I LEARNED...

GET A PROFESSIONAL in to test the solidity of the build. Despite having a technical survey, there were hidden problems in the loft. If I ever buy another house, I would get extra help to make sure everything is stable.

PLAN FOR LIGHT. Think about how the sun hits the house at different times of the day and take advantage of it. I added more windows in the porch for natural light to come into the hall in the morning. Later in the day, I can enjoy the sun in the bedroom through the Juliette balcony and downstairs in the garden room.

FOCAL POINTS in each room make your home unique. Consider how you live, but also try to think ‘out of the box’ to make it different. My wow-factor features are the industrial style windows and doors just off the entrance, the fireplace in the lounge and the AGA in the kitchen.

LOW-MAINTENANCE MATERIALS are worth considering. The marble tiles in my bathroom require loads of attention and don’t look great, even after having a professional tiler clean and seal them. I would have preferred to have tiles with a marble effect.