My eldest son Daniel is a property developer and tends to concentrate on small Victorian terrace houses as he can project manage these comfortably whilst still working full time in the family potato business. I like to see the house renovation work in progress and always find it exciting to see a neglected home emerge from its chrysalis.
This property was in a sad state but structurally sound so it was quite a straightforward job to rewire and plaster throughout. The main work was to remove a very grotty bathroom from the end of the kitchen and turn this space into a utility with sink, cupboards, plumbing for a washing machine and tumble dryer and a loo.
The wall at the end of the kitchen was removed so that the back door was incorporated into the kitchen making the kitchen more spacious and visually appealing. With the installation of new base units, slim line wall units and a built in cooker, hob and extractor fan the kitchen is now a contemporary and stylish space. The cream units and white metro tiles (grouted in cream) give the room a good neutral base for the new owner to work with and for them to jazz up or accentuate as they please.
A new bathroom was installed in the third bedroom incorporating a large bath and a large walk in shower with white metro tiles grouted in a pale gray. The boiler cupboard is in the bathroom and is quite large so Dan fitted shelves so it makes a great airing cupboard – something missing in most new homes. The gray wood effect lino is warm underfoot and the gray is picked up on the bath panel and window ledge. The sanitary ware is all white which makes the room very spacious and calming.
The small back yard was just a mud bath so Dan built a raised stone terrace at the bottom of the yard where it catches the sun and gravelled the rest to make a neat and maintenance free courtyard which is perfect for alfresco dining. By raising the terrace it creates different levels which is always more visually appealing.
The rest of the house has been carpeted in soft gray which is very on trend and appeals to the younger market. The combination of the gray and neutral tones makes for a very calming and spacious home and enables a prospective purchaser to envisage themselves in the space whatever their taste in décor. I love the way Dan has transformed this tired and dingy Victorian terrace into a desirable and contemporary home.
Jacqui x
House Renovation- Before and After Shots by Jacqui Brooks
