In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, many found solace in home renovation projects that transformed their living spaces into personal sanctuaries.
One such inspiring story comes from Melanie Farr, who, along with her husband, purchased a 1960s bungalow just outside of Bath in 2020.
Initially unsure of their plans for the property, they embarked on a journey to create their dream retirement home, blending traditional charm with modern conveniences.
Melanie shares their renovation journey on her Instagram account, @oakforeverhome. Here’s their story.
The Bungalow Transformation
In 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 lockdowns, Melanie and her husband purchased a bungalow in a village near Bath.
The close proximity to their home allowed them to walk to the property, providing a much-needed project during the challenging times. Initially, they were undecided about whether to flip the property or turn it into an Airbnb.
However, as they cleared the garden, they realized the plot was large enough for an extension.
With the future in mind and considering Melanie’s knee issues, they decided to transform the bungalow into their ideal retirement home.
“We purchased the Bungalow just outside of Bath during 2020, the year of Covid and lockdowns, so it was a godsend as it was in the same village as our home so it was easily walked to. Kept us busy clearing the garden and clearing everything out inside. We purchased it not really knowing what we wanted to do with it. Maybe flip it or air b & b. But after clearing the garden we found it had a big enough plot we could extend. At the time my knees were hurting so the thought of no stairs was appealing, we decided to do it exactly how we would love it to be in the future to retire in,” Melanie explains.
The bungalow, originally a modest two-bedroom, 1960s pebble-dashed structure, was far from their dream home. They envisioned an oak-framed house with large gable-end windows, red brick, and natural beams—light, airy, yet cozy and relaxing.
They began drawing up plans to transform the property, incorporating features they had always dreamed of, such as ample entertaining space for family gatherings and a spacious lounge.
Designing for the Future
The couple also planned for future accessibility needs, installing high toilet seats, wide doorways, and a shower seat with reachable controls.
They aimed to make the home easy to maintain, opting for a printed concrete driveway and patio that mimicked cobblestones but required no weeding.
To reduce running costs, they installed solar panels flush with the roof tiles, powering an air source heat pump for water and underfloor heating.
Solar glass in the gable ends prevented furniture bleaching and helped maintain a stable room temperature. A log burner provided a backup heating source for power outages.
Blending Tradition with Modernity
Their style combined traditional elements with rustic charm, featuring an oak frame and beams.
The exterior was designed to look timeless, with cast iron-look guttering and black aluminum windows with cast iron monkey tail handles.
Inside, they aimed for a calm, relaxing space with neutral colors and easily changeable soft furnishings.
The couple’s shared taste in design made the renovation process smooth and harmonious.
Personal Touches and Future Plans
“Our style I’d say is very traditional in many ways with a twist of rustic charm with the Oak frame and beams. The outside of our bungalow we wanted it to look like it had been here for years so we had guttering that looks like cast iron and our windows we had powder coated black Aluminium so again they look traditional. We added cast iron monkey tail handles to the front door and windows to finish the look,” Melanie shares.
The couple’s advice to first-time homebuyers is to purchase a home as early as possible, avoid heavy debt, and be savvy with money.
They recommend looking for bargains, doing up furniture, and learning DIY skills to save thousands.
Their renovation journey culminated in winning the National LABC Building Award for Best Extension Build in 2024, a testament to their dedication and vision.
As they continue to work on their home, their focus for the coming year is the garden, which they plan to landscape and plant after quickly establishing a lawn to transform the property from a building site to a garden.
Their story is a reminder that with careful planning and a clear vision, it’s possible to create a dream home that meets both current and future needs.
Check out the full transformation on @oakforeverhome.
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