Adding an extension to a period home is one of the decisions homeowners worry about most. Here's what I learned from doing it to my own Edwardian semi - including the planning dispute, the design choices, and what I'd do differently.

You’ve bought the period property of your dreams and moved in, but now realise that the Victorian charm you fell in love with is hiding below many layers of (probably leaded) paint, peeling wallpaper and layouts that aren’t practical for modern family life.