A couple have added £450,000 to the value of their property after transforming the dated space into a modern family home.
Carla Isolano, 39, a photographer and content creator from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, has given new life to her period home which dates back to the 1900s.
She and her partner, Ben, 43, purchased the five-bedroom, semi-detached property for £445,000 in August 2016 and could see the potential as soon as they stepped inside – particularly liking its original features and high ceilings.
But the home needed a serious revamp to bring it up to the couple’s standards – though they hoped to retain the period elements throughout.
“All the rooms were carpeted, including the bathroom, and we hoped that there were still original floorboards underneath,” Carla told Jam Press.
“It was in need of some TLC, but we could see how beautiful they would become.
“The property hadn’t been decorated for quite some time and the theme was a mix of 80s and 90s.”
They started by tackling the living room and used panelling to revamp the walls, which cost £2,000, followed by sanding and staining the original flooring for £1,000.
Carla said: “We added panelling to the lower half of the room using MDF and moulding strips.
“We then sanded the floors with an industrial sander, which we hired out.
“In the kitchen, we designed this ourselves and bought from DIY Kitchens, an online retailer.
“Although we hired a carpenter to fit ours, we cut out the middle man with no kitchen designer, so we saved money without compromising on quality.
“We completely gutted and refitted the bathroom, then changed the layout by moving the hot water tank into the loft storage area.
“Lastly, in the main bedroom, we added floor to ceiling panelling using MDF and mouldings.
“I also designed a built-in wardrobe with a hidden door to the ensuite.”
As they had no previous DIY experience, they hired professionals to carry out any work they were unable to complete themselves – but still learned some valuable skills.
Since then, Carla and Ben have also built radiator covers, a garden pergola, decking, fencing and a shed.
Luckily, many of the original features – including the authentic flooring – remained intact and were able to be upcycled as new.
Carla said: “[My favourite room] is the living room, because it’s full of period features and has great proportions.
“It’s also got an open fire, which creates a lovely atmosphere.
“We have done all the decorating and as much DIY as we could, as well as most of the garden and the tiling.
“We used plumbers, electricians, plasterers and carpenters for the rest.”
In total, they have spent £85,000 transforming the property and after six years the gorgeous family home is complete.
The house is so popular that Carla has even started renting out the space, called Location House of Beau, for photoshoots and filming.
She regularly shares shots of her home interior on TikTok and Instagram (@locationhouseofbeau) with her 79,000 followers.
In a clip posted on TikTok, which has nearly 912,000 views and over 147,000 likes, she shows their family home before and after.
Firstly, the kitchen can be seen in its original state, with wooden cabinets and plain white work surfaces.
Next, the original lounge can be seen looking drab and dated, while the bathroom looks like it’s come straight out of the 80s.
Plainly decorated bedrooms can be seen, which lack any character.
Carla then cuts to show the kitchen now, which is bright and minimalistic with lots of greenery. Original brickwork is still intact, with brand new appliances integrated underneath.
In the living room, a small lick of paint, some panelling and new furniture is all it took for this room to become a cosy space.
Artwork and new bedding really lifts the main bedroom and is a far cry from its original theme before.
“Wow. It’s gorgeous,” one viewer commented.
Another person added: “You have such beautiful taste. It is stunning.”
“This is my dream home, the decor is beautiful!” someone else said.
One viewer wrote: “The nicest house I’ve seen in TikTok.”
“Absolutely incredible transformation!! Should be so proud of what you have achieved!!” another viewer added.
Next, the couple plan to update the hallway and add bespoke shelving, panelling and storage to their playroom.
Sharing advice for other people renovating, Carla added: “Try and do as much as you can yourselves.
“Shop around where you can, as you don’t need to buy the most expensive items – mid range and budget can be really great quality too.
“Finishing touches really do matter, such as changing plastic switches for brass.
“It seems like a small detail, but makes a big difference to the overall look and finish.”
ENDS
