Our Patch AUGUST 2014
Our Patch AUGUST 2014
making
good
Before
& After
Bigger and brighter was the brief from a
Hammersmith developer as he transformed his
sorry wreck of a home into a magical space
The vision was to create a space
that was forward-thinking in
comfort and functionality
S
It took about 11 months and there
were snags right across the board
– from ceiling cracks to a rotten
staircase, to concrete-filled chimneys
18 / 19
ome developers chose to
take the cheap and cheerful
approach when renovating
a property, opting to cut
costs by skimping on
materials and finish quality
in the hope of a higher margin when
the property comes to resale.
This, however, was not the case
for Nicholas Spencer, the developer
behind the renovation of a property in
Hammersmith’s Redmore Road which
Horton and Garton have been
marketing.
Not content with a slap-dash job,
Nicholas had a clear vision for the
house when he began the renovation:
“The goal was to create an open, bigger,
brighter, and welcoming space that was
forward-thinking in comfort and
functionality,” he says.
“We also wanted an immaculate
finish and style. And in the end, I think
we achieved it.”
However, it was not all plain sailing.
When he purchased the property
through Horton and Garton in 2012,
it took the dubious honour of being
one of the most dilapidated and
problem-ridden properties we had
ever had on the market.
This left Nicholas with plenty of
problems to overcome and meant it
definitely wasn’t going to be a quick
‘in-and-out’ job…
“It took about 11 months and there
were snags right across the board – from
floor to ceiling cracks, to insufficient
damp-proofing, to a rotten staircase, to
concrete-filled chimney breasts, to
mould-infested purlins, to crumbling
pointing – the list went on,” he recalls.
But his dedication and attention to
detail paid off in the end and the results
are now plain to see.
The house now enjoys many
reinstated period features and restored
salvage curios plus a stylish interior
decor which includes meticulously
sourced fixtures and ironmongery,
walnut-trimmed cabinetry, a new oak
staircase, matured French oak chevron
flooring with underfloor heating,
future-proof audio/visual connections,
speaker wiring and ample storage
throughout.
All in all, it’s been a spectacular
transformation, and one which is to be
applauded. So what did Nicholas enjoy
most about the project?
“I always have two parts that
are most enjoyable in all projects,”
he explains.
“Firstly, I enjoy the strip out or
demolition stage of a desperate and sad
home – then the styling and finishing
stages of the same project, as it
transforms into its new look of pride
and brilliance.”
Now that Nicholas has completed the
mammoth project, he definitely has a
lot to be proud about.
“Taking an uncared for, concrete
floored, dark and tight space and
transforming it into a very proud
home through hard work and
commitment definitely feels like a great
achievement,” he says with a smile.