Page 44 - ESPC July 2022

AT HOME WITH

The power of nostalgia A splash of paint makes all the difference
Hannah knew the flat at Leith colonies was How can buyers be more creative with their
the one because she immediately felt at home décor? Hannah says to “try one project at a time
there and the woman showing them round the so it doesn’t feel like living on a building site”.
flat talked about what it was like growing up in a
flat her family had owned for 60 years. Hannah “We’re not perfectionists – we’re doing it
says: “The woman who showed us round was ourselves and we’re not professionals,” she
the daughter of the owners and told us a few adds. “My favourite place in the flat is the
stories of how it was growing up in the flat. She shutters on the windows. We have got a lovely
told us her dad worked on the home himself bay window. The wallpaper was peeling so
and projects would take some time around we pulled it back and uncovered the original
his paid job which reminded me of the way my shutters under it. The light comes through in
dad did work in my childhood home. There was the morning and looks lovely.”
always something half-finished somewhere!
Her dad made his own cabinets which made us On whether her husband supports the bright
feel very creative. décor choices, Hannah says: “Alex is really
creative. He’s not afraid of trying anything
“The area is so welcoming and it felt immediately new and he likes unusual ideas so he’s very on
like this is our home. People in the area really board. He’s been so pleased with the response
made a difference. Alex loves cats and there are we’ve got on social media.”
so many here on the street.”
Hannah has some astute advice to share with
After moving in, Hannah started putting her anyone looking to buy in the current market:
own stamp on the place and one of her first “Just try to see as many places as possible to
projects was her transformation of the staircase see their potential. You have to have additional
which went viral and was picked up by news money so look under your budget. We set the
outlets. Using some bright and unique colour search on ESPC to the maximum we could
combinations, the pair lit up the stairs, which afford and then realised it could go over the
went from a dark wood panelled brown to an eye- home valuation price.
popping mint and lilac. The project cost just £87.
“There’s lots of competition in the market at the
“Most of it is just paint so if you don’t like it you moment. Put in offers and sense check things.
can just paint over it,” Hannah says. “I haven’t On two occasions we were agonising over an
been surprised at the reaction. I’m creative. offer but you can’t commit to a place until an Hannah’s top tips for first time buyers
People who come round find it joyful and are offer is accepted. You should try to see as many
always asking what we’re doing next. It allows places as you can to see the potential of these • If you don’t like it, you can just paint • Try to see as many properties as possible
people to enjoy something totally different.” places under your budget.” over it
• Look under your budget as you need
• Do one project at a time so it doesn’t additional money
feel like living on a building site
You can follow Hannah’s interiors journey over on Instagram @weeleithcolony • Don’t commit to somewhere until an
• Allow time to get things wrong – offer is accepted
mistakes are all part of the experience

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