home truths
THE PROPERTY A semidetached house built in the 1930s LOCATION Surrey ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen-diner/living area, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms, dressing room PURCHASED 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had a two-bedroom flat in Teddington,’ says Jojo.
When Alex Gale and Jojo Donnelly viewed a spacious 1930s rental property in Surrey, they knew it would make an ideal family home. Now they just had to secure it. ‘This house was the first one I viewed,’ says Jojo, ‘but because we were both estate agents at the time, I had seen a million and one houses, and I knew exactly what I wanted. The location was brilliant and it had the potential to create a side, rear and loft extension.’
When they found themselves up against four other offers, and then in a contract race with another buyer, Alex and Jojo drew on their professional expertise. ‘We used all our knowledge to speed up the process, and we managed to exchange within four weeks,’ she says. ‘Even though we knew what we were doing, it was very stressful – especially because I was pregnant with Amelie, who is now six.’
The house had been a rental property, and even though it was in need of attention, cosmetically, the family could live in it until they were ready to start the building work. And once this began, it was so extensive that the family had no choice but to move in with Jojo’s parents. ‘Even rooms we weren’t going to touch had to be replastered as all the ceilings crumbled,’ says Jojo. The builders worked to a tight budget, set and managed by Jojo. ‘My job at the time was to go and value houses, especially ones that had just undergone work, so I really
had an idea of how much it was going to cost. I also knew how important it was to negotiate. I would go round to four different tradespeople, find the one I liked the most then made sure I got the best product for the best possible deal.’
The finished work has transformed the space. Downstairs, the industrial-style kitchen, with exposed brick, grey cabinets and gunmetal grey radiators, is warmed up by botanical prints and bright accessories in the living and dining areas. ‘I wanted a slightly industrial feel, with lots of plants, colour and copper accents,’ she says. ‘It’s a mixture of everything I love!’ The galley kitchen, conservatory and dining room were opened up to create one big living area. Upstairs, the space has more than doubled with two bedrooms, a box room and a bathroom giving way to three bathrooms and four double bedrooms.
The renovations have changed more than just the footprint of the house. After their son Arthur was born two years ago, Jojo’s experience of doing up her home inspired her to set up A Little Arty with her sister-in-law, which specialises in home decor products and helping others style their properties. And her own favourite room? ‘My bedroom is the space I escape to,’ she says. ‘I absolutely love the deep green on the feature wall and the serenity it has given the room. The view overlooking the field is so tranquil and calming that the kids are happy just to sit on the bed and watch the sun come up.’