Moving house wasn’t our plan,’ says Lucy. ‘We moved to the area 12 years ago and loved the location, but our house was getting to be a bit small for us – we were fast running out of space.
Then this house came up for sale just round the corner from us. It’s in such a lovely road, had lots more room, a bigger garden and it was in budget, so it all just fell into place and we ended up buying it.
Good bare bones
The house was pretty run down and neglected, with old-fashioned swirly carpets and textured walls and ceilings – there was even an old stair lift. But the good outweighed the bad. For all of its decor downfalls, the house had lots of character and original features, and a lovely light, bright reception room at the front that I knew would make a great studio. Although the house needed a lot of work, Tiff and I had tackled renovation projects before, so we knew we’d be able to make the property how we wanted it – it would just need a bit of hard work and creativity.
Embracing DIY
To keep the project on budget, everything we could do ourselves, we did – such as ripping up carpets, sanding floors, painting and wallpapering. We knew that the kitchen and bathroom would need a bit of extra work and would cost more to complete, so we left them until last so that we could plan and save up for them. I grew up with my mum and dad always doing things themselves while I was young. They bought a wreck and did it up around us, so I’ve never been fazed by hard work. It’s partly a financial thing, never having had tons of money, but there’s also a practical element, too. I always say that if you think you can do it yourself, then you have nothing to lose by giving it a go.
Experimenting
この記事は Style at Home の August 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Style at Home の August 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
'We wanted an Art Deco Vibe' - Helen took her bathing space from cramped and dated to family-friendly, with a classic retro-inspired look
Inheriting a typical 1930s layout of rectangular bathroom and a separate loo along the corridor wasn't really suitable for us,' says Helen. 'And with a teenager and a younger child, we knew we had to change things quickly after moving into our house in April 2022.
How to Save More Money -Editor of MoneyWeek.com Kalpana Fitzpatrick shares easy tips and tricks for spending less
Editor of MoneyWeek.com Kalpana Fitzpatrick shares easy tips and tricks for spending less. Recent research shows that around a third of consumers are focused on immediate finances and unable to think about future savings.* If you're struggling to save or just not sure where to start, then these tips and tricks will help.
What's for DINNER TONIGHT?
These tasty dishes can be made ahead of time and saved for those busy nights when there's no time to cook
Something for THE WEEKEND
These chocolate desserts are perfect for dinner parties (or for a special treat if you've had a tough week at work)...
Plant bulbs now for A SPLASH OF SPRING COLOUR
Brighten your garden come spring with a two-tone display of tulips - autumn is the perfect time to plant up and get busy
Living room STORAGE
Bring order to your living space with hard-working storage that looks stylish too
How to plan KITCHEN LIGHTING
Achieve the perfect lighting scheme that's bright, hard-working and looks good
Try a speedy STYLE UPDATE
Give your home a seasonal revamp with fun tricks, treats and cosy touches
Clever decorating WORK YOUR WALLS
Want to use a blank wall space for practical storage or stylish display? These ideas will give you the best of both worlds...
Give your home an AUTUMN RESET
Make rooms feel toasty and warm with plush layers, earthy tones and cosy touches