Retired couple dubbed ‘the accidental upsizers’ after transforming bungalow into £750k luxury pad with extension
A RETIRED couple have been dubbed the “accidental upsizers” after transforming their bungalow into a luxury £7500k pad. Jean and Desmond Lawton bought a humble bungalow in Finchingfield, Essex, three years ago in a bid to downsize from a larger property. But the pair soon decided they didn’t like the dated decor in the £400k […]
A RETIRED couple have been dubbed the “accidental upsizers” after transforming their bungalow into a luxury £7500k pad.
Jean and Desmond Lawton bought a humble bungalow in Finchingfield, Essex, three years ago in a bid to downsize from a larger property.
But the pair soon decided they didn’t like the dated decor in the £400k home and started ripping it apart.
After years of work the property has been transformed and has now gone back on the market at almost double the original price.
Mrs Lawton, 70, said: “Our plan was to downsize but then we decided to go for something we’d always wanted so we maximised the glass at the back to overlook the garden.”
The couple knocked down every internal retaining wall in the bar one to create an open-plan living space.
They also built a single-storey extension at the rear of the bungalow.
To make it easier to clean the pair did away with door jambs and skirting boards and installed polished concrete flooring with underfloor heating throughout the ground floor.
Bespoke storage cupboards were created in the kitchen with large work surfaces, an induction hob and hidden double ovens.
In the bathroom the couple installed a walk-in shower and an easily accessible low bath whilst upstairs they overhauled all the bedrooms, even adding a child’s swing in one of kids rooms.
The pair have now been forced to sell their incredible creation to move closer to their family and have put it up for sale with Mullucks estate agents.
most read in news
Nick Bush, of Mullucks, said: “When you walk in it’s a huge surprise; the light and the space is just stunning and the quality of what they’ve done is incredible.
“I don’t think the owners fully appreciate how creative they’ve actually been.
“Being able to transform a building in this way when you’re not an architect by trade is amazing. It’s completely evolved as a property.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
