Adding a loft's the easy bit. Building a staircase to reach it can be a real design challenge. 

On an incredibly tight 30ft-square plot, this London house packs an enormous punch with its bright interior spaces and clever detailing.

Wonder-material cork was the ideal renovation choice for a young family who needed more space in their Victorian two-up two-down.

Imagination, guts and a great team is what it took to transform this period terrace house in north London into a glassy, glamorous yet practical family home for the proud new parents of twins.

The couple who founded the Landmark Trust filled their homes with romantic treasures, including classic paintings, ceramics and silverware.

Circular motifs, cut-through holes between floors and tables suspended in mid air also feature in this fun, new workspace in London Fields.

Developers wanted to demolish a damp, rat-infested old chapel in Deptford. A skilled carver and gilder saw its potential for salvation.

An über-modern, computer-cut, slatted staircase takes centre stage, looks sublime and creates family space in a Victorian terrace house in Stokey. It was worth sacrificing the grand, sweeping original.

A British couple wanted to recreate the open, sunny feel of their former home in Oz at their two-bedroom Victorian cottage in south London. They brought in the light — and added almost £900k to its value.