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AT HOME WITH

kitchen/sitting room, fitted a new kitchen
and renovated the bathroom, where we
kept all the 1930s Art Deco features such
as the bath, sink and glass wall tiles.”
The array of period features was a big
part of the property’s allure for Lauren
and Fraser, as she tells us: “We are so
lucky to have so many original features,
and so many in such good condition! We
have stained-glass doors in the hallway
and a stained-glass window on the stairs,
lovely cornicing, and all the original doors
and hardware. But our favourite feature
is, without a doubt, the original Victorian
tiles in our hallway, which we didn’t know
about when we viewed the house. They
were hidden under a carpet, and the
seller told us about them after the third
viewing; she said they’d been covered for
years, and she didn’t know what condition
they’d be in. I pulled the carpet up and I As the couple have worked on their property, been harder than expected, but worth it –
honestly felt like I’d won the lottery – they they also expanded their family, with the one standout memory is having no kitchen
were pristine, and so unique! I absolutely addition of a third child. Throughout their for over two months during lockdown, while I
love them.”
renovations, Lauren and Fraser have been very was heavily pregnant, with two children under
careful to blend the history and heritage of the age of 5! I initially wanted it all done as
“As soon as I walked through the front door, I their home with their own contemporary tastes, quickly as possible, but it’s been nice to take
knew this was the house we were going to live cultivating a beautiful finished look that spans our time with some decisions, as our ideas
in,” Lauren shares. “I can’t even explain why, various decades and genres, while maintaining have changed over time.”
I just had such a lovely feeling, and I knew the feeling of being a real family home to enjoy
straight away it was the one. We could see it had with their children. “I love mid-century furniture, Do the couple ever consider moving onto a
so much potential, and we couldn’t wait to put and rich, deep colours (especially green!), while new home? Lauren doesn’t think so: “We have
our own stamp on it.” we have velvet and brass in every room. Really, I discussed it, but I’d really struggle to leave this
aspire to have an elegant home, but for it to be house! If we can convert our attic in the future,
With their offer accepted, Lauren and Fraser homely and welcoming – having three children I think this will be our forever home.”
could make quick work of selling their own means it’s definitely not a showhome, but a
home, having had the photography and much-loved family home.” Reflecting on the journey that led them to
schedule created back when they initially their now-forever home, Lauren has some
thought of selling. They got their keys in The renovations have been done gradually sage advice to share with anyone hoping to
September 2019 and have been painstakingly over the past five years, and Lauren find the same in 2025: “Don’t be disheartened
personalising and refurbishing the house ever recommends taking as much time as you if you don’t get the first house you go for. We
since, turning it into their dream home, which can if you intend to stay in a property for the were so upset when we lost out, but I’m so glad
Lauren documents on Instagram. long term. “I think buying the right property we didn’t get that house now! It might not feel
takes time and isn’t something that should like it at the time, but everything happens for a
“The house was very liveable when we moved be rushed if you can help it. Renovating has reason and the right place is out there for you.”
in, it just needed a bit of upgrading,” Lauren
explains. We’ve redecorated every room, If you’d like to keep up with Lauren and Fraser’s renovations, you can follow along
knocked down walls to create an open-plan on Instagram @from_house_to_home_84.

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