Renovation Tour - A Remodel Of A 1930s Home
Share
Copy Link
The home of @elle_the_home_bird on Instagram has to be one of the prettiest homes that we have come across. The property is a 1930s home which has been extensively renovated to bring it back to it's former glory, whilst preserving and re-instating many of the period features.
Like so many renovations, the large four-bed home didn't require an extension to add space but needed an extensive remodel to make it work for the family, which involved moving the rooms around and knocking down walls.
The result is now a beautiful family home with the decor sympathetic to the period of the home but with some lovely modern twists. The home is decorated in subtle, romantic colours and each room flows seamlessly to the next - it's great inspiration for those of you renovating a period home and want to embrace the style.
We chat to the owner Elle to find out about her renovation story and how she created this perfect home.
If you are thinking about a renovation project in the near future and need some help with where to start with your project, try our renovation advice session.
Renovation Advice Session
Can you tell us about your home and renovation project?
We bought our 1935 four-bed semi last year and spent five months doing most of the major work. The house was pretty much uninhabitable having suffered decades of neglect and had not been updated in around 40 years.
In the initial stages, we pretty much ripped it apart so that we could start again! We did a complete rewire and re-plumbed throughout. We then set about knocking down the wall between what was the old dining room and kitchen in order to create one big family space.
We relocated the kitchen into the old dining room, which involved moving water, gas and waste etc. Not the most straightforward job but well worth it in the end! We also moved around some bedroom walls upstairs and created a second bathroom in what was a small fifth bedroom.
Luckily the original floorboards were in a really good condition so we had them professionally sanded back and lacquered.
After five months of living at my mum's house, we were finally able to move in last September. We were by no means finished but we had two new bathrooms, a new kitchen and fully renovated and decorated bedrooms so it felt like quite an achievement given the timescale we did it in.
The stunning kitchen which was moved to the original dining room
With your home being a period property, were there any additional challenges with the renovation?
Being a period property, the house definitely presented us with some unexpected issues. The bathroom was a complete nightmare to tile as the walls were so uneven - they had to be plastered and then replastered!
But a period property can also throw up some welcome surprises too; the original floorboards were beautiful and able to be fully restored, as was the original wall panelling throughout the hallway and up the stairs.
We also discovered old fireplace 'holes' hidden behind plasterboard and brick in the bedrooms where once there would have been original 1930s fireplaces. We have since reinstated bedroom fireplaces in these rooms and they make for such a lovely focal point.
The decor is perfect in this period property
How long did your renovation take and did you live in it throughout?
The main renovation took around five months; with three young boys it was impossible to live in the house with all the work going on and no amenities so we moved in with mum.
The original panelling and flooring were restored, preserving the history of the building
You have a beautiful style...what influences it?
I'd probably describe my style as vintage with a modern twist! My main influence when it comes to style and decor is without doubt my grandparents. My grandmother had the most amazing eye for antiques and their beautiful home was adorned with the most fabulous pieces of furniture, vintage oil paintings and old books. Every piece had a story to tell and I've definitely tried to replicate that feeling in our home.
We adore the kitchen cabinets and how perfect they look in this period home
Where is your favourite place in your home now?
My favourite room in the house has to be our bedroom. The warm, peachy pink walls satisfy my love of colour and create such a relaxing vibe while the little reclaimed fireplace and floral oil paintings bring in that element of vintage that I love! It's definitely my happy space!
The reclaimed fireplace is such a wonderful feature in the master bedroom
What advice would you give to anyone about to start a renovation project?
If I were to give any advice on renovating, it would be to research, plan and moodboard. Set up Pinterest pages for each room and see how they marry together. Do the colours work together? Does it flow? What furniture will you have in each room? Also, think about lighting; which direction does the room face? This will hugely affect how wall colours look and work in each space.
And remember, you'll get there in the end! It's so hard to stay positive and focused when you're in the midst of chaos, dust and never-ending issues but all of a sudden it comes together and you can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The lounge area has been decorated so beautifully - we love the continuity from the other rooms
If you are thinking about a renovation project in the near future and need some help with where to start with your project, try our renovation advice session.
Renovation Advice Session
Published: October 26, 2020
Sign up with Facebook
Sign up with Google
