Clara Smalley spent a year stripping wallpaper, painting and directing different trades at her Victorian house to ensure her renovation was a success
Feature Stephanie Smith Photos David Giles
SERIOUSLY STYLISH TERRACE
My story
This is my first-ever house and before this I was living nearby with my parents. It’s all down to your circumstances, and I was lucky to be able to live there while saving, but I knew I wanted to buy rather than rent. I wanted to find somewhere I could totally renovate, rather than somewhere already done up, as I was keen to add my own stamp.
In the spring of 2019, I started looking and had actually put in an offer on a bigger house in a different area of town when I saw this, and knew it was the one. It’s in a nicer area, with lots of shops, cafés and restaurants nearby and an easy walk into the centre. It needed a lot doing to it, but I was ready for the challenge.
Having had my offer accepted, I’d already put a lot of plans in place when Covid struck. Luckily, because the house was empty and I was staying with my parents, all the work was able to go ahead during the lockdowns, and I had a new kitchen, bathroom and cloakroom installed, as well as renovating every room. I did lots of stripping walls, painting and putting in skirtings myself, and my parents and sister all mucked in to help. My mum’s a dab hand at wallpapering. I moved back in a year later, and since then it’s all been about the finishing touches.
It's been a huge project to take on, but I've learnt so much and I'm really proud of what I’ve achieved.
Welcome to my home
A BIT ABOUT ME
I’m Clara Smalley, 29, a senior quality manager in the defence industry. You can see more of my home on Instagram @projectvictorian118.
WHERE I LIVE
My home is a three-bedroom Victorian terrace in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. I moved here in December 2020.
WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE
There wasn’t much colour in the house when I arrived, so I wanted to change that. I love adding metallic hints everywhere, particularly gold, and lighting is important to me. The kitchen and bathroom also needed replacing.
HOW I MADE IT MY OWN
I’ve restored the original features, like the tiles and fireplaces, and added in new period details such as ceiling roses, cornicing and dado rails, while bringing in plenty of colour and personality.
MY FAVOURITE PART
I love the whole of the downstairs, but my favourite room has got to be the living room. It’s dark and dramatic and
