'5 lessons we learned from renovating a dilapidated farmhouse'
In 2019, having outgrown their Maidenhead terrace, Richard and Sophie Vermont planned to relocate to a "sensible, suburban family home" in Yorkshire.
What they ended up with was a dilapidated farmhouse that had stood empty and neglected for 13 years.
"We saw the place and fell in love with it” says Richard. “We were bowled over by the location and sense of peace.”
What followed was the “mother of all renovations” that saw all of the windows and staircases ripped out, walls knocked through, rotten floorboards pulled up and layers of plasterboard removed to reveal York stone walls, pillars and fireplaces concealed beneath.
You can tour the fully renovated farmhouse here, and below, the couple share five major lessons they learned along the way.
1. You're only as good as your plan
“Make a detailed plan covering timelines, budget, and design. Deciding on materials and finishes early on will help streamline the process later. Pore over samples and options before you commit,” they say.
A schedule of works is your bible during a renovation project – there are plenty of free templates online if you don't know where to begin – and should include everything from your order of tasks and deadline for works to a budget tracker and contingency plans.
Remember that lead times can be extraordinarily long for materials as well as furniture, which can derail even the best laid plans.
2. Modernise without losing sight of the past
Designers and architects will usually advise against removing original features – provided they don’t impede upon the fundamental structure and functionality of a home.
Floorboards can be sanded and resealed and stone floors might need repointing with lime mortar. Tarnished brasswork can almost always regain its original shine and layers of paint can be stripped from moulding and ceiling roses.
“Honour the history of an old building, by preserving as many original features as possible. But reconfigure the layout or add some modern elements to make a house work for you,” says Sophie.
Flow and layout as Sophie mentions should be a moveable feast. Where kitchens were once hidden in basements or a light-starved back room, a more contemporary eye might knock through to create something open-plan. And the old-fashioned distinction between a formal sitting room and family living room can feel redundant now, in which case you might gain a utility or play room as a result.
3. Get clear on your needs and lifestyle
There is little sense in renovating before you know what your lifestyle will look like.
“Really think about how you want to use the space,” says Sophie. “We knew our priority was to spend time together as a family – and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area proved a great way to achieve this.”
A fourth or fifth bedroom might languish unused until guests arrive, but a study might be useful every day. And while acres of open shelving looks dreamy in a kitchen, you may need to factor in a pantry to hold all the essentials.
In the same vein, consider the true practicalities of anything on your wish list. Boot rooms stop dirt from entering the rest of the house, but they can be truly nightmarish to keep clean. While garden offices that seem endlessly appealing are considerably less so in the depths of winter.
4. Buy well, but once
Renovating is an expensive undertaking and some cost-saving compromises are inevitable, but choose your moments wisely.
“Opt for the highest quality you can afford for key materials and surfaces such as floorboards or worktops. Spending big once will mean these features stand the test of time,” says Sophie. As well as floors and countertops, it is generally advised to future-proof your home with good quality external doors and windows, robust finishes and hardware like taps in your kitchen and bathrooms, and any bespoke joinery.
Beyond materials, buying vintage and antique furniture is a sensible avenue for reducing costs. While you may not want your high wear pieces like sofas, bed frames or rugs to be second-hand, it’s certainly a viable route for sourcing coffee tables, storage, occasional chairs, mirrors and accessories.
5. Use local knowledge
“Local experts are likely to be more knowledgeable about the traditional architectural techniques unique to your area,” says Sophie.
A local team is likely have connections to nearby suppliers and reliable tradespeople, and if they've worked on neighbouring properties, they are best placed to understand the history and particularities of your home and foresee the unexpected.
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