Festivities At My Sisters 80’s Reno {With Joules}

We don’t often feature 1980’s house renovations, from the comments we receive on Rock My Style, everyone seems to live in a period/character home or a new NEW build. My sister and her partner Will have done a stellar job of converting their tiny boxy kitchen and a car port (!) into a bright airy family kitchen/living/dining space. Their home was built in 1984 and not what you would call “pretty” from a curb appeal perspective.

But it feels lovely inside, so much light and mis-matched personal details and accessories. Melissa hasn’t ever been interested in joining instagram or subscribing to Pinterest which I find refreshing, her taste has never been influenced by a colour coordinated range cooker or the use of millennial pink/downpipe/hanging plants/macrame/anything by Aesop (delete as appropriate – my home has the first two). What she has fallen in love with is a set of Joules Christmas crackers which is where this whole mini project started. Last year we worked with Joules on a DIY garland. For 2018 due to Melissa’s kitchen renovation being finished, and our family having a party early December due to us all being in different places on the 25th, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine some of our favourite Joules new season pieces with a nosey at a home makeover project. It’s been a labour of ahem… love (not to mention the blood, sweat and tears).

Also – we gift the girls Joules Tutus every year because they are the cutest. Oh and wellies because SAME.

A 1980’s House Kitchen Extension And Renovation

My sister wasn’t enamoured with the house from the outset, in needed a lot of work, new bathrooms, the kitchen extension, re-carpeting, re-plumbing, the stairs re-configuring…I don’t think I would have been quite as brave if I’m honest. She was pregnant with her first daughter when they took the project on (you can see Eira now 18 months, looking ridiculously butter-wouldn’t-melt in the Harbour top, the Mabel jacket and Anikins tights) so she probably deserves a medal. Or at least a beautiful wreath for her front door – the oversized beauty arrived courtesy of Daisy Ellen, one of the Rock My Wedding supplier directory members.

The house already came with a garage which joined the main house via a car port, making the car port (as well as an eyesore) a waste of potentially useable square footage. The small kitchen and separate dining room were knocked through to each other and the back wall knocked into the car port space – the roof was taken off the car port and extended into a double height ceiling complete with velux windows. The back wall of the kitchen where you see the photo gallery, is the already existing wall to the garage. Melissa and Will have a small utility in there which houses the washing machine, dryer and various cleaning bits and bobs. This meant they could have more cupboard space in the kitchen and the double pantry unit my sister has always dreamed of.

Her favourite finds were the large 8 seat table from John Lewis, her mint and blue chairs from Cult furniture and a bespoke light fitting from Candid owl.

The brown leather sofa was a second hand ebay bargain and the kitchen was by Optiplan, Will is a keen cook hence the double oven and the large hob that is the focus of the island unit. I think it’s so important if you are going to spend your hard earned savings on a forever home renovation project, to design it for the way you live – not the way you “think” it should look/because social media dictates it will get ALL the likes.

Instagram isn’t going to bake your currant buns or put the stir in your fry.

Staying Stylish This Season With Joules

I should probably tell you about the warmest most comfortable jumper in the world. I am always absolutely bloody freezing and it drives my husband bonkers. Yet in the Joules Seabridge Chenille I was uber toasty. I don’t normally do mustard but I loved the combination with the blue and navy stripes. The Beth dress which I changed into later on for lunch is more my usual style – it even has pockets! And the Cheltenham tweed coat is AMAZING. Seriously – so chic, I’ve received so many many compliments on it.

My sister can be seen sporting the Cordelia needlecord dress with the most beautiful pair of navy leather and suede chelsea boots – I have never owned navy footwear, yet these could change all that. Melissa is wearing the Sefton padded jacket, which she said was much like wearing a duvet, she plans to only take it off this winter when absolutely necessary.

Iris spent the day (admittedly with various changes of dribble bibs – my girl is getting so many teeth!) in the Eliza jersey dungaree set, it’s unbelievably pretty, and would make such a gorgeous gift for a little in your life this Christmas.

Before I finish I must go back to the beginning – the crackers, so gorgeous, and only a tenner for 4 with lovely soaps, lip balms and hand creams inside.

We’re super delighted to offer the lovely RMS readers £10 off when spending £50 on www.joules.com . Please use STYLE10 at the checkout* Now you can buy ALL the crackers, too.

Please do also send in your extension/renovation projects for consideration to be featured on Rock My Style – we would love to see and share your ideas and experiences.

This post was sponsored by Joules, but you know us, we would only feature brands and products we genuinely love and would want to recommend to our readers.
*Terms and conditions apply. Spend £50 or more in one single purchase transaction and receive £10 off your purchase price, discount will automatically be applied at checkout at joules.com, all orders are subject to availability. This offer ends at 23:59pm on the 17th December 2018. Full terms and conditions at www.joules.com/promo.

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