Case Study
Discover how intentional planning can reshape the way you design, build and live in your home.
1) Introduction: The Shurlock Row Case Study
Learning how to plan your renovation starts long before any walls move.
Stephanie and James, the owners of our Shurlock Row project, already loved their home but the layout never supported the way they lived.
The light stopped in the wrong places and the rooms did not connect.
They wanted to understand what was possible before they spoke to builders or architects.
If you’re planning work on your home, this is for you. The Before You Build stage shows you how to plan your renovation with clarity, helping you step back, see the bigger picture and make decisions that genuinely feel right. Read on as we go behind the scenes of Shurlock Row’s build and show you how it all comes together.
2) Seeing the Whole Picture
At our first meeting, Stephanie and James planned to begin with the living room. Once I walked through the house, it became clear that the whole layout needed attention. Improving one room would not fix the wider flow.
This stage considers how you live each day. It looks at movement, natural light, sight lines, and the feeling of each space. An architect can draw a 2D layout. My role is to interpret the home in real life with all the small details that shape comfort.
By stepping back and looking at everything together, we avoid the common trap of creating a new problem while fixing another.
3) Designing for Flow and Feel
The front hallway felt dark. The staircase overpowered the space. The first view from the door was the toilet. The kitchen and dining areas were reversed. The living room felt hidden.
So we began by rethinking the entire ground floor, putting flow at the heart of every decision.
The result?
• The view now leads straight to the garden
• The kitchen sits at the centre of the home
• The boot room, pantry and utility now connect in a calm and practical way
The aim was not only to correct the layout but to shape how the home feels. These moves softened the journey through the house and created a steady sense of ease.
How to plan your renovation starts with the Before You Build stage, helping you align both function and emotion before selecting colours, materials, or finishes.
4) Future-Proofing the Home
Upstairs had its own challenges. Long corridors and oversized bathrooms did not support everyday life. The layout lacked balance.
We reshaped the space so the calm of the new ground floor extended upstairs. The en suite became a walk-through dressing room. The landing opened up. The movement between rooms felt natural.
These early decisions prevent costly changes later. They set the foundations for a home that grows with you, which was key to our brief.
5) Turning Ideas into a Clear Plan
Once Stephanie and James saw their new layout on paper, everything settled. They could picture how they would move through each space and how the light would shift during the day. They understood how the home would support family life.
This is the value of planning your renovation with intention. It gives you a roadmap that explains not only how your home looks but how it works, too.
6) Reflection
Working with Stephanie and James showed how powerful the Before You Build process can be when you are thinking about how to plan your renovation. Once they understood the purpose of stepping back, they let the process guide them. The changes created a home that felt calm, lived in and personal.
Stephanie later shared, “We have a home that works for us, a home that reflects who we are and allows us to raise our family in a comfortable and loving environment. It is the family home I always wanted”.
That is the aim. Time to think. Space to plan. A layout that feels right from the moment you step inside.
7) Ready to take the next steps?
If you want clarity on how to plan your renovation, you can get in touch to talk through your home. It starts with a simple conversation.
For more information, visit Before You Build, book a Feasibility and Space Planning Consultation or take a look at the completed Shurlock Row project.
Curious if Kate Lovejoy is the right interior designer for your home? Discover more in our interview with the Society of British and International Interior Design here.