Documenting the Journey: A Home Renovation Tale of Inspiration, Challenges, and Community Connection

1. What inspired you to create an account to document your home renovation journey?

I initially always used Pinterest for inspiration for our home, then as instagram grew, the interior community on there was such a great place to be that I felt inspired to share my own work as a stylist and our home renovation journey. ​

2. Can you share some of the biggest learning curves you experienced during the renovation process?

Compromise! I think that was the biggest lesson, to realise that even though on paper you have designed every detail when it comes to the actual build there’s going to be lots of adjustments and compromises - whether that be from a practical or cost issue. So being able to be flexible and also having the ability to problem solve is essential. ​

3. What was the most challenging aspect of renovating your home, and how did you overcome it?

I designed and project managed the renovation so it was a lot of responsibility and constant decision making which often had time limitations, so its a large mental load keeping your final vision in sight yet being practical enough to keep the project moving. Anyone that’s had to live on site during a renovation will understand how all encompassing unit can be!

4. Could you share your thought process behind infusing a mid-century touch into your bright Victorian terrace? How did you strike a balance between preserving the original features and incorporating modern elements?

I love the warmth that the wood tones of midcentury furniture bring to a room, and wherever we've lived, the pieces just work. Our house is a late Victorian terrace with original fireplaces, coving, large skirting, and ceiling roses. The midcentury style works perfectly in period properties as it balances out the ornate without detracting from the decor. Yet, when placed in a simple room, like the loft back bedroom, they hold their own and make a great focal piece. In this space, in particular, the teak sideboard softens the harsh lines of the black architectural angled frame and connects the modern space with the rest of the house.​

5. What was your path to homeownership like?

It took us a while to save up for a deposit, and we were renting before we bought this house. Fortunately, we bought at a good time when prices hadn't skyrocketed yet! The increase in value gave us an opportunity to remortgage and release equity, allowing us to renovate the house. Originally a 3 bedroom home with a downstairs bathroom, it is now a 4 bedroom home with two bathrooms and a downstairs WC.​

6. How long did the home buying process take for you? And did you use a mortgage broker?

As I was on maternity leave and my husband worked freelance when we were buying, we used a mortgage broker. This helped us to secure our mortgage agreement, as our situation wasn't the best for negotiating a mortgage deal with banks or computers. As first-time buyers, we found the purchasing process simple because all parties were transparent and had open communication. In fact, we are now friends with the couple we bought from, and our children go to school together! From making an offer to getting the keys, it only took a speedy 28 days!

7. What have been some of the most rewarding moments during your home renovation journey?

Over the last decade, we have undergone a couple of renovation stages. Initially, we corrected some practical elements like moving a gas meter, repairing any damp damage, restoring some original features, and redecorating. We also landscaped the garden entirely, which included felling two huge conifer trees - all unexpected costs of homeownership! It was not until 2021 that we took on the challenge of a full renovation. This renovation included an L-shaped dormer loft conversion, a new bathroom on the first floor, a new staircase, and a downstairs rejig with a new kitchen.​

8. How has your home renovation journey connected you with others in your community?

We employed local tradesmen for our electrical, plumbing, and brickwork needs. They were great, and we continue to use them for maintenance. Our main team, MGWORKS Ltd, carries out work across London and its surrounding counties. Working with them was amazing. They maintained great communication throughout the project, and having a team that understands your vision is crucial for such a massive undertaking.​

9. What do you love the most about your area?

I love that we get to enjoy the best of both worlds! It takes only 20 minutes to commute into London Bridge, yet just a 20-minute drive takes you to the Kent countryside! As the greenest borough of London, Bromley boasts lots of lovely parks nearby, such as Beckenham Place Park or Crystal Palace. The town centre itself features a large shopping centre, lots of restaurants, and pubs. It's a really convenient place to live with excellent schools. Lockdown really highlighted to us how fortunate we were to live somewhere with so much open space, yet plenty of amenities.​

10. What advice would you give to someone about to embark on a home renovation project in terms of budget and cost-effectiveness?

Sticking to the budget can be near impossible, so it's important to be realistic about which elements you're willing to compromise on to keep the project on track. If you have the time and energy, consider using reclaimed materials and selling anything you no longer need. For example, we used reclaimed Victorian pine flooring from a school in Leeds and sold the original London stock bricks when we opened up the back of the house to install critical doors. We even sold the original ground floor staircase to a guy building a paintball treehouse!

There were other ways we could have saved even more money, but sometimes you have to prioritise options that fit your schedule to keep the project on track. Often, I had to adjust my original ideas for decorative items because the lead time was too long.​