CREATIVE OUTLET’

On the hunt for a project, Lara took a chance on a run-down Victorian terrace to create her one-of-a-kind home

fter renovating our previous home and learning lots of skills and lessons along the way, my husband Stuart and I wanted another challenge,’ says Lara. ‘We came across this property – an unloved, Victorian end-of-terrace in really sad shape – and, in spite of its condition, we could see endless potential.

The mortgage company, however, didn’t have quite the same vision that we did. It was a real battle securing the money to proceed with the house, as it had so many structural issues to sort out. It needed support work, a new roof and a damp proof course. Having, eventually, completed the external work and satisfied the mortgage company that the house wouldn’t likely be falling to the ground anytime soon, we were finally able to begin updating the interior.

ASeventies throwback

Every inch of the interior needed attention. I remember a friend popping by on moving day, and being stunned by the amount of work we had to do. Honestly, I think we were shocked too – the task seemed even bigger, and more daunting than it had before. It was dark and gloomy throughout, with an unsightly mix of orange, yellow and dark wood all over the place. There were dark green and blue carpets in every room, and net curtains at every window. It was a 1970s time-warp with ’90s accents thrown in for good measure. All the original features had either been covered up or removed altogether and, most unusually, there was a large shower cubicle in the main bedroom. Somewhere along the line it had lost its identity, but we had big ideas to restore it to its former glory.

DIY time

After pouring our savings into restoring the exterior and purchasing the property