Come on in!

ABOUT me I’m Phyl Payne, 64, a retired lecturer, and I live here with my husband Paul, 68, a retired engineer. We have two grown-up daughters and three grandchildren.

our Home a one-bedroom groundfloor flat in an eighties block on a private estate in Portsmouth, which we bought in august 2016.

When We moved in there was nothing structural to be done – the windows had been replaced and the main room was open plan, which is what we wanted. however, the kitchen and bathroom hadn’t been updated since it was built and the whole flat felt dark and gloomy.

AND now We have done all the work ourselves on a tight budget, installing a kitchen and bathroom, and decorating throughout, to create a light, bright space.

STYLE TIP Invest in a good-quality worktop and team it with greatvalue units for an affordable look.