Send us a text The addiction they don’t talk about - Interior Doom Scrolling!I know, I know, it’s all very nice and ‘inspirational’ to spend hours drooling over other people’s homes on Pinterest and Instagram, trying to imagine what your home renovation could one day become.I’ve been there… you look up your from your phone and an hour and a half has passed… I mean, who knew drug dealer Jesse Pinkman from Breaking Bad would grow up to have SUCH good taste!? But here's the truth...

Send us a textCowboy. Builders. 🤠Two words I hear every time when talking to future renovators about their top worries about starting a project. So this weeks’ episode is here to help with that, it promises to arm you with the knowledge to identify those sneaky red flags that could save you from costly and frustrating renovation disasters. Inside I’ll cover 7 Red Flags you should have your eyes wide open to before hiring a contractor or builder. Including: 1. Lack of Proper Lic...

Send us a textHello and Happy Halloween!This week, as it’s my 31st episode and we are in Halloween week, I’m taking you back to some of my own Renovation Horror Stories! Join me inside as I recount some of the scariest, hairiest times during my 16 years of renovating. From collapsing foundations to nosy neighbours and surprise pregnancies, it’s all in there - and as always, I treat you to some tips on how to deal with all the tricky situations.I’ll see you inside to share my reno horrors...

Send us a textHave you ever asked someone’s opinion on something and then regretted it? Me too. It can get awkward.When it comes to something as big (and as expensive) as a home renovation, you’ll want to make sure that you’re asking the right people for their input. Mayyyybeeee NOT Mary* in accounts whose home you’ve never laid an eye on before. I find that when people discover you’re renovating, SO many are willing to add their advice and opinions, all usually well-meaning and with good int...

Send us a textRenovation projects can take their toll on our time, patience and pocket, and rushing in without proper planning can be a big mistake.In this episode I talk through six design decisions you should make early on in your renovation project to save you time and money (and maybe even your sanity and your relationships too!) For a smooth running project, tune in to hear why I rate a style board as my number one. That may seem like strange place to start, but hit ‘listen now’ to ...

Send us a textThis episode is a gem! I interview interior stylist Emma Morton-Turner. Emma is a fellow podcaster and has been an Interior Stylist and writer for over twenty years. She’s styled home and interiors magazine photo shoots, company brochures, press launches and she also writes features for interiors magazines.And if that’s not enough, Emma is also the founder of InsideStylists, which is a platform for other interior stylists, writers assistants and photographers, giving t...

Send us a textDecision fatigue is real, and if you’ve renovated before, you’ll know that there are hundreds, if not thousands (depending on the size of your reno) of decisions you have to make. It’s a common challenge that can halt your progress and completely drain your energy, so in this week’s episode of How To Renovate, I approach the topic and give you 5 ways to avoid decision fatigue during your renovation.These five strategies will help you to make confident choices and keep your ...

Send us a text In this episode we’re talking delays! EEK!Everyone wants to avoid delays onsite once build works have started because they are a major frustration - your builders are twiddling their thumbs while the budget over-runs each day of the delay! Avoiding delays as much as possible is a win-win - you get to move back into your home on time AND you save money.Join me inside the episode as I’m dishing out 5 Tips on How To Avoid Delays Onsite, I’ll chat through &nbsp...

Send us a textThis week on the podcast we’re talking about a big decision when you’re about to renovate, it’s whether you should stay in your property while the building works are taking place, or whether you should move out. Now, of course this depends on may factors, like your budget, or whether a major home renovation can coexist with your daily life. Join me inside the episode for 6 things you should consider when making this decision. From the size and duration of your renovati...

Send us a textWarning! This episode contains a few instances of swearing!In this, our very first interview episode on the podcast, I sit down with TV’s Laura Jane Clark, Architect, Author and presenter on TV shows like Ugly House to Lovely House, George Clarke's Amazing Spaces, Shed of the Year, and of course – the popular Your Home Made Perfect.I was honoured to have Laura on as my first guest, she is so personable and was great fun to interview. In this episode, we chat about how Laura foun...

Send us a Text Message.Renovating well is ALL about the planning.In this episode, I chat through just how important planning and front-loading your renovation is to avoid delays to your project.If you know your taps will take 22 weeks to arrive (crazy, I know!) then at least you can plan for it not to affect your build schedule. I’ll give you 5 things you can do to avoid supplier delays and long lead times, from ordering early to having back-up alternatives. Also in the episode...

Send us a Text Message.If you choose your flooring well it can handle anything from daily family traffic to spontaneous Friday night discos.This week on the podcast we’re talking flooring. One of the decisions my clients tend to get most flustered about during the reno process, is making the right choice when it comes to flooring. It just covers so much surface area! So not only do they want it to look good, but be durable enough to handle daily life and those dance moves too.But do...

Send us a Text Message.Home renovations can be a strain. A strain on time, money and relationships, but they can also be exciting. Watching your vision come to life - from that initial sketch on a napkin that you did when you were out with your partner discussing the possibilities one evening, to seeing every stage being built into reality. It is quite an achievement, so make sure that you take the time to celebrate the milestones and find joy in the process.Join me inside this ep...

Send us a Text Message.This week we’re talking about how to deal with neighbours during a renovation project.And if you’ve done a reno before, you’ll know that this can be very tricky!But in this episode I’m giving you all the info and advice to keep that neighbourly love going strong 🖤 !Whichever you look at it, you will be disturbing your neigbours daily lives during your renovation project, but use these tips and you’ll be setting yourself up to maintain those good relationships with your ...

Send us a Text Message.If you’re anxious about facing the daunting chaos of a home renovation, then this episode is for you. The construction phase can be a rollercoaster – it starts off all exciting, then moves into a lull of dust and debris for months, with a high of seeing everything starting to come together at the end. In this episode, I dive into 6 things you can do to reduce stress during the construction phase of a renovation. Of course good planning makes an appearance (if you’v...

Send us a Text Message.This week we’re talking planning permissionStarting a home renovation project can be an exhilarating experience, but the bureaucratic hurdles of the planning permission process can often be off-putting. In this episode, I’ll go over 5 things you can do to help secure that all-important permission that will allow you to start building your dream home. We’ll cover why it’s important to do your research and why communication is crucial. Join me inside to ge...

Send us a Text Message.Living onsite during a reno is tough!In this episode I chat through 7 things you can do to prepare for your home reno to start onsite - including the dilemma of whether to stay put or decamp during a renovation?It’s a big decision, because staying could save you money, but leaving could save your sanity!I’m also sharing stories of living through my own renovations in a home-turned-construction site, from falling debris to washing my hair in a bucket! 😂Join me insid...

Send us a Text Message.Feeling odd? It’s probably the lighting. Have you ever flipped the switch on in a room only to find it feeling odd, but you’re not quite sure why? It’s probably the lighting – badly planned!Well planned lighting is one of those things that will give your project that considered feel – it’s that intangible element - where the space has a beautiful atmosphere and you just feel automatically relaxed and comfortable in it. Of course you want ambience, but the lighting ...

Send us a Text Message.This one’s a biggie – are you ready?Getting realistic quotes for your project is make-or-break, but without strong guidance from you, builders quotes can come in vastly differently, and an underestimated quote can lead to tense relationships onsite, stressful budget overruns and unmet expectations.In this episode, I cover three very important things you should do to secure as precise a builder quote as possible. Style boards make an unexpected appearance, but you’ll be ...

Send us a Text Message.Do I really need an architect? It’s one of the first questions I’m asked when carrying out initial renovation consultancy meetings. While hiring an architect is optional, there are many benefits to having one on board. From quality of design to guidance with the potentially tricky planning application process.In this episode I dissect 3 examples of when you do, and 2 examples of when you might not need an architect. So if you’re currently wrestling with ...

Send us a Text Message.This week we’re back to budgets!If you’re thinking of renovating but unsure about where to pour in the cash, or tighten the purse strings? Then this episode is for you. I’ll walk you through 4 things to splurge on, and 4 things to save on.I’ll cover the crucial areas you should spend on and in this episode I share some of my reno cost-cutting secrets.To ensure your renovation project is both financially shrewd and stunningly executed, join me inside! *********...

Send us a Text Message.Budget overruns during the construction phase are a major concern for renovators. The reno process is already quite testing, and if you throw in uncertainty over budget, it can become quite overwhelming.In this episode we peel back the layers on the unexpected challenges that may come up during your renovation. We delve into the strategies for mastering prioritising and negotiating your renovation when the numbers start to climb. A tactical itemise...

Send us a Text Message.In this episode I guide you through the nuances of party wall agreement, and just why they're so important when it comes to construction near shared walls or boundaries. I’ll cover what exactly a party wall agreement is, when you need one and I’ve got a quick 6-step overview for you so that you can quickly familiarise yourself with the process – without all that legal jargon – from serving notice to your neighbours to securing that all-important go-ahead before you brea...

Send us a Text Message.Bathrooms can be very tricky spaces to design…they are usually smaller spaces in the home, so careful space planning and having a good, functional layout is essential. In this episode I share my five top tips to elevate this small space into your personal sanctuary. With 28% of UK renovators opting to revamp their bathrooms, it's evident that the quest for the perfect washroom is on!Inside this episodeJoin me inside the episode to discuss the essentials of sp...