After renovating our previous home and learning lots of skills and lessons along the way, my husband Stuart and I wanted another challenge,’ says Lara. ‘We came across this property – an unloved, Victorian end-of-terrace in really sad shape – and, in spite of its condition, we could see endless potential.
The mortgage company, however, didn’t have quite the same vision that we did. It was a real battle securing the money to proceed with the house, as it had so many structural issues to sort out. It needed support work, a new roof and a damp proof course. Having, eventually, completed the external work and satisfied the mortgage company that the house wouldn’t likely be falling to the ground anytime soon, we were finally able to begin updating the interior.
Seventies throwback
Every inch of the interior needed attention. I remember a friend popping by on moving day, and being stunned by the amount of work we had to do. Honestly, I think we were shocked too – the task seemed even bigger, and more daunting than it had before. It was dark and gloomy throughout, with an unsightly mix of orange, yellow and dark wood all over the place. There were dark green and blue carpets in every room, and net curtains at every window. It was a 1970s time-warp with ’90s accents thrown in for good measure. All the original features had either been covered up or removed altogether and, most unusually, there was a large shower cubicle in the main bedroom. Somewhere along the line it had lost its identity, but we had big ideas to restore it to its former glory.
DIY time
Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Style at Home.
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Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Style at Home.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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'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.
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