Bold Brenda designs ‘perfect’ home in ‘undesirable’ Chesterton
A former teaching assistant’s ‘crazy’ plan to transform a Chesterton bungalow created a ‘fantastic’ house in today’s Homes Under the Hammer. The episode, which was re-run today (April 26), followed guitarist and spiritual healer Brenda, as she bought a tired, detached bungalow on a generous plot for £70,000 at auction.
Brenda wanted to downsize from her two-bedroom terrace, but described Chesterton as ‘undesirable’. Brenda was most excited about the fact that the bungalow was detached, as it meant she wouldn’t have to worry about disturbing neighbours by singing in the middle of the night.
She explained: “When I get up at three o’clock in the morning because I can’t sleep, I can sing and play my guitar. I do both very badly.”
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Brenda intended to take out several walls, combining the living room and kitchen and also turning the two bedrooms into one large room. She would also move the bathroom to make the bedroom en-suite and add a small extension.
Host Martin Roberts responded: “Oh wow… I mean, I love taking out walls but you are going even crazier than I normally do.”
Its non-standard construction style made it unlikely Brenda would get a mortgage, but that did not bother the reiki practiser as she was a cash buyer and intended to make it her forever home. However, what started out as an exciting project was hampered by problems involving traders – and the discovery the whole place needed its insulation ripping out and replacing.
Brenda went £10,000 over her £30,000 renovation budget. That meant if she had sold the home, she would have most likely made a £10,000 loss, according to a Butters John Bee valuer. The project was further complicated when Brenda had to move into the unfinished bungalow ‘on and off’ while work was being done.
She told Homes under the Hammer: “I had some really good friends who cooked meals for me and allowed me to go there for showers. After about three or four months, I was exhausted with it all. I went to Scotland while the plastering was done and my really good friend tidied it up and painted it ready for me to move back into. Although there have been some downs, there have been some ups and some funny sides. It’s been absolutely well worth it. It’s made me feel years younger – and I certainly enjoyed the adventure.”
Once all the work was done, Brenda had completely transformed the out-of-date property. Originally consisting of an entrance hall; two bedrooms; a shower and toilet room; two big cupboards; and a kitchen, it was turned into a modern ‘apartment-style’ home.
Walls were knocked through to leave the property with an open-plan living room, new kitchen and diner, as well as one bedroom with a new en-suite bathroom.
A sound-insulated utility room was added off the open-plan area, while the whole property was painted white, beige and pink.
Outside, the overgrown back garden was overhauled and tidied up – and Brenda added a stylish pink summerhouse and a decking area with seating.
Homes under the Hammer host Martin Roberts congratulated her on creating ‘a perfect little forever home for herself’.
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