As a fully qualified interior designer and project manager with over 30 years of industry experience, renovating a 1960s property should have been second nature. I’ve done it countless times for clients—I understand the quirks of these buildings, the likely challenges, and where best to focus spend, refine detailing, and secure quick design wins.
So why was renovating my own home so unexpectedly difficult?
Possibly due to moving the day after a 3 year project handover.. or possibly due to starting renovations the week after we moved.. Both of which are things I would never advise a client to do. I probably would have recommended taking a two-to-three-month breather post-move to finalise designs and meet the team on site. I would have suggested budgeting for extended storage—six months at least—and, if feasible, moving into a short-term rental during the more disruptive phases of the build.
I know this stuff. I understand the process, the costs, and the common pitfalls—and I work hard to protect clients from unnecessary stress and upheaval.
So why wasn’t I kinder to myself?
Well, I thought I could cope; because I did before and loved every step of our previous renovation. I thrived from it, felt energised and inspired. But that was 15 years ago. Now, I’m a working mum juggling more responsibilities, with larger financial pressures due to the sharp rise in costs. This time, it’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about balancing build costs against long-term investments, pensions, and university fees.
It’s been tough.
My advice? If you’re moving into a new home, pause. Wait a couple of months before jumping into renovations (most people naturally probably do!).
Engage with builders early—but also speak to a structural engineer at the very outset. Their insight can be invaluable. They’ll help determine whether your proposed plans are likely to meet current building regs and can advise on potential foundation requirements.
In our case, we ended up needing piling foundations due to the clay-heavy soil of the Ashdown Forest and the proximity of large trees—especially eucalyptus. Something neither we nor our builders had anticipated, and it was a costly oversight, both in time and money.
Renovating can be exciting and deeply rewarding – but give yourself time to breathe, feel grounded, time to prepare and organise. Time to think, think again, consider, research, discuss. All the things I pride myself on and allow my client to do. Don’t start a renovation feeling rushed, or let anyone rush you. And literally start from (below the) ground up. It really does make all the difference.
