Let's get this project started! #bathroom #renovation

 

Welcome back to 'Home of her own' The start of a renovation project is always based on needs instead of wants. As I am having a new boiler installed to ensure my heating and hot water is efficient and functioning before winter it made sense with pipe work in progress to start in the bathroom. In properties of this age having the toilet separate from the bathroom is not unusausal but not something I wanted or keep therefore the first  stage was getting the supporting walls checked before taking down the walls around the toilet.  The new open space gives increased options in relation to layout and functionality for my new bathroom.

As you can see from the photos is is dated, and needs attention not only to the plumbing and fittings, it also  needs the lighting  and heating changed.

I love having a long luxurious soak in the bath and this is my space I am creating, therefore I will be developing it with my personal preferences and touches. However, before I get carried way with that it's back to creating the blank canvas for the bathroom installation which means preparing the walls and floor. 

The toilet walls are now down and walls are ready  for plaster boarding and first fix plumbing, this is so exciting!

So what does it look like now...

And to get to this point it looked like this! 

Now to choose my bathroom suite and accessories in the #BlackFridaySale because I am a notorious bargain hunter!

Watch this space for the next instalment.

Starting a solo renovation at 60! One #woman with a #house needing #renovation

The dream of buying a home of my own has been the driving force for my personal and professional goals since my divorce over 5 years ago. The financial implications of divorce, plus being over 50 severely limited my options, or so I thought. The goal of achieving a mortgage offer, since celebrating my 60th birthday this year, and attempting to purchase a house alone with only one income was met by numerous rejections and the advice to carry on renting. However, I don't quit and when I set my mind on something that I want to achieve, I am like a dog with a bone and giving up is not an option. Determined to succeed, I viewed houses, saved pictures of houses to my phone, talked about houses with family, friends and anyone that I encountered on my viewings etc. Then an advert appeared on my social media for 'My Mortgage Finder' as I watched the video I realized it was talking specifically to people in my situation. I completed the enquiry form and later received a call from George who took time to listen to my wants, needs and expectations. We discussed the options that may be available and arranged a follow up telephone call when we would discuss more specific details and then I was followed up by the introduction to my personal mortgage finder Ben. I didn't want to jinx myself, but I knew this was my time to get a YES. As my application progressed Laila joined Team Sarah's mortgage lender search and very quickly an offer was secured. Finally, my dream was destined to become a reality. I revisited a house that I had shortlisted even before finding a mortgage and put my offer in. The wait for the call back reminded me of the property program, 'Location, Location, Location' with Kirstie Allsop and Phil Spencer which I been an avid viewer of for many years. The phone rang, my offer had been accepted, and my journey to becoming a solo renovator at 60, whilst working full time, had begun.