Estate Agent Photos

Cloakroom transformation

This was just a quick transformation to try and stop it from being so dark and dingy. We may look at altering the stair configuration and size of the under stairs cloakroom in the future.

Bedroom 1 transformation

We are using this bedroom as the master for now but may change to the one in the original part of the house when that is finished. This bedroom initially had 4 different types of wallpaper and needed some serious updating.

Changing Room transformation

Unfortunately there was insufficient room in the master bedroom for any wardrobes so we decided to convert the adjacent bedroom into a changing room. Only 2 different wallpapers here, blue denim and blue brick, again serious updating required.

Lounge transformation

The biggest decision here was what to do with the black painted beams. After investigating shot, ice blasting and other techniques we decided to go with a colouring process recommended for restoring beams without damaging the wood. I was slightly sceptical to start with but think the overall look is great. The new colour scheme, carpets, wood burner and furniture have all helped lighten and lift the room.

Dining Room transformation

Three main things had to go here, doors to the lounge, faux beams on the ceiling and the library/book wallpaper. Removing the doors helped give a more open plan flow to the lounge and kitchen. The ceiling beams had to go, they didn't look very realistic and made the ceiling feel lower. The less said about the wallpaper the better. This room now looks a lot lighter, bigger and flows nicely between the lounge and kitchen.

Bathroom transformation

The big debate here was whether to try and keep a bath or not. Final decision was not to so we could have a nice big walk in shower. The sparkly poly-carbonate panelling and bevelled tiles had to go, along with the bath and sink. This is where I started learning some new plumbing and tiling skills. I had help fitting the shower waste but that was it, everything else was my own work with a bit of help from the internet.

Kitchen transformation

This was the major transformation project of our first year in Bramblings. It was carried out during the Coronavirus pandemic so we had no access to tradesmen until right at the end when we had help to fit the worktops and boiler. Thank you to Gary for his help with the design and supply of the Kitchen. We ended up using Crown carcasses with doors and panels from Blossom Avenue, these were easier to get custom sizes in the design we liked. One of the biggest issues here was that we needed to keep using the kitchen throughout the whole transformation process. The floor was levelled in 3 different stages allowing different parts of the kitchen to be utilised at different times. The sink was re-plumbed at least 3 times as it was moved temporarily and then we had to wait for the worktops. We also had to wait for the lock-down to end before we could get the boiler fitted and pipework altered. Lots of new skills were used here with varying success, these included floor levelling, plastering, plumbing, kitchen fitting, carpentry, electrical/light fitting and tiling with advice from the internet and various friends in the trades. Really happy with the end result as the kitchen seems much brighter, larger and more practical to use.

Utility area transformation

Fridge area transformation

Sink area transformation

Cooker area transformation

Selection of completed kitchen photos

Garden transformation

The garden remains a work in progress but several areas have already been transformed. As we moved in during the summer we spent quite a lot of time working on the garden whilst the weather was good. Basically when the sun was out we worked on the garden, otherwise it was indoors. The fences were literally being completed the day we moved in and the grass hadn't been touched for months. We had our work cut out just getting the grass and wisteria under control before starting any projects. First up was the front garden, tidying up everywhere, painting the decking area, new screening and moving our furniture in. Next up was the side shed area as we urgently needed storage. The shed was refurbished with a wood store added to the side so we could start using it. Later I added a deck area as the ground was very boggy and unusable. It soon became apparent that the little side shed was not going to provide enough storage. There was a fenced off portion at the bottom of the garden that had been used as a bit of a dumping ground and this is where I planned to locate the new larger shed. This area had become totally overgrown so it was a huge project just clearing the site. I discovered that they had been burning waste here including mattresses. As I dug deeper trying to level the area I was coming across more and more bed springs. I therefore decided to mount the shed on a raised deck area so that I did not have to dig down so far. Once the deck was in place a large apex shed was assembled giving the extra storage we needed. Weed suppressing fabric with bark on top and a compost heap made from pallets completed the transformation. The following year (summer 2020) we started tackling the back garden including the now very overgrown hedge. The hedge was trimmed from about 20ft high to 12ft allowing lots more light into the garden. As a result the lawn started to improve and we now had scope to add borders and landscaping. Sally did a marvellous job adding borders and a rockery at the bottom of the garden. This is very much a work in progress so please pop back for updates as we complete the transformation.