Seventies reno

H a l l w a y The stairs had the original open tread, covered in carpet with old, dangerous balustrades, but rather than replacing the lot, the couple saved money by putting risers in and replacing the bannister. Laura then layered the stairs, painted in Little Greene’s Lamp Black, with planters and architectural plants

chalk and tape on the floor and walls to try out different configurations, including having a bath,’ says Laura. ‘But we finally decided on a large statement shower as there’s a tub in the main bathroom, and this allowed space to include a vanity with twin basins.’

To save money, the couple stripped everything out themselves, including the carpet and wallpaper. e builders then put the water tank into the loft, bricked up the window and reconfigured the landing, leaving them with the en suite installed and main bedroom with a plastered finish, which the couple were more than happy to decorate themselves.

A break from all things reno was then initiated for a few months, but by the summer of 2020, having endured lockdown and spent way too long in the burgundy-carpeted living room, Laura decided enough was enough. ’As soon as tradespeople were allowed back inside, we had the room replastered, the old gas fire ripped out and a log burner installed,’ she says. ‘And then, finally, we got to pull up the ugly carpet, which revealed potentially gorgeous

D e s i g n d e t a i l s The useful hallway cupboard, painted in Farrow & Ball’s Card Room Green, is an Ikea Pax wardrobe hack, topped with a TV unit, decorated with reeded moulding a selection of baskets from Dunelm and Ikea for easy-to-access storage

M a i n b e d ro o m With the walls already painted in Dulux’s Chic Shadow, it was seeing so many people adding dark panelling on Instagram that gave Laura the to try it herself. ‘I did a quick sketch, measured out the design then had the wood cut at B&Q. All the vertical batons and frame were done with No More Nails, with the shelf then screwed into the supporting frame’

E n s u i t e Although she loved the look of original shower screens, Laura saved money by opting for this Crittall-style design from Victoriaplum. com, adding budget Islington Metro tiles from Homebase laid in a herringbone design for a sophisticated look

parquet flooring, but there was so much missing that sadly it couldn’t be salvaged.’ Instead, the couple decided to go for lowmaintenance laminate flooring in natural oak, laid in a herringbone pattern, and to have the ceiling boarded up as an easy way to cover up the artex. ‘We also had the huge windows resized as they were almost down to the floor, which made the front of the house look like a shop,’ explains Laura. en it was finally time to tackle the kitchen. ‘ e 70s kitchen had seen updates in the early 90s, which hadn’t retained any cool retro features,’ says Laura. ‘ e veneer on the units was peeling off, there was no insulation and there were mice in the walls – our builders said it was the worst garage conversion they’d ever seen!’

Although it took three years to get to this point – longer than the couple expected – the wait actually worked in their favour, as it gave them plenty of time to see how they used the space, which in turn helped with the new

layout. ‘In the end we only extended the ground floor by 40cm, as by the time the garage and conservatory were incorporated into the space, we really didn’t need a bigger footprint,’ Laura says. Instead, the couple decided to raise the roof and go as high as legally allowed for a single-story extension, to give it more air and light.

Laura used an online space planner to design the kitchen, as she knew exactly what she wanted for the scheme. ‘I wanted dark, Shaker-style units that showed the grain, with lighter worktops to balance the look.’ e couple finally chose a Wren design but sourced the worktop separately. is final leg of the renovation went well, though the builders were installing the large garden doors during storm Eunice, which Laura admits was a bit hairy. And although the whole family caught Covid just as the build was completed, so the big reveal for family and friends was delayed, Laura says the finished result is everything she dreamed of. ‘I really wouldn’t change a thing.’

FANCY TRYING YOUR HAND AT A PAINT EFFECT?

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