Woman renovating home for 10 years shares 6 lessons she’s learned

As we usher in a new year, many individuals are looking to renovate or redecorate their homes for a fresh start.

If you’re among them, you might want to heed the advice of one interior design and DIY expert who has been refurbishing her home for a decade.

Katherine, known on Instagram as @edwardian_vignette, regularly imparts her interior design and DIY wisdom to her 114,000 followers. She specialises in statement period decor and Edwardian DIY renovation and provides e-design services.

In one of her recent posts, Chester-based Katherine shared the lessons she’s learned throughout her career. Her first piece of renovation advice was patience, stating: “It takes time! Especially if you also have kids and day jobs. Get used to friends and family saying, ‘Is your house done yet?'”

She also warned followers that initially, they will spend a significant amount on “unexciting” things like electrics, plumbing and plastering, but stressed these elements are “very necessary”.

It’s later that the “pretty, more exciting things” will come along, she said, revealing it took her six years to get her ideal front door. She also urged people to “have a go at things”, adding: “You might not feel confident at first, but there are loads of online resources that can help”.

Katherine also suggested that you’ll discover you had a “DIY outfit” when you start renovating where “every paint splodge tells a story”.

Her top tips for renovating include the reminder that it’s a “long game filled with ups and downs”. She elaborated: “You’ll have some years where you do loads, and others where reno takes a back seat. You’re doing great.”

In an extended commentary in her post caption, the DIY expert shared: “After 10 years, it might look like we’re old hands at this renovating lark. To be honest, we’re always learning and there’s still loads we want to do to this house.”

She went on to mention: “I’ve said it a few times, but renovating takes time. Seeing ‘quick’ transformations on here can make you feel like you’re failing, but everyone’s journey is different.”

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with one fan commenting: “Nice to hear it took a while. We’re almost a year in so on the boring bit stage but soon the walls are coming down…” Another chimed in with supportive words: “This is so good to know.”