Brand new (old) house

Welcome to Design 69… Come on in! No need to wipe your feet, the carpets are going.

First of all, allow me to be presumptuous and thank you for reading the first post (of many), documenting the ups and downs of my home renovation. Having lived in one-bedroom apartments throughout my twenties, I have finally (now mid-thirties) graduated to a grown up house. A three bedroom, two reception room terraced house to be exact. With a garden and everything!!

Now, when I first saw the house on the property website, I wasn’t blown away. I actually viewed it once and dismissed it immediately. I have no idea why!?! Yes, it was at the top end of my budget, but it ticked every box on my wish-list. And it was a house!! I thought I would be looking at apartments, because for those of you who are unfamiliar with Aberdeen property prices, they are crazy high. I’ll talk about that another time though. This house should have been love at first click! But it wasn’t. It was about two months later that I noticed it was still on the market, which was rare at that time in Aberdeen. It wasn’t until I was sitting at my friend’s kitchen table on a weekend away in Edinburgh that I suddenly got the urge to view it. That kitchen table is where I have made some of the biggest decisions of my life. It could have been the advice from the friends I was with….but I think it’s all about the table!
Anyway, here is my ‘dream home’ wish list, as it stood;

Priorities;

• It must have 2 or more bedrooms
• Own front door (no more sharing!)
• A garden, ideally front and back

 

Things that would be lovely;

• Original cornicing and mouldings
• Bay window
• Sash windows
• Cast Iron balusters
• Fireplaces

 

Quite specific, I know.
Now, where could I find all of these…

It may have been because the sun was shining but I had a VERY good feeling as I walked down the street, on that fateful day. I wasn’t sure exactly where it was situated, so there was an element of suspense as I went to view it. It turned out to be at the furthest end, in a row of nine houses, facing east. It was love at first sight.
Do you know that feeling when you go on a first date and the person turns out to be really hot and lovely too? And you know that you’re going to marry them and be with them FOREVER? That feeling.
And things only escalated when I got inside.

I’ll maybe leave the ‘first date’ comparisons here…

Inside did not disappoint. A 60’s/70’s/80’s mash-up time-warp, presented in pristine condition. You could tell it had been genuinely loved and cared for over the years. And the light… Oh, it was almost ethereal. Being used to small spaces, this place felt huge. And so airy! You could have a barn dance in the sitting room alone! In my head, it was mine already. Sold. Unfortunately, it’s never as simple as that.

As I moved upstairs I couldn’t believe the place hadn’t sold. Nor that it had only recieved 6 viewings in the 4 months it had been on the market! What were folk not seeing?!
The place was fully furnished when I viewed it, and yet each room still looked huge. I had the opportunity to buy the furniture, but politely declined…

This was, and still is, my favourite part of the house. The curve on that wall…. *sigh*. I LOVE IT.

I love the hallway. It has the coving, the balusters, a beautiful wooden handrail, a curved wall (this wasn’t even on my list!) and upstairs, a bizarre, quirky little cupboard/stairway to the attic, that you can tell has been made with love. Genius!

Having viewed the entire property, I could finally see what was putting people off; the kitchen and bathroom. Judge for yourself;

Oh…

Ew! (I secretly love this room..)

Both situated in separate extensions downstairs, I knew they would have to be reconfigured. Would I keep the extensions? Rebuild them? Move the bathroom upstairs? Bear in mind, at this point, I had only just met the house. But that was okay. I CAN CHANGE HER!

And so, about a fortnight later, she was mine. My cheeky first offer was accepted and Number 69 was officially SOLD!

And so, it began…