Page 42 - September2023

AT HOME WITH...

Christina’s top tips

Check the building’s listed status – it could You don’t always need an
affect what scale of work you’re able to do. architect to do your plans. We
knew exactly what we wanted, so we
Building warrants and tradespeople take time, got an architectural technician to do
so while you might be eager to start knocking our plans, which helped save money.
IWC Media/BBC Scotland/Kirsty Anderson IWC Media/BBC Scotland/Kirsty Anderson
down walls, you need to factor in the time it takes
to get permissions and when your trades are I’ve never known renovations, big
available. or small, which haven’t exceeded
Even though the property was in a dilapidated Finally, Christina and Ben could call the the estimated timescales, so really
state, having been used by squatters and dilapidated railway station their home – and If you’re working with tradespeople and think about the impact that will have
defaced with graffiti, the couple could see then the renovations could begin. The couple contractors, do not assume that what’s in your on your living situation, whether
that the three-storey building had real had big plans for the transformation, and head is the same as what’s in theirs. We had a few you’re staying in the home or renting
potential to become their dream home. The couldn’t wait to get stuck in. instances where we had to redo something because elsewhere while the works are being
former train station even had a garden, which I didn’t make my expectations clear enough. completed.
used to be the railway platform. “The biggest aspect of the renovation was the
open-plan kitchen/living area. We knocked
“We’d done some minor work on our flat, through to create the space, opened the ceiling
so we weren’t shy of renovations, and the space in the kitchen to create a double height
thought of being able to create a home aspect, and added in roof lights. We also found
completely bespoke to our taste was very an odd space in our bedroom, which was the
appealing. So, we estimated what the space from under the stairs, and created an
renovation costs might be, and on the sound ensuite there out of what was basically a hole
advice of our solicitor, we bid as much as we in the stone. The rest of the renovation was the
could stretch to at the closing date. We found likes of insulating, replacing floors, replastering
out afterwards that there were 12 other bids!”
and redecoration throughout! Because of the
scale of the works, I love that we have a home
Following their successful bid, the where each element has been chosen by us:
couple waited with bated breath for the every tile choice, every wall colour, every tap is
sale to go through. “Our mortgage was there because we picked it. I fear this will make
nearly withdrawn because of the state us very spoiled should we ever move again!”
of the house,” Christina tells us. “It’s not
something I’d even considered before, but
it was a huge lesson learned that a house The hard work turning this decaying wreck
in disrepair might not meet certain lenders’ into a stunning family home has truly paid off;
standards. Thankfully, our mortgage the couple were delighted to win Scotland’s
advisor was able to liaise with our solicitors Home of the Year earlier this year, with the
and the lender, and somehow persuaded judges calling the property “a sanctuary in the
them to not withdraw our mortgage offer at city”. We can see why - what a truly stunning
the last minute!” property, and a fantastic transformation.

You can see more of Christina and Ben’s home by following them on Instagram @oldtrainhouse, and you can watch the latest
series of Scotland’s Home of the Year on BBC iPlayer.
IWC Media/BBC Scotland/Kirsty Anderson
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