Modern Outlook

When first-time renovators Anna Jenkinson and her husband Alistair bought their neglected period property, they had a clear vision of its family-friendly future.

- Sarah Ward

Anna and Alistair Jenkinson knew that their period property in Kent would need work – but it wasn’t until the builders arrived that they realised exactly how much. ‘We were prepared for some big expenses, as the house hadn’t been touched since the Sixites,’ says Anna. ‘The whole of the basement was damp, it needed a new roof and new chimneys, and many of the sash windows were rotten. The builders also discovered two separate old heating systems, which needed to be united. And that was just the start of the renovations.’

The couple decided to renovate in two stages, renting the house out after the first, while saving to tackle the second. Firstly they replaced the old roof and windows, rebuilding the chimney stacks and removing the dated carpets. ‘We redecorated with basic paint and cheap lino as we knew it would be taken up again after we’d saved enough to overhaul the interior,’ says Anna.’