Even if she’s about to start out her eleventh renovation, Leigh Ellwood says she doesn’t have a grasp plan, or perhaps a enterprise mannequin behind her tasks. As a substitute, it’s extra about creating houses that really feel good to reside in — even when it’s not a perpetually residence.

‘I simply attempt to convey one thing of myself to every challenge,’ Leigh reveals within the newest episode of our podcast, TDF Talks.

Leigh has an intuitive and private strategy to renovating, that sees her usually work on a property for a couple of years, and reside there till a brand new problem comes alongside.

Her mild and eclectic residence within the Beverly Hills constructing manages to really feel brilliantly up to date, with out shedding the attraction of its historic Nineteen Thirties structure. In the meantime her plywood-clad seashore home is a lesson in restraint, the place wonderful water views are enhanced by a less-is-more design, and nostalgic particulars, like oyster shells painted instantly onto the partitions.

Every property appears completely at residence in its location, as if it had all the time been that manner — when in actuality, it’s a results of Leigh’s considerate imaginative and prescient, and the experience she’s gained over a few years.

Discover a few of Leigh’s renovating recommendation beneath, earlier than you take heed to the complete podcast!

What to search for in a fixer-upper

Like most individuals, Leigh’s earlier renovations have been merely about choosing a spot that she may afford, within the location she wished to reside in. However even now she says there’s not a number of ‘deal breakers’, so long as a property has the fundamentals like good pure mild, a pleasant floor-to-ceiling top and good structural ‘bones’. Most of her houses have additionally had some character or historical past, and she or he prefers locations which were ‘knocked about’ because it provides a house a bit extra of a soul! ‘I’ve purchased a number of ugly homes,’ Leigh says. ‘There’s simply received to be one thing that form of makes you’re feeling a bit joyful about it.’

When she walked into her Beverly Hills residence for the primary time, she fell in love with the the main bedroom’s bay home windows searching into the bushes, however it may be one thing so simple as a captivating entrance door, or any small particulars that provide you with one thing to be ok with, you can construct on!

Sort out the necessities first, design second

Leigh says fairly than making temper boards, she all the time begins off with the ‘actually boring issues’, asking questions in regards to the companies, like: ‘Does it have any heating? Does it have a superb roof? Does it have insulation, does it have cooling?’

‘I’ve a chat with myself about what you possibly can reside with and what you undoubtedly can not reside with, as a result of there’s going to be a stage if you’re going to want to maneuver in. I try to do the messy stuff first after which choose away on the different tasks whereas I’m residing there.’ Planning for the ‘boring’ sensible components first additionally provides you an thought of what you must play with within the price range with regards to the extra beauty updates in a while.

Construct a private relationship with trades you possibly can belief

One of the vital spectacular issues about Leigh is her capacity to show her imaginative and prescient right into a actuality with the assistance of some impeccable craftsmanship, and she or he places that right down to constructing a powerful private relationship with all her builders and tradespeople.

She says this comes from searching for out ‘can-do folks’ who appear simply as invested within the renovation as she is. A crimson flag is anybody who involves the primary assembly with a detrimental perspective, mentioning nothing however obstacles. ‘Once they begin speaking it down earlier than we even start, I’ve already sacked them and I’m onto the subsequent!’ Leigh says.

Ask everybody for suggestions

Virtually all of Leigh’s tradespeople have come from asking round, or trying into the groups behind challenge you like. She begged an architect buddy for her present builder’s quantity, they usually’ve been working intently collectively ever since. ‘Whenever you’ve received a superb commerce, typically they know one other good commerce,’ Leigh says. ‘If in case you have any individual good, ask them in the event that they know a superb cupboard maker, and also you simply preserve asking the questions.’

Don’t put strain on your self to make it a ‘perpetually residence’

Whereas Leigh creates actually stunning, private houses that most individuals dream of residing in, she’s additionally cautious to not pin her id to a property, to keep away from feeling prefer it needs to be excellent — or you can’t go away. ‘As issues change, your wants change as nicely,’ she says, and that doesn’t need to be a nasty factor.

‘I all the time try to do my greatest with that home that I’m in, as a result of I need it to be good. And I prefer to assume that the home I’m passing on to the subsequent individual that can give them some enjoyment from the modifications I’ve made’.

Hearken to full podcast with Leigh beneath, or discover TDF Talks on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!