RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

Micaela and Tom Baker overcame various obstacles to achieve their dream home and become the overall winners in our Reader Awards

KITCHEN This part of the cook space is an extension. ‘We didn’t use an architect – we hired a draftsman to submit drawings to the council.’ Oscar bar stools, £160 each, Reside Living

HOME TRUTHS

THE PROPERTY Victorian semi-detached house

LOCATION West London

ROOMS Sitting room, kitchendiner/sitting area, office, utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, garden room

PURCHASED 2020

PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a similar smaller period property with a less sizable garden,’ says Micaela.

KITCHEN The rattan bar stools bring a relaxed and informal feel to the classic Victorian-inspired design. Fairford Charcoal kitchen, price of request, Howdens. Oscar bar stools, £160 each, Reside Living. Där Dara bar ceiling light, £238.80, John Lewis & Partners

Moving the entire contents of one family home to another is a daunting task at the best of times, but during lockdown, with no removal men available, the scale of such a job is a great deal more challenging. This was the situation Micaela Baker and her husband Tom were faced with in the spring of 2020. ‘In the end, we hired a van and Tom and I moved everything ourselves. It was a huge undertaking,’ Micaela recalls.