A House on Stilts - Part 2
An inconvenient lockdown, back to the bare bones and a happy addition.
I had a breakdown on Lockdown Eve. A car breakdown that is, not a nervous one. Although at one point I thought I could possibly be heading for both. We had just exchanged contracts on the purchase of our deckhouse, but it was also our meetaversary, 22 years together. I was supposed to be at home in our tiny ugly rental prepping a delicious romantic meal to celebrate. But, instead I was stuck in my car with smoke billowing from my front wheels. I was in my old stomping ground of the Surrey Hills after doing some last minute work before the government locked us all down for the second time. There was absolutely no chance of the RAC coming to my rescue some eight hours before the UK shut up shop, so Mr C had to drive up to save me.
It was the 4th November 2020 and it seems like a million years ago now. Buying a holiday home was not supposed to be the plan. We had sold up our beautiful weatherboard home in Surrey in order to relocate to the coast and downsize, creating a simpler life and some hard-earned cash in the bank. What we did in reality though was make things ten times more complicated. We bought two houses - good plan! Who needs one exhausting and complicated renovation when you can do two? It is in no way a regret though. I think we both thrive on a challenge and being incredibly busy. So, here’s the renovation story.
The first was the deckhouse, which would become a business and weekend bolt-hole for us. The other we would buy the following June, an enormous Victorian townhouse, which would be our main home, but only for a couple of years until we found the dream. If you’re new around these parts, hello and welcome, but you’ll also be happy to know we did eventually find the dream some three months ago now. It’s a very old barn and walled garden, which needs lots of work and you can read more about that here.
This series is for paid members only. To read the rest and watch as this ‘60s house on stilts is ripped apart and then lovingly put back together for the 21st century, consider upgrading to a paid membership. Part three next week is all about the interior design with a full list of suppliers and sources.