Couple’s ‘back to front’ three-bed property is transformed with a grand entrance, an adult snug area and a balcony on George Clarke’s Old House New Home
- Lauren and Chev bought three-bed period mashup six months ago for £225, 000
- George Clarke says it’s ‘back to front’ and brands it ‘terrible on every level’
- They go £35, 000 over budget but are delighted with the impressive finish
A couple are left ‘speechless’ when their ‘back to front house’ undergoes an impressive transformation in George Clarke’s Old House, New Home.
In tonight’s episode of the Channel 4 show, George Clarke visits a property that is part Victorian stone farmhouse and part red brick seventies extension, which is set in the rural outskirts of Mirfield in West Yorkshire.
Lauren, an events manager and Chev, a rugby league coach tell how they bought the three-bed period mashup six months ago for £225, 000 – and moved in with their two young sons and Buster the dog.
‘It looks like a factory from the front,’ says Lauren, while Chev adds: ‘It’s just one big mess.’
But after undergoing a £105, 000 transformation, the couple are delighted with the results – which include a fresh balcony, bespoke concrete and metallic walls and an adult snug area.
‘I’m actually speechless,’ beams Lauren. ‘It’s just amazing. I can’t believe it’s our house. I feel like I’ve walked into some beautiful show home.’
Lauren, an events manager and Chev, a rugby league coach, are keen to transform their back-to-front hybrid in tonight’s episode of George Clarke’s Old House, New Home. Pictured, presenter George Clarke with the exterior before
Lauren, who compares the outside to looking like a ‘factory’ before the renovation, is delighted with the results. Pictured, the exterior after
The couple reveal they bought the three-bed period mashup six months ago for £225, 000. Pictured, the modern kitchen now
Chev explains how the property ‘is just one big mess’ before George Clarke sets to work with his magic touch. Pictured, the living room after
The couple reveal they are ‘speechless’ following the big reveal. Pictured, the bedroom after the transformation
Having moved four times in the last six years, the couple are desperate to put down roots and create a modern family home.
‘I don’t think it’s been properly decorated since the seventies,’ explains Lauren. ‘The carpet is green and swirly, and the kitchen has this dark wood effect, plus the swirly ceilings,’ while Chev adds: ‘It’s stuck in a time warp.’
While the interior decoration leaves a lot to be desired, the stunning views are truly enviable – but George’s first issue starts with the front door.
‘Where’s your front door?’ he asks. ‘You’ve got a side door on what looks like a relatively grand Victorian house.’
‘You can’t see your front door but the garage door sticks out like a sore thumb.’
Soon, he realises the reason for the unappealing entrance is because the property is all back to front – and at the rear is an impressive stone façade with symmetrical windows.
Lauren and Chev have a reasonable £70, 000 to help with their ambitious project. Pictured, with George Clarke
While George says he’s ‘scared’ to see the inside before the transformation, he’s impressed with the final results. Pictured, the modern living room
‘Well look at that for a period house – well about two thirds of it is a lovely period house. The other third of it is a dog’s dinner,’ jokes George.
After admitting he’s ‘scared’ to see inside, the presenter’s worst fears soon come true.
‘Crikey!’ he gasps. ‘I’m slightly lost for words. One of the trickiest bits is the level change inside. It’s not ideal. I don’t need to say anything else do I?’
The original layout sees the living room at the back of the Victorian farmhouse, while some awkward steps lead into the seventies extension and dining room.
From there is a side entrance which leads back into the original part of the house via a pokey corridor, while others steps take you back into the kitchen at the front of the house.
Lauren and Chev have a healthy £70, 000 budget to help improve the layout of the house – and to give them additional living space downstairs and up, they reveal they already have planning permission for a two-storey extension at the back of the house.
The couple add render to the property to unite the old and new. Pictured, Lauren and Chev standing with George Clarke in front of the old property
George loses the wall between the hallway and dining room. Pictured, with a new contemporary feel
As George sets to work, he explains the seventies extension will stay as it is but the house will be rendered to unite both old and new.
He plans to lose the wall between the hallway and dining room to give a line of sight from front to back as soon as they walk in.
While the dining room will stay put, the kitchen will move from the front of the property to the middle.
Meanwhile, he says a family room just a few steps down into the new extension will give the family a totally connected living, cooking and dining space fit for modern family life – while a grown-up snug will replace what was the kitchen at the front.
Following the impressive renovation, the couple reveal they went £35, 000 over budget – but insist it’s been worth every penny.
‘I’m really, really proud,’ says Lauren. ‘Everything has come together thanks to you. We’ve had years of upheaval and moving and we can’t way just to enjoy it now. The kids are going to have such a happy childhood here and for us, that’s the main thing.’
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