Rosalyn's Loft Conversion En Suite Renovation Before & After! | Reno Club Spotlight
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rosalyn’s newly renovated en suite. image credit: reno club member @this_victorian_semi
Fiona Duffy
Working on projects across the UK, specialising in affordable renovations & timeless design
Did someone say en suite renovation??? With all those tricky angles and limited head height, they can be a pain to design.
I’ve called in our student Rosalyn to show us around her Victorian renovation and walk us through how she has transformed what was an awkward angled loft en suite, into a stylish bathroom – with a limited budget!
Get your pen and paper ready because I’ve asked Ros to share the renovation tips she’s learned to help you nail your en suite planning.
It’ll be a doddle! Let’s jump in…
Discover Rosalyn’s renovation story below. image credit: reno club member @this_victorian_semi
Welcome Ros! It’s fab to have you with me on the blog today. Tell readers what you do, and who do you live with?
I’m Rosalyn, and I’m a professional actor. I live with my incredibly smart husband and our two daughters, who are clearly on their way to outsmarting us! You could describe us as a hard-working, fun-loving and fairly laid-back family.
Tell us all about your Victorian renovation property – how did you come to own it?
We moved into our promising 1896 Victorian semi last year. The property has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and it’s our first period property.
We got our house in the North West for £25,000 under the asking price, but I still felt like we’d paid over for it slightly. Thank goodness, I have my husband to keep me in check. He made me realise that you can only buy what’s on the market, and I’ve not seen a better property since ours! I just love a bargain and that’s what our @this_victorian_semi is!
We have a tiny budget of around £50,000, and with this money, we hope to do the whole house out, including the garden.
I can hear you all laughing at this. But honestly, since we stumbled across Fiona and Neil’s course, we’ve saved so much time and money. And with their techniques and advice in tow, we’ve been able to stretch our budget much further.
a pre-renovation image of a bedroom in rosalyn’s home. image credit: reno club member @this_victorian_semi
What’s your vision for your new home?
The truth is, we sold our forever home last year for work-related reasons and to be closer to family and better schools. We all loved our old house. It was designed by an architect, had won awards and so on… We never took our home for granted, and we always appreciated the fact that we were living in a very special space, a home designed for family life.
We know why our old house worked for us as a family, and we knew we couldn’t recreate that home, so we opted for a period home - something different. We wanted the following in our new home:
We wanted to be a short walk away from the school and the train station.
We wanted a home that had equal-sized bedrooms for the kids.
We wanted a house that could be extended in the future.
And our Victorian semi ticks all of these boxes.
The vision is to continue making new memories in our home. And to have a family home that is inviting for us, our family and our friends.
The one element that we want to draw into our home is for it to have a ‘vacation-like’ feel to it. That was the feeling we and everyone who visited our previous home said they felt. It was like being on holiday.
pre-renovation, rosalyn’s bathroom was in need of some tlc. image credit: reno club member @this_victorian_semi
Can you tell us about the work you’ve completed so far?
So we tackled the loft room first. At the 11th hour, our kids decided they wanted to share a room! Not necessarily the first thing you want to hear after shelling out on a 4 bedroom house but we rolled with it.
We used the Fifi McGee spreadsheet to keep track of the costs we’d have to cover per room. We listed everything we could think of, then we took away anything that we could live without, recycle, upcycle, or do ourselves. Our budget got bigger as a result.
Some of the carpets were in good condition, so I got the ‘pro shampoo carpet cleaner’ out and cleaned them, and I spent some money on a rug instead. So instead of paying £2,000 to carpet the loft room, it only cost £300 for a beautiful large rug from Made.com.
We’ve spent just under £15,000, and we’ve completed six rooms by making shrewd decisions like this.
The remaining budget is now going to be spent on remodelling our kitchen diner. Instead of building new, we’re reworking the existing layout. (We’re getting close to finalising the plan). The next step is to make sure that the space and storage solutions work for us.
rosalyn’s tiles remind her of when she lived in the barbican area of london. image credit: reno club member @this_victorian_semi
Rosalyn has opted for sleek features in her bathroom. image credit: reno club member @this_victorian_semi
Here’s a rough breakdown of our total spend to date:
Primary Bedroom - £4,500
Loft Bedroom - £560
En suite - £8,500
Front Room - £849
Office- £60
Dressing Room/My Office/Guest room - £580
the all-important sink being fitted! image credit: reno club member rosalyn @this_victorian_semi
What’s the biggest problem you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
Discovering damp was quite daunting.
However, this is where reading blogs, scouring the internet and checking social media platforms paid off. All our research taught us that we needed to find the source and to eliminate potential causes as soon as possible.
We did this immediately, and we soon noticed that the problem was likely caused by too much soil being piled up against the front of the house. This soil was above the damp-proof line, which meant that dampness had started to appear inside the house.
After removing all the soil from the front of the house, we solved the damp problem that was on the wall under the bay window. We left the wall clear for 4 months and only painted the dried-out area last week.
Damp also seems to be affecting the fitted wardrobes that are against the external wall of the house. However, we think this may be rain-related.
it’s nice to have a bathtub in the house again! image credit: reno club member rosalyn @this_victorian_semi
Why did you join our online course?
We joined the course before we put an offer in on a 1930s detached house with a mahoosive garden.
We worked through the modules and started doing a detailed renovation budget, just like the modules suggest. We then had a meeting with an architect, and even though we had a very, very healthy renovation budget, we quickly realised that our budget was not enough to do a kitchen extension and a loft conversion.
The cost of building materials was going to be a significant drawback, as it will be for all renovators at the moment! At this point, we had a bit of a reality check, and in the end, we pulled out of that house purchase.
Big takeaway - We realised that we weren’t going to be living in the garden. And it didn’t make sense to live in a house that wasn’t right for our family of four.
try and leave your bathroom’s pipework where it is and you could save money like rosalyn! image credit: reno club member @this_victorian_semi
What’s surprised you the most about renovating?
That you can save £1000s just by painting. AND how much painting is involved 😂
Tell us more about your bathroom renovation – it’s absolutely gorgeous!
So the bathroom wasn’t difficult because I had absorbed everything in the bathroom module like a sponge (pun intended). We’d bought many(!) copies of Real Homes in 2022, so we knew our taste and what style we wanted for the bathroom.
A place to hide toilet paper, bathmats and cleaning supplies! image credit: reno club member rosalyn @this_victorian_semi
why not add a touch of greenery to your bathroom? image credit: reno club member rosalyn @this_victorian_semi
In terms of where to source the products, an actor that I worked with recommended a company called Atlas Bathrooms to us. She’d lived in several homes that had a bathroom from Atlas.
I believe in recommendations, so we went to one of their showrooms. They didn’t disappoint!
We talked through various sanitary ware options, but I’d actually picked up a Duravit brochure from another bathroom company in Wilmslow. In the end, I asked if they could order in the ME by Philippe Starck range, and they did!
They recommended a bath I’d never heard of by Bette. It’s made of steel which appealed to me as it’s more sustainable than a plastic bath. I gave them the dimensions and explained that I wanted to move away from the traditional look because I wanted the bathroom to remind me of our favourite place in the Cotswolds.
I knew I wanted the whole JTP taps, and even though they didn’t stock them, they ordered them for me.
We take a lot of inspiration from our lives, and all the objects and pieces in our house either evoke positive memories or create new ones for us.
For example, the stacked white metro tiles remind us of when we lived in the Barbican area of London.
The small stool, circa the 1930s, belonged to my husband’s grandma when she was little and was gifted to us when she passed away. One evening during lockdown, I asked my husband if I could paint it yellow (Yellow Pink by Little Greene). It now takes pride of place in the bathroom.
this bathtub is the perfect place to unwind in after a long day! image credit: reno club member rosalyn @this_victorian_semi
Do you have any tips to share with readers who are renovating a bathroom?
Plan as well as you can.
Think about your needs as a couple/family.
Think about the potential future needs of your family.
Design and functionality have to go hand in hand.
the bathtub’s on it’s way to stardom! image credit: reno club member rosalyn @this_victorian_semi
Buy classic pieces and don’t be pushed into trends. My husband and I couldn’t agree on some features, like the brassware. He wanted a particular design, and me another, so we compromised. I happen to love the aged/antique brass/bronze look now.
Your online course talks a lot about integrating storage, so we knew we were going to place storage cabinets behind the bath. It hides the toilet rolls, bath mats and cleaning products.
Another tip from the Reno Club guides was to place the taps for the shower opposite the shower enclosure! This works! It’s so nice not getting soaked or drenched in cold water when you get into the shower.
Think carefully about what you need and how much it costs.
For example, I originally wanted a gloss slim metro tiled wall. That would have cost about £800 for the tiles. We pondered it and decided that we could achieve a ‘clean lines’ look without that extra cost. We spent £241 on tiles instead. No regrets!
The same thing happened with our decision not to have a freestanding bath and separate shower in the en suite. That would have cost over £1,000 for the bath, plus labour to move the pipework. We went for a Bette ocean low-line bath in the end (£800 and no extra labour).
add a touch of history to a bathroom by placing an heirloom in it! image credit: reno club member rosalyn @this_victorian_semi
The bath sits perfectly under the sloped ceiling. It’s a very spa-like feeling being in it. And yes, I did sit in the bath at the showroom (twice!) to check I was happy with it. Fully clothed, of course. :)
How long did the bathroom renovation take to complete?
Two months.
The en suite was completed in the fortnight running up to Christmas, so it was fully usable.
The floor fitter was booked for early January, but we measured up incorrectly for the vinyl and had to send it back and re-order it again. Big lesson learnt. We did get all of our money back minus the re-stock fee, though. It could have been worse.
They also delivered the next batch for free as I asked them to - another tip from the reno guide! It was then fitted in early February due to the trade team's availability.
We always expect a snag, so we always have a contingency of 15% baked into our room budgets. This was also a tip in the reno club modules. We take it on the chin as it really is part of the parcel when renovating without a project manager.
You cannot think of everything! And if you can, then you should totally switch careers and start raking it in as a project manager!
pre-reno rosalyn’s bathroom was lacking a little character! image credit: reno club member @this_victorian_semi
rosalyn’s toilet and sink were calling out for an upgrade! image credit: reno club member @this_victorian_semi
You’ve kept your en suite design cohesive to the rest of your home – was this difficult for you to achieve?
Thank you so much for saying that as it’s something we’re very mindful of.
During Lockdown 1.0, I had some free time, so I decided to enrol on some courses. One of these courses was the How to Renovate a House Online Course. I gave it a go, and I loved it! It set me on the path that I’m walking on now! The truth is, I’ve always been fascinated by spaces, how they make me feel, and how they can be used.
I also watch Interior Design Masters, and when Michelle says, ‘rooms have to speak the same language’, I listen!
work progressed very quickly for rosalyn and her family! image credit: reno club member @this_victorian_semi
All our colour choices sit within the Little Greene National Trust Stone palette. Colour really affects my mood here in the North West, where sunny days can seem in short supply!
The front of the house is east-facing, and I find myself dropping in a lot of ochre/mustard tones so it feels sunnier in there on grey days.
I’d advise others to think very hard about how they feel when they walk into a room. Hotels, friends' houses, childhood homes or even previous abodes can act as inspirations.
As I mentioned earlier, many of the items in my home evoke very strong positive memories, and I try to surround myself with these items. I do look at Instagram and Pinterest, but I’m also mindful about creating a sanctuary and a space that leans into the practicalities of daily life.
Rosalyn and her husband opted for an aged-brass look for their taps! image credit: reno club member @this_victorian_semi
Tips:
Listen to those who work in design and build every day.
Be guided by your own principles, just like I am.
Communicate to professionals what you want and then see what they suggest.
pre-reno the bathroom didn’t suit the needs of a family of four. image credit: reno club member rosalyn @this_victorian_semi
natural light flowed into the bathroom pre-reno and rosalyn wanted to make sure the light situation stayed like this! image credit: reno club member @this_victorian_semi
What route did you take for the build and why?
Get the best person for the job.
Fitting a bathroom is a specialist job, and you need an experienced plumber to carry out the work, especially in period homes, I think.
Our bathroom fitter got booked up super quickly, and he let us know that it would be a nine-month wait if we went with him. We booked him, though. It was definitely the right decision, as he called me about eight weeks later as a cancellation came up. We jumped at the chance.
This is why I like to get my schemes partially fleshed out well in advance. I started planning the en suite while we were still renting! It’s wise to live in the property for a time before making alterations, but I also try to keep our plans as flexible as possible. But it paid to be organised in our case.
Don your creative hat and think about what reno work you could do in a limited space. image credit: reno club member rosalyn @this_victorian_semi
How did you keep your costs under control? What have you learned and practiced?
Use the spreadsheet provided as part of the course. It’s very easy to see when you go into the red!
Always ask for free delivery.
Always ask for a discount. I got great discounts on the bathroom suite. Retailers are trying to sell in a very competitive market and at a challenging time, so use this to your advantage no matter what your budget is.
We came in under budget because, as mentioned earlier, we didn’t move any of the pipework in the room.
We could have put a freestanding bath under the roof window, but we asked ourselves, how much time do the kids or us have to appreciate that extra cost? At the moment, zero.
The shower screen will take us slightly over budget as it will be bespoke and made to measure for the sloped ceiling. We’ve not bought it yet, though. Our main objective was to get a bath as there wasn’t one in the whole house.
Down the line, we will be moving the middle-floor family bathroom from its current location to allow for a freestanding bath and separate shower in there.
Rome wasn’t built in a day.
rosalyn stuck with the original layout of the room to help reduce costs. this is something you should consider doing too. image credit: reno club member @this_victorian_semi
Did you do any work yourselves?
We painted the en suite ourselves. We found that using the best quality paint, Little Greene in our case, made the job so much easier.
We wouldn’t take on specialist work ourselves as we are not that confident (yet).
Out with the old bathroom fixtures and in with the new! image credit: reno club member rosalyn @this_victorian_semi
What’s been your biggest challenge so far?
The biggest challenge has been hiring tradespeople.
There are a lot of tradespeople in our area, but the good ones are booked up months in advance. The quotes that came back for tiling, skimming, and plastering were eye-watering - about £750. We managed to save a little by spending more time prepping the walls and, again, using good-quality paint.
a completed bathroom that’s modern and sleek but has a touch of rosalyn’s personality! image credit: reno club member @this_victorian_semi
What would you say to a newbie renovator?
Buy magazines! Instagram and Pinterest are great, but it’s easy to lose track of images. Even I found this, and I have a folder where I collect images, decor, and styles for every room in the house.
Set a budget per room. Look closely at what you have and can reuse.
Sell any furniture you don’t need and use your money wisely when buying new pieces.
We found it incredibly helpful to get our flooring and bedrooms decorated first. When you’re doing all the painting yourself, having a nice tidy bedroom to sleep in gives you the strength to go on.
I know it’s not always possible but keep one room clutter-free.
I lacked confidence in my own ability to paint, but the cost of living crisis soon made me toughen up. There are so many resources online, like YouTube, and you can make use of them to help you get started.
Tile a tiny splashback in a cloakroom, and if it works, see how you get on with a bigger area.
Use masking tape to map out the actual measurements of items you plan on putting in a room. Leave it there and look at it every day. Try to mimic how the room will look as best as you can if you can.
Quick-fire questions! :)
What’s the strongest emotion you connect with renovating your house?
Energy. It’s all hard work.
What one tip would you give to our readers that are thinking about renovating a house?
Borrow any painting and decorating kits from a friend or family member. See how you get on first and then invest in proper kits because they cost about £300.
What did you go over budget on and why?
We came in under budget because we didn’t move any of the pipework in the room. Design with cost in mind.
What was the most rewarding aspect of your project and why?
Seeing the vision come to life. When we saw how different the en suite looked with our personal choices in place, we were so happy. There are lots of ways you can change things, but the best way to measure your success is to ask yourself how you feel when you’re in the room. If you feel good when you’re in there, you’ve done well.
What was the most difficult decision you had to make while renovating?
Placement. The actual placement of the sink, the bath taps and the size of storage.
Knowing everything that you know now, would you go through your renovation again?
Yes, having a bath in our home was essential for us.
Where are your bathroom tiles, taps and finishes from? And what’s that beautiful paint colour you’ve used?
Tiles from Tile Warehouse
All taps, shower fittings, and towel rail from JTP
The column radiator is from Eastbrook
The wall colour is Masquerade 333 Little Greene
A huge thank you to Rosalyn for sharing her renovation journey.
If you’re overwhelmed by your renovation, fearful of costs spiralling or getting elements wrong and having to redo work – we’ve been in your shoes.
But what if…
There are simple methods you can adopt to save you money, achieve a layout that flows well, and give you peace of mind you’re not making expensive mistakes.
I can reel of loads of ways to do this! I practice these methods daily during my work for clients.
I created a free renovation email series to help you start.
In the first email I’ll walk you through ways to save thousands on your project – in a video masterclass.
So start there if you’re ready for renovation support. Or if you want access to my full process, get notified for our next renovation course enrolment.
I can’t wait to support you!
Fi
