HIDDEN treasure

Homeowner Denise turned a tired old house into a space packed with personality, warmth and colour for herself and her guests to enjoy

- SHARON PARSONS

 

 

 

PROFILE

THE OWNER

Denise Brough, a sales manager for a homeware company based in Devon.

THE PROPERTY

A three-bed 1930s house in Dartmouth, Devon.

PROJECT COST

£44,980

For many years, Denise Brough walked past the house she now calls home without even noticing it. Built on an incline with windows perched above street level and the front door sited at the back, the three-storey detached house is unassuming, standing quietly in the busy riverside town of Dartmouth in Devon. Inside, though, it's a very different story: the house sings with jewel-box colours, bold ideas, and assured design touches.

Six years ago that wasn't the case. I was looking for property in the area that I could really put my stamp on,' Denise says. 'Many of my friends have taken on "doer-uppers" with fantastic results, so I wasn't phased by a renovation project. As soon as I walked into this place, I thought, "Oh, hello..."

The townhouse had been a holiday rental for some years and every room was bland and tired. 'In a way that helped because it was like a blank canvas, and it made it easier to envisage what could be achieved,' Denise says. 'Nevertheless, there was much to consider. The main entrance opened into a tiny hall with a dated bathroom and two awkwardly configured bedrooms. Stairs led up to the first floor where the sitting room and kitchen were linked by a huge arch, meaning valuable wall space had been lost on both sides. On the third floor, meanwhile, was a large attic bedroom with an en suite bathroom, all ripe for an update.