Is this the most colourful home in the UK? | The House That Colour Built Interview

IMAGE: @THEHOUSETHATCOLOURBUILT

As of writing, Jess and Rick, a.k.a. The House That Colour Built, have built an Instagram following of 30,000 followers, in only 18 months! There’s a reason why their feed is so compelling….

In the last year we’ve all watched in fascination as they turn their 1930s house into a kaleidoscope of pastels.

It was heartwarming to discover that our website had helped Jess and Rick even before they bought their house. In Jess’ words: “I came across your blog when I first started house hunting, and it inspired me so much to think ‘yes, we can renovate’”. It’s always so lovely to hear how we are encouraging would-be renovators.

We wanted to lift the lid on their renovation journey, their house, choice of colour, and survival for anyone renovating.

Talking renovations with Jess – one half of the skyrocketing Instagram @thehousethatcolourbuilt

Jess, rick & Merla in their Diner

Jess! I’m so excited you’re joining me today to talk renos and share your project with readers. So first, tell everyone about your 1930s house – what was it like before you began work and what did you love about it?

We loved the house’s features like the big bay windows, and high curved ceilings! Luckily we had all our original doors and staircase intact, they were just covered with ply boards. The garden was overgrown but so much bigger than our old one, we just loved how established it was. Oh and the neighbours were amazing from day 1! 

What structural work have you done to the house so far?

We’ve had a single story extension off the old kitchen (which is now our utility room) and we’ve taken out the windows from the dining room so that it’s now an archway info the extension (our kitchen). We also had to remove a massive chimney breast from the old kitchen and In the bathroom directly above.

Did you appoint an architect for the build?

Our builder did our initial drawings (he’s been in the trade for over 40 years and just the most amazing man) and then he had the plans drawn up for us - we knew exactly what layout we wanted to it was really straight forward. 

How far do your DIY skills stretch as a couple, are you hiring any trades?

Aside from our builder doing the brick work, we hired an electrician as the house had to be fully rewired, and our friend did all our plastering for us as the walls weren’t in the best shape! We’ve tried to do as much as we can ourselves, learning as we go! Luckily Rick is really handy and seems to be able to turn his hand to anything, I’m more of a calamity Jane type haha but I give it my best shot! 

Is there a particular order you're renovating your house in, or doing it all in one go?

Whilst we weren’t living here we tried to get as much done as we could all at once. We were previously renting a house off my parents so it gave us a flexible timeline, although we tried to get it done as quickly as possible so we weren’t paying two lots of bills for too long! We did the rooms that were most important first like the bedroom and living room, whilst the extension was being built. 

You're instagram-famous for your love of colour! Did you know since day 1 you wanted a vibrant home?

This is an easy one, YES! I’m the biggest colour enthusiast, I literally live and breathe it and it’s where I feel comfortable, so I knew I wanted to fill the house with colour. Thankfully Rick trusts my design ideas and doesn’t say ‘no you’re bloody not painting our living room pink’ haha. It just makes us so happy coming home to such a colourful place. 

How are you in making design decisions as a couple, do you ever bicker? Any tips for other couples who are renovating?

I’m definitely in charge of interior decisions; Rick admits that he would probably just paint the house white if it was left to him as he can’t think of schemes. Luckily we don’t argue about it as he is really trusting, I can’t imagine how hard it must be if you both have opposed ideas - I’d have to split the house in half! I would say if you’re trying to convince your other half of something, make a mood board as it’s so much easier to visualise!

Do you have a favourite room or area of the house yet?

I’d say the last room we work on is always our favourite, there’s so much joy in getting a room looking it’s best that when it’s done we just want to sit in there and enjoy it! I’d definitely say the Skylights in the extension is one of our favourite new features as they let in so much light and you can see the trees through them. 

What's the most satisfying DIY jobs for you? (i.e wallpaper steaming or working together on your panel wall)

For me I would say painting as it’s instant results right before your eyes! Although we’ve just recently fitted our own fence from scratch and even though we’ve never done one before it went so well and we now want to start a fencing company haha. 

...and the jobs you've hated?

WALLPAPER STEAMING. Oh my lord that was the devils work! And hours spent stripping paint off all the woodwork in the house; one of the most monotonous jobs in the world - but when you’re sat there and it’s all done it’s so so worth it. 

What's the one thing you can't live without, when renovating a house? (For us it was Naked Noodles! The easiest meal in the world when the builders took over the kitchen)

Many many packets of biscuits and a kettle! I dread to think how many Rocky’s and mint Clubs we’ve eaten over the past 16 months. Also Ricks pocket knife, from scraping paint off windows to cutting carpet, that knife has saved us countless times! A tool that has been used in every room. And our little plug in portable heater - I basically dragged that round the house with me when we didn’t have any heating for months. 

Do you have any favourite suppliers? I know a lot of people will be very interested in hearing who your favourite paint brands are!

I do tend to buy a lot of stuff second hand from charity shops, antique mills and eBay! I literally buy SO much off eBay it’s untrue - pretty sure we keep them in business. Paint wise, we’ve used Valspar, Farrow and Ball, Mylands and Little Greene; I’d say Mylands stands out quality wise as there paint is amazing! 

Finally, what one piece of advice would you give to our community of first-time renovators?

Don’t be hard on yourself. Don’t expect everything to get done quickly or go perfect the first time. Don’t beat yourself up when things don’t go to plan; renovating is a hard graft and you’re tackling a mountain, but just know that when it’s done it is SO worth it - and all those people who said it’ll be worth it in the end weren’t full of crap haha.

A huge thank you to Jess, Rick and Merla (woof!) for sharing their colourful home. You can follow their instagram over at @thehousethatcolourbuilt for colour inspiration!

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