House Renovation Highlights featuring Walk in the Parquet
This week I’m excited to introduce you to Steph @walkintheparquet as part of my House Renovation Highlights series. This is an amazing renovation project where pretty much the entire house was ripped out and Steph has completely transformed it.
There are some stunning features including the kitchen, the crittal doors and the floor, wow the floor! It’s all just gorgeous.
Do have a read of Steph’s renovation story below, I loved reading her top tips, and also pop over to her Instagram to see more of her beautiful home too!
Tell us about your home and your renovation project. What did you do?
In December 2019 we bought our first renovation project; a three-bedroom detached 1920’s property. We had previously lived in a new-build flat, so it was quite the stark contrasts from that! Having been in the house almost a year now, we have spent our time focussing on the living areas and have renovated the bathroom, living room and the kitchen diner. When we moved in, the house was in a sorry state having not been touched for many decades; we have ripped out old suites, blocked up doors and knocked down walls to turn it into our vision that we have today.
The bathroom had a classic mint green suite and lino floor which was quickly ripped out, the room reconfigured and replaced with a monochrome themed bathroom complete with patterned floor tiles, a roll top bath of our dreams and a crittall shower screen. The living room had thick vinyl wallpaper and a door through to the kitchen which we decided to close up to make into a cosy snug; we now have a warm relaxing living room complete with bay window and fireplace nook. And finally, the dining room and kitchen were two separate rooms which we knocked down to make one large kitchen diner complete with a new set of back doors which span wider than previously with a view onto the garden, and a new navy kitchen.
We could not be happier with our progress this year, but we have a long journey ahead as we embark on extensions, the garden, and the rest of the house!
What did you enjoy the most about your house renovation?
We have really enjoyed working together to make our many years of pinterest-ing and instagramming a reality! We have learnt so many new skills along the way from liaising with trades people and project managing, to DIY jobs such as tiling and wallpapering. There is nothing more rewarding than sitting back and thinking ‘we did that’; there is so much satisfaction and reward (and hard work, blood, sweat and tears – literally!) from doing it yourself it makes it all worthwhile. We have also really enjoyed all the help that we have had from our families; we both come from families of renovators and DIY experts so sharing this journey with them has been fab.
What was your biggest challenge? Is there anything that you would have done differently?
The biggest challenge for us was planning and project managing the kitchen and dining room renovation; this took months and months of planning, enquiring, samples, orders, conversations, and headaches (!) as there was simply so much to consider. From plug socket locations to which is the best appliance, and worktop materials to cup handles or knobs, there really are so many choices and decisions that need to be made. We were also quite set on a quick turnaround time, therefore making sure all the trades people were lined up on the correct days was key; we have been really lucky with our trades people and managed to get all the plumbing, electrics and plastering done in a week! In an ideal world we would consider a utility room for the washing machine and for some extra storage space, but now that it is complete, we could not be happier.
Tell us your top tips?
Tip 1: Don’t worry about money – I think this is something that people worry about when buying a renovation project and fears of how they will afford it all. Providing the house is functioning with water, gas, electric etc. the rest is liveable and can be transformed over time. If you’re set on wanting to do a renovation, make it your priority instead of that extra holiday or night out; it is so worth it.
Tip 2: Enjoy every minute – Renovations can be stressful when your house is full of dust and you’re struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel so remember to take some time out and take some time for yourselves. Be sure to ride the renovation waves together, and most of all laugh together.
Tip 3: Be confident in your own home – If you’re an Insta account sharing your home renovation journey it can be really easy to get bogged down in comparisons with other homes. There are some incredible homes on Instagram, but remember that everyone is on their own journey – you do you!
What was your best renovation purchase?
Our best renovation purchase is our ‘frittall’ doors in the dining room. We always dreamed of having Crittall doors, but if you’ve ever researched the price of real Crittall you’ll know it’s not cheap! We’re talking tens of thousands in some cases! We umm-ed and ahh-ed over Bifold doors but they just weren’t quite hitting the spot for us, so when we found a company that supplied and fitted these ‘frittal’ (fake-crittall) we just couldn’t say no. They’re black aluminium framed, smart-heritage thermal doors with Georgian bars to give them the crittall effect. They didn’t break the bank (very comparable to bifolds) and give us the exact look we were after!
Would you do it again?
Yes! But not for a long time. We see this as our family home where we could happily spend the next 10 years or so. We have lots of potential to extend if we need to, and enough space to bring up children if we choose to. For the next house, I would love something a little bigger with a grand entrance, hallway, and staircase but for now, we are perfectly happy and very open to future renovation projects.
What’s next? Any future renovation plans?
We have BIG plans for next year which involve extensions and a huge garden overhaul. We have lots of planning to do in the early part of 2021 to see what is affordable and achievable but hopefully look to get going late Spring, early Summer. We are hoping to get a bathroom upstairs, a porch and a four-tiered garden so lots of exciting things happening; wish us luck and watch this space!
I have loved reading this and featuring you Steph! Thank you! Do all go and check out Steph’s house @walkintheparquet on Instagram and her gorgeous floor.
If you would love to have your your home featured as part of my series, do drop me an email thepramshedblog@gmail.com
Claire x