‘We made our ugly bungalow beautiful’
Ann Watkinson and Melise Jones gave a Seventies eyesore a major makeover (and loads of kerb appeal)
Struggling for space in their Victorian home, Ann Watkinson and her partner Melise Jones moved to a larger – but uglier – Seventies chalet bungalow nearby in Sheffield.
SPACE OVER STYLE
‘Nobody understood our choice to buy a big, dated house,’ says Ann, ‘but we wanted space for guests, a study and a playroom for the grandchildren. The house was unappealing in every way, so we knew it’d be a real project.’
EXTERIOR FACELIFT
The small plot meant that extending wasn’t viable, so the couple overhauled the outside instead. ‘We used local architects Coda Bespoke (0114 279 6003; codastudios.co.uk),’ says Ann. ‘They came up with the cladding by the front door, which extends up and along to act as external blinds to our loo and en suite.’
QUICK CHANGE
‘We didn’t need planning, so it all happened quickly,’ says Ann. ‘The roof was replaced with modern concrete tiles, and the plastic windows and doors with aluminium-framed versions. Now it’s so much lighter, and we have all the space we need.’