Student Makeover: Clare’s Timeless 1930s Semi Kitchen Renovation

Clare joined our online renovation course when she and her partner Zak bought a semi-detached house in Hove that needed everything doing, from rewiring to replumbing and even asbestos removal.

They felt doubtful and afraid they’d make some big mistakes with their project, not knowing where to start or who to hire…

But with the support of the course and later opting for our Bespoke Kitchen Service they quickly transformed every single dated room into the dream home for their family.

We were so thrilled for Clare and her results that we had to drop in for a cuppa and to get some snaps.

Below, she shares the costs of their project, the challenges they faced (especially with the kitchen!), and how our course supported them along the way.

First time renovator Clare

The exciting day they got the keys!

Please introduce yourselves and a bit about your journey to purchasing a renovation property. Did anything interesting happen along the way?

Hi! We're Clare and Zak, and we bought our semi-detached house in Hove around four years ago. We hadn’t specifically set out to take on a renovation, but the potential of the house and its location really appealed to us. We actually found it by putting notes through letterboxes in the area, and were lucky to hear back from the owners of this house, just two doors down from Clare’s sister!

Tell us a bit about what was involved in your renovation and at which stage you renovated your kitchen

The house needed a full overhaul – rewiring, replumbing, asbestos removal etc. The kitchen was one of the last rooms to be completed, although it was a key part of our plans from the very beginning.

How long did the renovation take from start to completion? And how long did the kitchen take

The full renovation took around six months. The kitchen took just over three months from start to finish.

What was the total cost to complete your kitchen renovation?

We spent approximately £35,000 on the kitchen.

What was the breakdown of costs?

e.g. cabinetry, worktops, appliances, tiling, flooring, lighting, painting & decorating, etc

Roughly:
Cabinetry: £25,000
Worktops: £5,000
Appliances: £5,000
Flooring, lighting and decorating costs were included in the overall renovation budget.

You chose to go with our Bespoke Kitchen Service. What made you choose a bespoke kitchen over an off-the-shelf option? Was the price fair?

We explored a few off-the-shelf options, but they were either too expensive or didn’t offer the quality we were after. Going bespoke allowed us to make the most of the space, and the design support helped us shape something that’s both functional and well-fitted to the house. For the quality and service, we felt the cost was very fair.

Your kitchen is stunning! Can you tell us about some of your layout & design choices and why you made them?

Thanks! We wanted the space to feel light and open, while still reflecting the character of the house. A large island gives us plenty of prep space and informal seating, and we included full-height cabinetry along one wall to make the most of the storage. The pantry cupboard has also been a really useful addition.

What was your experience with our cabinetry team?

Really positive. The team was approachable, responsive, and clearly cared about getting the details right. They were great at listening to our ideas and offering solutions where needed.

How did our online course help you during the renovation process? Were there any particular modules or lessons that stood out?

We were so relieved when we found your online course, as we had never done a renovation before and didn’t know where to start! The entire course was really helpful, especially at the start. The budgeting module was invaluable, and I used the budgeting spreadsheet throughout the entire process. The design section helped us refine our style and develop our colour choices. Overall, the course gave us much more confidence as we moved through the renovation.

How did you feel about your renovation before you joined us and how did you feel once you made progress? Were there any challenges you faced that the course helped you overcome?

At first, it all felt quite overwhelming – there’s so much to think about. But once we started the course and became part of the Reno Club, things felt more manageable. One of the trickiest aspects was working out the right order to do things in, and the course helped us figure that out.

How did you decide on the design for the overall aesthetic of the kitchen?

We were after something that felt like a natural extension of the rest of the house – a mix of traditional and more contemporary elements. Instagram and mood boards helped, but the course really helped us focus and pull things together in a coherent way.

How did you cope during the renovation work?

It was definitely intense at times. We weren’t able to live in the house during the work, so we rented nearby, which helped us stay close to the project. There were moments of decision fatigue, but working with a reliable kitchen team made a big difference.

If you had to give one piece of advice to a first time renovator, what would it be?

Take your time with the planning—it really does pay off later. And definitely build in a healthy contingency as costs can spiral more quickly than you’d expect.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about joining the online courses & Reno club community?

We’d definitely recommend it. The course gives you solid, practical guidance, and the community is a great source of support. It helped us feel more informed and less alone during what can be quite a full-on process.

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