C Dearing Carpentry and Construction

Extension project in Porth House, Cornwall

A complete transformation with modern design, luxury finishes, and sustainable upgrades

This project began with the demolition of a poorly designed two-storey extension at the front of the property.

 

The original structure had low ceilings on the ground floor and a dated conservatory/sunroom above, which didn’t make the best use of the space. In its place, we built a striking new extension that not only enhanced the proportions of the home but also introduced a steel cantilevered balcony — adding style, space, and functionality in one.

 

Before we could begin building, we had to tackle the groundworks. Around 100 tonnes of earth were removed to lower the ground level, followed by underpinning the entire front of the house. From there, we installed piles with a concrete ring beam, creating a rock-solid foundation for the new extension to rise from.

 

The extension itself was designed with lifestyle and flexibility in mind. Inside, it included a home office/guest bedroom and a luxury spa suite, complete with a huge walk-in shower, a statement bathtub, and even a sauna — creating a private retreat within the property.

 

Moving inside the main house, the transformation continued. We removed the central load-bearing wall, opening up the living space and replacing the structure with a substantial steel RSJ to ensure strength and safety.

 

Underfloor heating was installed across both the ground and first floors, paired with a stunning parquet-style floor that flowed seamlessly throughout the property and even up both flights of stairs — as captured beautifully in our drone footage.

 

Lighting played a key role in the design. We incorporated high-end bespoke solutions, including low-level wall lights, LED strips to highlight niches in bathrooms, and feature lighting within ceiling details — all carefully planned to add warmth, character, and luxury to the home.

 

Upstairs, all three bedrooms were fully refurbished along with their en-suite bathrooms, giving every space a fresh, modern finish.

 

Externally, the roof was completely stripped and rebuilt with new battens and felt, before installing solar panels connected to a Tesla battery — ensuring the property benefits from renewable energy and lower running costs. Every window in the home was replaced with new, energy-efficient designs, and the front door was upgraded for both style and security. Inside, a beautiful new log burner was added, offering a cosy focal point for the living space.