Our Next Chapter: Embracing Change and a New Home Renovation Project in Leamington Spa

For those who follow my journey on Instagram, our big news may no longer be a secret: we’re moving! After much deliberation and preparation, we recently put our beloved home on the market and were thrilled to agree to a sale. And yes, the exciting news doesn’t stop there – we’ve also found our next abode. But more on that intriguing discovery in just a moment.

The Journey to a New Beginning: Why We Decided to Move

First, let’s delve into the ‘why’ behind this significant life change. I recently came across a wonderful post by Kimberly at Swoonworthy, detailing her and her partner’s thoughtful process of choosing a new home. Much of her experience deeply resonated with our own, inspiring me to share a more personal insight into our decision-making journey.

Graham and I find ourselves in a somewhat unique position. We don’t have children, and we’re both self-employed, which theoretically grants us the freedom to relocate almost anywhere. While this boundless choice can sound liberating, it often presents its own set of challenges. Without the typical constraints of school catchment areas or a fixed commuting radius, the sheer enormity of options initially felt quite daunting. The world was our oyster, and pinpointing the exact pearl proved to be a far more intricate task than anticipated.

Over the past several months, we meticulously explored a myriad of possibilities, engaging in countless discussions about our ideal next home. Our exploratory journey took us through diverse landscapes, from the ambitious idea of self-building a property from scratch, to envisioning a tranquil rural existence in the picturesque Cotswolds, and even considering a move to the charming county of Somerset. Each option held its own appeal, prompting us to weigh lifestyle against practicality, and dreams against reality. Yet, through all the exploration and soul-searching, one place consistently pulled at our heartstrings: Leamington Spa.

Why Leamington Spa Continues to Be Our Home

We’ve called Leamington Spa home for a number of years now, and our affection for this vibrant town has only deepened with time. It’s more than just a place to live; it’s a community teeming with friendly faces, interesting people, and a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. Its strategic location offers excellent transport links, making London and Birmingham easily accessible, which is a significant advantage for both work and leisure. Beyond its practical benefits, Leamington boasts an abundance of beautiful parks and verdant green spaces, providing serene retreats from urban life. The town centre itself is a treasure trove of independent shops, artisan boutiques, and inviting cafés, fostering a unique character that larger towns often lack. It came as no surprise to us when Rightmove recently crowned Leamington Spa the UK’s happiest place to live; it truly is a place that cultivates wellbeing and contentment.

Navigating the Leamington Spa Property Market

However, the very popularity that makes Leamington Spa so appealing also brings its challenges, particularly in the property market. High demand, coupled with robust local employment opportunities, means property prices here are considerably higher than in many other parts of the UK. We adore our current home – a charming 1960s mews-style property nestled close to the town centre, complete with a delightful south-facing garden. But as individuals who both work from home for a substantial part of the week, we’ve increasingly found ourselves craving a little more space. We also felt a growing readiness for a new project, a fresh canvas where we could truly leave our personal mark. We were ready for a change, eager to embark on a new adventure. As we began our search for a new home, a clear preference emerged: we yearned for a property brimming with character, possessing original period details that tell a story of bygone eras.

The Search for Period Charm: Overcoming Architectural and Practical Hurdles

Leamington Spa is renowned for its magnificent Regency architecture, drawing many admirers to its elegant townhouses. However, acquiring an exquisite Regency townhouse in the heart of the town centre can easily exceed a million pounds, making it an unrealistic option for us. At the other end of the market spectrum, more affordable flats and modern new-build homes are available in certain areas, but these often lack the inherent character we desired. There’s a noticeable shortage of high-quality period properties that also meet specific practical requirements, and such gems are typically snapped up incredibly quickly once they hit the market.

While I am deeply enamoured with the distinctive character of Victorian and Edwardian properties, a significant practical hurdle emerged: most of them are situated on busy, congested streets, often lacking a crucial amenity – a driveway. We all have at least one non-negotiable criterion when searching for a home, and for us, off-road parking was paramount. This practical necessity effectively ruled out the majority of Victorian and Edwardian properties, narrowing our search considerably and ultimately guiding us towards homes constructed in the 1930s.

The Unexpected Appeal of a 1930s Semi-Detached Home

Funnily enough, neither Graham nor I had ever seriously considered purchasing a 1930s-style property before this search. Yet, once we started viewing a few, we quickly discovered their immense appeal and potential. These homes are frequently built on generous plots, offering the coveted off-road parking that was so important to us. Furthermore, they often provide significant flexibility for future extensions or remodelling, allowing for creative adaptation to modern living without compromising their original charm. When you’re fortunate enough to find one in near-original condition, or one that has been sensitively updated, they truly exude a unique character that is both warm and inviting.

Our persistence paid off. We eventually found a three-bedroom semi-detached house that immediately captured our imagination. It retains some of its beautiful original features, including a charming tile-hung bay window and even the authentic 1930s fireplace – elements that instantly added to its allure. While it’s a little smaller than our ideal, we are confident that we can achieve the additional space we need through a thoughtful extension, perhaps creating a spacious open-plan kitchen-diner or an additional ground-floor living area. This house is, without a doubt, a complete fixer-upper. It demands a significant amount of work, promising to keep us thoroughly busy over the next year or so. However, far from being daunted, we are incredibly excited. We cannot wait to move in, roll up our sleeves, and begin the transformative journey of bringing this house back to life.

Evolving Design: Embracing Period Charm in Our New Interiors

This move represents a substantial shift from our current home, and indeed from my previous property. Both of my last two homes have been modern, contemporary-style properties, and my interior design aesthetic over recent years has undoubtedly been shaped by those sleek, open-plan environments. While I deeply appreciate contemporary design and the fluidity of open-plan living, after so many years in modern settings, I find myself craving a new creative challenge and a different style of home.

Whenever anyone seeks my advice on interiors, my foremost tip is always to work harmoniously with the existing style and character of your home, rather than against it. It’s already abundantly clear to me that my personal interior style is poised to evolve and transform in response to the unique personality of our new 1930s home. What perfectly suited a boxy, modernist 1960s house simply won’t translate effectively into a charming 1930s property with its distinctive round bay windows and original features. This realization has sparked a fervent period of inspiration and planning.

I’ve been meticulously creating moodboards on Pinterest, curating a vision that blends period authenticity with modern comfort. My current obsessions include elegant Crittall-style windows, which perfectly complement the era, and sophisticated Plantation shutters that offer both privacy and classic style. I’m envisioning a timeless Shaker-style kitchen, known for its craftsmanship and understated elegance, and meticulously researching the perfect taps and fixtures that will honour the bathroom’s heritage while providing contemporary functionality. Furthermore, I’ve been captivated by the beautiful oak parquet flooring from Woodpecker, which I featured last year. I still cherish a sample box in my studio, and I would absolutely love to incorporate this exquisite flooring throughout our new home, adding warmth, texture, and a touch of enduring luxury.

A Glimpse into #ProjectMove: Our 1930s Renovation Vision

Curious to see more of my evolving plans for what we’re affectionately calling #projectmove? Here’s a sneak peek at my latest Pinterest moodboard, where all these exciting ideas are starting to take shape and coalesce into a cohesive design vision.

Join the Conversation: Your 1930s Renovation Experiences

Have you ever undertaken the rewarding challenge of renovating a 1930s home? If so, I would absolutely love to hear about your experiences. What were some of the unexpected pitfalls or challenges you encountered with 1930s properties? And conversely, what aspects do you truly love and cherish about these distinctive homes? Your insights and advice would be invaluable as we embark on our own significant renovation journey.

Image: by Design Hunter