Case Study: Parkstone House
How Resi’s architectural vision transformed a tired property into a forever family home
Set on a leafy residential street in Poole, moments from the coveted Sandbanks peninsula, Parkstone House is a powerful example of how thoughtful architecture can transform a tired, compromised property into a deeply personal family home. Owned by Abbey and Royce, and shared with their young daughter, this was never intended to be a short-term project. From the outset, it was about creating a forever home - one that balanced light, nature and contemporary living with warmth and individuality.
The original house was, in Abbey’s words, “the quintessential doer-upper.” Structurally tired, poorly laid out and lacking any meaningful relationship with the garden, it was nonetheless in a location the family had long dreamed of living in. Opportunities in this part of Poole are rare and highly sought-after, so when Parkstone House came to market, they saw beyond the peeling surfaces to the potential beneath.
What sold them most was the plot. Unlike many neighbouring homes that had been heavily extended into their gardens, this property retained a generous outdoor space. Rather than sacrificing that greenery, Abbey and Royce wanted to preserve it and unlock the unused space at the side of the house. This decision would define the entire project.
“We actually didn’t intend to take on a project this big at all,” says Abbey. “We were very keen on the area, but in this area, there were only a certain amount of houses that would come on the market. I remember seeing this property on Rightmove and thinking, ‘absolutely not, we cannot do that’, and I scrolled past it. And then a few days later, I was looking at it again and sent it to Royce, as a sort of joke actually… and he really surprised me. He said, ‘I think that’s the one.’”
Working with Resi, one of the UK’s leading home extension companies, the brief was clear: improve flow, maximise light, and create a strong visual connection to the garden, while keeping the outdoor space in proportion to the house. The proposed side extension allowed the internal footprint to expand without eroding the family’s connection to nature, although it did increase planning risk slightly. Still, the reward was worth it. The result is a home where the garden feels like a continuation of the living space rather than an afterthought.
From the main living areas, large openings now frame the garden, allowing light to flood deep into the plan and giving Abbey the sightlines she always wanted - a place where she can sit and unwind while Royce cooks and their daughter plays nearby, all within view. Open-plan living was essential to the family, not just for entertaining but for everyday life, enabling them to be together even when doing different things.
But the transformation was far from straightforward.
The first challenge emerged in the garden itself. Excavation was needed to create a level terrace that would allow the living spaces to step directly outside. Once work began, however, it became clear that the ground was heavy with clay and water. Poor soil conditions meant that extensive drainage systems had to be installed to make the new patio and extension viable – something that could not have been known before technical investigations took place. What might normally have been a simple tie-in to existing drainage became a significant, unplanned cost, quickly absorbing much of the project’s contingency.
Once demolition began inside the house, the extent of the building’s hidden issues became clear. When the floorboards were lifted, the ground-floor joists were found to be badly rotted, likely caused by years of trapped moisture from the high water table beneath the property. Every joist had to be replaced, a major structural intervention that could not have been priced in advance. Once again, the contingency was pushed to its limits.
Rather than compromising on quality, Abbey and Royce made the decision to invest further in the fabric of the building. The house was taken back to blockwork, completely rewired and replastered, ensuring that nothing would need replacing again in a few short years, given that it was a home designed to grow with their family.
Wherever possible, the family took a hands-on role. To protect the new joists and improve airflow beneath the floors, Abbey and Royce excavated rubble and waste themselves, helping both the budget and the long-term health of the building. It was a true labour of love.
The final build cost reflected the scale of the ambition. What began as a £75,000 budget to reach first fix ultimately became a £150,000 investment once the new structure, kitchen and garden works were complete - a figure that reflects both the challenges uncovered and the quality of the final result.
Inside, Parkstone House is defined by bold yet earthy interiors that feel both contemporary and grounded. Abbey’s strong design eye is evident throughout. Rather than following neutral trends, she embraced deep, natural tones - rusty clay hues, warm browns and rich, saturated colours layered over simple, clean backgrounds.
Even north-facing rooms, often overlooked in family homes, were treated as opportunities rather than compromises. By leaning into their naturally softer light, these spaces now offer cool calm in summer and enveloping warmth in winter - rooms designed for reading, resting and retreat.
The bathroom, once the least loved room in the house, has been completely reimagined as a light-filled, serene space - clean, simple and uplifting.
What makes Parkstone House truly special is that every choice, from the way the garden is framed to the colours on the walls, reflects the people who live there. It is a home that supports their rhythms, their family life, and their desire to feel connected - to each other and to the outdoors.
As Abbey says, this was a project that was worth every unexpected twist along the way. Parkstone House isn’t just a transformation of bricks and mortar, but a reflection of a family who chose to invest in something deeply personal - a home that finally matches who they are.
If you’re considering a home extension, visit resi.co.uk to explore the process and book a free, no-obligation advice call with Resi’s in-house team
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