Renovating A Victorian Terrace with Banish The Beige
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Interior instagrammer Melanie is renovating a 1897 Victorian terrace on a serious budget with the help of her Dad. I’m going to ask her how it’s going…
So Melanie, what state was the house in when you bought it?
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Hi Emma, firstly I just wanted to say thank you so much for having me, we too lived in rented for years so now I’m using all the colour I can to make up for those suppressed years of forced beige!!
Basically this place was in a bit of a state when we bought it, bare plaster downstairs with no skirting boards due to a damp coursing, it was white/beige, the most line you could have in one kitchen, the mankiest carpets you have ever seen and the back yard was mouldy and filthy.
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How long has it taken you so far and how long to envision the project lasting for all together?
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It has taken us 17 months so far, we have very nearly completed but just have the finishing touches in the kitchen and our bedroom to paint. This should be done in 2 months.
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What has been the hardest bit of the project?
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The hardest part was having 12 months off on maternity leave with little Albie, thinking I would have loads of time to get it all done but in reality having no time at all haha!
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Have you found any cool original features?
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Oh yes, we have been so lucky, we have original Minton tiles ( with the deliberate mistake and everything!) ceiling roses, coving, quarry tiles (which we have preserved but covered as they are very cold) the outbuilding with working toilet (we have knocked this down but recycled the bricks to make planters), Belfast sink, fire surround which I had sandblasted as the previous owner painted it white!
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Which job or item has transformed you home the most?
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I think the major transformation was the bathroom, it’s big and I could add loads of pattern which I think makes it feel really luxurious.
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Which is your favourite room and why?
My favourite spot is the back yard, it’s a fabulous sun trap, we love entertaining there and it’s had a massive overhaul, new paving slabs, planters, loads of pots and plants particularly climbers and a pergola was built by my dad.
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What are your top tips for renovating a Victorian property?
The obvious bit of advice is to try to restore any original features and try to put them back if they have been ripped out. Go bold with colour, the properties are small and dark so just go with that, it will transform any space and really highlights features especially if you can paint the wood work and ceiling in the same colour.
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