies front and back.
Despite the extent of the work, the family lived in the house with two young children Isabella, 5, and Cameron, 2, throughout the build. Indeed it was “princess-loving” Isabella who requested the fairy tale balconies from which her parents now enjoy amazing views of a deer park from the front and the fields from the back.
As well as managing the build, Kevin Ellis provided interior design ideas and helped his clients by proposing fixture and fitting options for them to choose from.
“A friend of mine searched high and low for a full-size shower that would fit in her loft extension bathroom. Kevin and his team found a choice of shower options and presented them to me - I simply had to choose,” said Elaine.
The consideration and adaptability shown by Ellis & Hughes turned a potentially stressful period into an enjoyable one for the family, who are now very happy in their inspirational new home.
