Couple spend £50,000 transforming their dated home into a modern paradise

A couple have spent £50,000 transforming their dated house into the modern home of their dreams. 

Lois Spencer-Tracey, 38, from Brentwood, Essex and her husband of nine years, Gary, 37, bought their first home in December 2015 for £250,000.

And, one year later, they began renovating the property, starting with the garden before moving on to the two bedrooms, bathroom and finishing with the kitchen. 

Couple have spent £50,000 transforming their dated home into a modern paradise (bathroom pictured before)

The couple began renovating the property (bathroom pictured after)

They started with the garden before moving on to the two bedrooms, bathroom (pictured after) and finishing with the kitchen

The couple began renovating the garden before moving on to the two bedrooms, bathroom (pictured after) and finishing with the kitchen

The couple completed nearly everything themselves with the exception of the electrics and plastering, which Lois’s stepdad lent a hand with, while they also had a new boiler installed by a professional. 

As part of the work, they replaced the ceilings, windows, both the front and back door, radiators and electrics, as well as re-plastered and fitted new floorboards as the previous ones were in a dire state.

Lois and Gary have so far spent £50,000 on the renovation, with £10,000 spent on the kitchen alone which underwent the biggest transformation.

‘When we first moved in, the house was bare, apart from the kitchen and bathroom,’ Lois said. 

Lois and Gary have so far spent £50,000 on the renovation but £10,000 of that was spent on the kitchen alone (pictured before)

Lois and Gary have so far spent £50,000 on the renovation but £10,000 of that was spent on the kitchen alone (pictured before)

The couple are now delighted with their new home but still plan on making more adjustments in the future (kitchen pictured after)

The couple are now delighted with their new home but still plan on making more adjustments in the future (kitchen pictured after)

The hardest part of the renovation was going back to brick (bedroom pictured during renovation)

Pulling down the old ceilings meant debris was everywhere (bedroom pictured during renovation)

The hardest part of the renovation was going back to brick and pulling down the old ceilings with the dust ‘going everywhere’ (bedroom pictured during renovation)

The couple, who have so far spent £50,000 on the renovation, transformed their spare bedroom into a large walk-in wardrobe (pictured after)

The couple, who have so far spent £50,000 on the renovation, transformed their spare bedroom into a large walk-in wardrobe (pictured after)

‘There was carpet throughout and we completely gutted every room and also started afresh in the garden.

‘The kitchen is our most expensive room.

‘Even though it is a small room, it cost £10,000, but we wanted to make it work for us as we enjoy cooking and we wanted something super different in look and feel.’

The couple re-plastered and fitted new floorboards as the previous ones were in a dire state (bedroom pictured during renovation)

The couple re-plastered and fitted new floorboards as the previous ones were in a dire state (bedroom pictured during renovation)

They have done nearly everything themselves (bathroom pictured during renovation)

But had help with the electrics and plastering (bathroom pictured during renovation)

They have done nearly everything themselves with the exception of the electrics and plastering (bathroom pictured during renovation)

The couple used their living room as a base while renovating the two upstairs bedrooms and bathroom (pictured during renovation) which took 10 months to complete

The couple used their living room as a base while renovating the two upstairs bedrooms and bathroom (pictured during renovation) which took 10 months to complete

The couple started by completely gutting every room before putting their own style into it (bathroom pictured after)

The couple started by completely gutting every room before putting their own style into it (bathroom pictured after)

The couple used their living room as a base while renovating the two upstairs bedrooms and bathroom which took 10 months to complete.

Speaking of the upstairs rooms, Lois added: ‘We put up new doors inside, along with new skirting, and we made our walk-in-wardrobe, my dressing table and cupboard.’

To save on money, Lois, who runs a blog called Bunni Punch and Gary, a welder and fabricator, also made a lot of their own bedroom furniture a bespoke palette bed with underneath lighting.

Lois and Gary started the transformation in the garden (pictured after)

It is now a relaxing and functional space (garden pictured after)

Lois and Gary started the transformation in the garden (pictured after) before working their way through the house

The hardest part of the renovation was going back to brick and pulling down the old ceilings with the dust ‘going everywhere’.

The couple are now delighted with their new home but still plan on making more adjustments in the future. 

Lois said: ‘We are so happy with our home transformation.

Lois has now warned others that before undertaking any similar projects to make sure they have the correct budget (spare bedroom pictured being transformed into a walk in wardrobe)

Lois has now warned others that before undertaking any similar projects to make sure they have the correct budget (spare bedroom pictured being transformed into a walk in wardrobe)

The couple decide to convert the spare bedroom into a spacious walk in wardrobe (pictured after)

It is now a tidy and useful space (pictured after)

The couple decide to convert the spare bedroom into a spacious walk in wardrobe (pictured after)

The couple used their living room as a base while transforming the upstairs room (spare room pictured after)

The couple used their living room as a base while transforming the upstairs room (spare room pictured after)

‘We only have the stairs and living room to complete, which will be super creative.

‘Gary will be making the bannister on the stairs himself and we are having exposed brick, feature wallpaper and vintage/industrial fittings put in.’

For anyone else considering transforming their own home, she added: ‘Before you get started, make sure you have the money to complete the work you want to do as lack of money can derail a project.

Lois said if she were to do the same again she would consider living in a caravan instead (kitchen pictured during renovation)

She said living in the house during transformation can take its toll (kitchen pictured during renovation)

Lois said if she were to do the same again she would consider living in a caravan instead while the transformation was being done (kitchen pictured during renovation)

The couple's biggest spend was their kitchen (pictured after) which took £10,000 of their £50,000 spend

The couple’s biggest spend was their kitchen (pictured after) which took £10,000 of their £50,000 spend

‘Also be ready for it to cost a lot more than you originally budgeted.

‘If I could do it again, I would consider living in a caravan instead of living in the house as it does take over your life. 

‘And it’s not great for your mental health, as you can’t get away from it and renovating could last years.’ 

The couple (pictured) are now delighted with their new home but still plan on making more adjustments in the future

The couple (pictured) are now delighted with their new home but still plan on making more adjustments in the future