prudently gaze at an old cottage over the stream from her kitchen window, until one day it came up for sale. Here, we learn how Martin sensitively and sustainably transformed a run-down 17th-century charming cottage into a self-catering luxury getaway in the Cotswolds

One of my horror stories is that my living room completely fell into my neighbour's home. A builder walked over the bare floorboards and just fell right through – I can’t believe she still talks to me!

At home with AJ

Racking up nearly 5000 Instagram followers on her dedicated renovation page, @homewithaj, AJ describes herself as an “absolute novice renovating a Victorian house”; which resonates with many undertaking their own renovation and self-build projects.

Here, i-Build’s Editor, Rebecca Kemp, talks to AJ about her newfound infatuation with renovations and discovers what prompted her to take on such an extensive restoration. AJ Odudu is best known for appearances on British television on reality shows such as Big Brother’s Bit on the Side and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins; however, her love for renovating is not as well recognised as her presenting career. This month, we’ve talked to AJ about the recent renovation of her enviable three-bedroom, onebathroom, Victorian, semidetached split-level flat in South East London.

RK: What inspired you

to take on this project?

AJ: It was not my original intention to buy a place that needed renovating, but I realised that there was nothing on the market that was 100% to my taste. I hadn’t realised how particular I was about things, such as how essential ceiling heights were to me and the amount of natural light in the space. During my search, I realised how much of my own stamp I wanted to put on my home, and the only way to do that correctly was through renovation.

RK: Had you always wanted to

pursue your own project?

AJ: I always wanted to renovate a place, but I didn’t think it would be my first home. I had envisaged that my first home would be just moving into a nice, warm space from the get-go. I’m busy, and I just don’t have time for my first property to be a huge project. I had grown up watching Changing Rooms, 60-Minute Makeover and Homes Under The Hammer, and I love Grand Designs, Location, Location, Location etc. – so I always had the vision to renovate, but I didn’t think it would be my first one. I really got into the spirit of things though and truly loved it – I now want to do another.

RK: How and why did

you choose this property to renovate?

AJ: The main stand-out features to me were the high ceilings and big windows. I also love that it’s split level; it’s technically a flat as I have a neighbour underneath, but it feels like a house with the gorgeous hallway. I have lived in London for 10 years and always on one level, and I just fell in love with the luxury of having stairs. It reminded me of being back at home up North as everyone lived in a house, and the staircase makes me feel extra at home. A touch of northern life! RK: What was the vision and

inspiration behind your new home?

AJ: My wardrobe! A person’s wardrobe is such a reflection of their personality – what you wear every day is a representation of what you love. Of course, fashion changes – as does your style – but ultimately, you will always have your go-to outfits. For me, it does tend to be quite bright, so my home reflects that. I did try to use Pinterest, but I struggled to use it as I would find things I’d love and would keep tapping away but never find where it was actually from. I did also follow lots of home Instagram accounts, but it gave me the confidence to be bolder with my choices more than anything. RK: How did you approach

finalising your design brief?

AJ: The timing was impeccable as I had just worked with John Lewis, where they’d picked five experts to design a room. I was tasked with creating a living room and kitchen space for a display area for their flagship London store. I worked with an interior designer there and really loved the process. I found myself using a lot of dark colours, which surprised me as I thought I’d be more into muted greys. It was almost like a practice run. By the time that campaign had finished, I was ready to decorate my own place, and it gave me the confidence to go super bright with my colours. I didn’t have an interior designer but knew I wanted to start with the hallway, and everything else would just flow from there. It was more thinking about what I wanted to wake up to every day; what would put a smile on my face and what I wanted to come home to after a long day at work.

RK: Were there any

challenging aspects to the project and build?

AJ:Initially, I wanted to project manage the whole renovation myself, but when it came down to it, I was abroad for around six weeks of the renovation. An illustrator I’d met once, called Hattie Stuart, recommended someone who would be able to assist, so he helped me project manage.

I also had an issue with four of my windows – the kitchen and three of the living room ones. I didn’t realise they were all so rotten and almost falling out the frames. That was the one expense I hadn’t budgeted for, so my top tip, when you’re looking at a property, is to go around and actually open and close windows to check them.

Moving my gas meter was also an issue – I wanted it in a specific place to make room in the kitchen, but builders aren’t legally allowed to do this, so it took a few weeks to get the correct permission.

RK: Did you work

with an architect at any point in the process?

AJ: No – I didn’t make any structural changes, but I did change the layout in the bathroom – this room has had the most significant transformation. There wasn’t a bath (which I wanted to have); therefore, we re-shuffled it and utilised the space properly.

I was contemplating knocking down a wall and having an openplan kitchen-cum-living room, but I am quite oldfashioned and like having separate spaces – plus, my kitchen is big enough for a dining space anyway. I cook a lot of Nigerian cuisines, and it’s delicious, but it is also fragrant, and I didn’t want my settee to smell.

RK: How did you

approach material and product specification?

AJ: I always knew what I wanted it to look like. Thank goodness for my builders; they were able to advise me on the materials that I needed to

use to get the effect I wanted. Don’t be afraid to ask loads of questions and get lots of samples to make sure you get the look you want. I also found the staff at B&Q helpful.

RK: Are there any

particular materials you would recommend to others looking to renovate or self-build?

AJ: My kitchen and bathroom look really luxe. I bought good quality yet relatively cheap cupboards and drawers and then invested in the doorknobs and surfaces. The main expense of my kitchen was the worktop. I used Slab Tech, which is like compressed marble, but it’s beautiful. You do have to buy it in metres, but that meant I had some leftover which I could use in my bathroom and it ties it all together really nicely.

I wanted a big vanity unit in my bathroom with a sunken sink, however these can be really expensive. As I had the leftover kitchen worktop, I just got a couple of extra kitchen cupboards and used that to make my vanity unit. It’s fantastic as it’s huge, and only a fraction of the cost.

RK: How long did the

renovation take?

AJ: It took three months, with two months of planning beforehand, so five months overall – which was much longer than expected. There were a few delays with things, even like my oak wood floor. I ordered a sample and loved it, but when I went to order, it was out of stock which really slowed down the process.

RK: When was it

completed?

AJ: I moved in last May (2019), after having bought it in September 2018. The kitchen and bathroom were complete, but I had a mattress on my floor for months.

RK: Did you remain

within the original budget?

AJ: I did go over my original budget. I was doing really well until we had to replace the windows, so I was over budget by £10,000. That did also include re-doing

the garden, which I hadn’t included in my original plan. I used a fantastic Gardener called Jordan Sutton, who transformed my derelict garden within five days without the use of machinery. It was just him and a spade!

RK: Is the finished

space everything you hope it would be?

AJ: Definitely, and more! I feel proud to see what it was and what it is now – it’s unbelievable. Most importantly, I managed to create a homely environment where my friends, family and I can relax, and that was ultimately what I wanted. When I’m away working, I always get excited to come home and love waking up in this space.

RK: What do you

love most about your new home?

AJ:The hallway. I knew I wanted something in the hallway to have a splash of colour and decided it would be the floor. My three favourite colours are orange, red and yellow. I thought yellow would be too pale on the floor, red would be too dark and angry, so orange was the perfect in-between. It took me ages to find the ideal carpet. In the end, I had to import it from Italy. Shockingly, no one does a bright orange carpet at an affordable price in the UK.

RK: What is your

favourite room?

AJ: My living room. It has three massive sash windows that are south-facing, really high ceilings and the light just floods in, which makes me feel like I’m on holiday every day. Having the new windows has made such a difference, and means that the heat is retained a lot better, so it’s a really warm space. Directly above the living room is my bedroom, which also has southfacing windows, so I wake up in the sunshine, which makes it my second favourite room.

RK: Is there anything

you would have done differently?

AJ: I would have installed my fireplace in my living room first. That’s still on my to-do list, and it’s going to be such a messy job – I’m dreading it. I would have also been a bit more patient; I’m

now trying to get planning permission to extend into the loft. However, I wished I’d waited with my other renovations and completed it all at once – now I’m hesitant for all the dust and noise again.

RK: Would you do the whole thing again? AJ: Absolutely. For the next place, I would probably do somewhere less traditional like an old factory, studio or even a church. I also love barn conversions. During the renovation, so many people would tell me to think of the profit I’d make by renovating, but it’s never been about the money for me – I’m not going to be a property tycoon. This has been my baby, and I’m loving living here for now.

RK: What advice would you offer

to anyone looking to renovate or self-build?

AJ: Even if you hire someone to do the work for you, make sure you’re still around to project manage. Also, do your research; being single and female, I did find people would try and pull the wool over my eyes a little bit. Still, if you do your research and know what you’re talking about, you’ll save yourself issues in the long run. Do everything in order. Prepare your critical utilities like gas, water and electricity first, and that’s when you can start looking to decorate. As your house needs to function correctly first, if you skip these steps and have to go back and re-do them, you’ll ruin all your lovely paint and wallpaper. Send your neighbours a bunch of flowers before you start. Thankfully, my neighbour and I get on really well. One of my horror stories is that my living room completely fell into my neighbour's home. A builder walked over the bare floorboards and just fell right through – I can’t believe she still talks to me! Accidents do happen, so make sure you get all the right insurance before you start. Lastly, have fun with it!

Specifying doors for a conservatory

Neil Ginger, CEO at Origin, offers his insights into the most important considerations when specifying doors for a conservatory.

1. Type

Bi-fold and sliding doors are the most popular choices for those looking to add a ‘wowfactor’ to their conservatory. Both are fantastic for making a statement and offer the opportunity to seamlessly link the outdoors and indoors by creating uninterrupted panoramic views when open.

Sliding doors take up minimal internal room, making them a fantastic option for properties with limited space. Sliding door panel sizes also tend to be larger, so there is typically more glass and less frame, offering the best views when closed. However, bi-fold doors are the most versatile of the door options and can be installed in a number of configurations, including on corners, making them a great choice for those with more unusual requirements.

2. Style

For homeowners incorporating doors as part of a conservatory, it is important to ensure that the doors marry with the look and feel of the conservatory. All of Origin’s doors are available in over 150 RAL colours, including dual coloured options, ensuring there is an option to fit every type of home. If the conservatory has a gable end, the mullions should line up with the verticals of the door profile below for a clean finish.

3. Materials

There are three main materials which can be used for conservatory patio doors – uPVC, wood and aluminium. Each come with their own benefits. For instance, uPVC is the cheapest option, but comes with thick sightlines and has a tendency to flex and warp in extreme weather conditions.

Wooden frames can look great in period properties but require regular maintenance to keep them looking their best and performing well.

Aluminium, on the other hand, offers a perfect combination of strength, durability and weight, allowing for narrow, more aesthetically pleasing frames to maximise the amount of light let into a property, without compromising on security. The material is resilient to flexing, expanding or contracting and requires very little maintenance. Aluminium doors can also be coated with a realistic woodgrain effect, which is ideal for traditional properties.

4. U-values

For any room that features large expanses of glass, it is important to consider thermal efficiency. The best indicators of thermal efficiency are U-values which show the amount of heat lost in watts per square metre of material. The lower the number, the better the thermal efficiency.

When using triple glazing, Origin’s bifold doors, the OB-49 and OB-72 achieve a U-value of 1.2 and 1.3 respectively, the Artisan Slider (OS-20) is a 1.4, whilst the Patio Slider (OS-44 or 77) reaches 1.2, all far exceeding UK requirements.

High-quality doors will also feature a polyamide thermal break in the profile, which is designed to improve energy efficiency, allowing homeowners to enjoy the room all year round.

5. Security

As conservatory doors are likely to link to the outside, it is vital that security is prioritised. For maximum safety, the system should conform to PAS 24: 2016 security standards, have a multi-point locking system on the lead door and an anti-pick, snap, lift and drill locking cylinder/barrel. For ultimate peace of mind, homeowners should opt for doors that are accredited with the policepreferred Secured by Design standard.