Stacey helped the struggling pair save up to £7,000 by offering tips as well as her own stylish input
Stacey helped the couple save £7,000 on their renovation with her useful tips in her new TV show(Image credit: Channel 4)
In the second episode of her new show Renovation Rescue Stacey helps a couple who had started renovating their house but only had £30,000 left to finish it.
Darryl and Jo in Devon were left with a leaky roof and building inspectors told them the work they paid £127,000 for did not meet building regulations.
Lots of work was still left to do with the couple's plans including a grand staircase, an open plan kitchen-diner and connecting living room.
Getting in professionals would cost £40,000 so Stacey was there to offer tips on how to reduce costs by renovating the house themselves.
'The most beautiful stairs I've ever seen'
The glass outer string mean natural light flows into the entrance hall(Image credit: Channel 4)
The couple were forced to climb a ladder to access the upstairs of their seafront home but finally installed an oak staircase with open slats in between to give the feel of a floating staircase.
As they waited for the stairs to be installed they nervously anticipated whether the oak stairs would fit as Daryll stated: "A very anxious moment but very, very exciting."
Upon installation and seeing the stairs fit perfectly, Daryll stated: "Oh, that is absolutely amazing. Its insane, its just insane. I think its brilliant."
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Stacey said: "They are the most beautiful stairs I've ever seen."
Couple installed kitchen units on uneven floor surface
Stacey said the kitchen units reminded her of the sea that the pair installed instead(Image credit: Channel 4)
The previous builders left an uneven floor, which presented major challenges to the couple's plans for an upstairs open plan kitchen-dining room.
When Stacey first ascended the temporary step ladder to take in the stunning seaside views from the upstairs, she expressed: "It's breathtaking up here. You can't truly appreciate it from downstairs. It's a shame you haven't had the chance to enjoy this."
However, Jo and Daryll took on the task of assembling their sea green kitchen units, complete with natural wood handles, and installed white quartz countertops that beautifully reflected the natural light streaming in through the large windows.
Beginning with the placement of the first unit in the corner, they meticulously worked their way out, adjusting the legs of the units to ensure a level surface, despite the slightly uneven floors.
Once installed Stacey remarked: "The colour is so lovely, isn't it? It reminds me of the sea."
Cane roll doors used for cupboards
Stacey helped the couple create cane roll doors to their upstairs cupboard area with another brilliant home renovation idea(Image credit: Channel 4)
Stacey showed off her DIY skills by helping the couple make cane roll cupboard doors for storage.
The process involved soaking cane rolls in water for 30 minutes then cutting the cane to size to leave a one inch overhang. They then used a staple gun to seal them in place and trimmed off the excess.
Once dried, the cane roll tightens to give a firm surface.
Feature wall with wave designs
Stacey praised the featured wall the couple created with their daughter, Ashley(Image credit: Channel 4)
Stacey added a mist coat onto the newly laid plaster and then laid wallpaper with wave designs that Jo and her daughter Ashley hung.
Stacey praised the work saying it seemed "liked one big sheet" and there was no overlap.
There was also a large mirror installed on the wall, which Stacey said: "Means you can see the view twice."
Stacey estimated the couple saved on their house renovation costs by £6,000-£7,000 by doing a lot of the work themselves. She concluded by saying: "I want to live in Devon by the sea."
She added the work goes to show there are plenty of ways to renovate on a budget and that "you don't need to spend hundreds of thousands to get something incredible".
Jo summarised the experience as she tearfully said: "It has been so horrible and you kind of lose yourself a little bit as well, but to be able to now share it with the kids and just enjoy it."
Darryl added: "What we've got here is something special and something that is us and its been a journey, but this is the start of us being able to look at it in a different way."
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.
