Sometimes a property dream does come true, but sometimes you need to go through a lot of pain to realise that dream, and not just financially.
First-time buyer, 27-year-old Ellie Murphy was searching for a home near Neath, a renovation project where she could slowly and carefully revive the property and make it her own, bringing it back to life with her own personal style.
Then one day, maybe her ideal home popped up online and she was tempted, despite the worrying amount of work that needed doing for this novice renovator.
Ellie says: "I first saw the property online on Peter Alan's website and when I realised it was just behind my mum's house we went to sit outside it, thinking it was a bit far fetched that I would actually own it one day.
"I had mixed emotions when I first saw inside the house, I really wanted the house and I was excited at the idea, but you could walk from one end to the other and almost get propelled forward by the slanting floors along the way!
"The house had settled over the years and the floors were quite uneven and spongy. The carpets were old, some corners of the rooms had damp, and it had that old musty house smell. But it had a cute homely feel to it too, even when it looked a little unloved."
This was the work that Ellie could see easily see, the dated decor with the need for a new kitchen and bathroom, the electrics and plumbing and those slopping floors.
But as she and her family, friends and tradespeople working on the project began to peel back the layers the 'to do' list increased dramatically.
Ellie says: "I was quite overwhelmed after everything had been ripped out!
"I remember standing in the living room looking up at the pitched roof with no ceilings, floors or joists and bare stone walls, and thinking that this little house had been ripped apart so quickly but it was going to take a lot more work to put it back!"
But it was the love of the house that rallied Ellie every time something went wrong, and there were times that truly tested her, from injury to hidden horrors to Covid-19 lockdowns.
She says: "You can look out of any window in the house and see green; green mountains and trees and it almost feels like you are in the middle of nowhere."
One bizarre and worrying aspect of the stone terrace revealed itself during the project.
Ellie says: "There were branches holding up the internal walls upstairs! They are still in the garden, I haven't figured out what to do with them yet but I think they should stay as a feature and serve as a reminder that they were once in the walls!"
There were so many challenges, including having to complete the renovation in stages due to money, but Ellie wanted to ensure she saved for the work and became rather good at bargain hunting too.
She was adamant to do the renovation slowly and steadily and to get things right, but one element of the project that Ellie found a surprise challenge was finding and securing reliable tradespeople to work on the house, which became even harder when the coronavirus pandemic struck.
Ellie says: "Getting people to turn up and finish the project was not an easy task. That being said, there were a couple of tradesmen that were amazing and so incredibly helpful, but they were literally two out of about ten."
Surely the most painful aspect of the renovation of the terrace though was the curse of the evil garden paving slab, which struck for the second time, having been responsible for the previous owner breaking their hip.
As Ellie came to the final chapter of the renovation - the finishing touches - the paving slab struck again, breaking Ellie's ankle.
She says: "The cursed garden slabs! They've claimed a hip and an ankle now and the house has claimed my sanity more than once, haha!"
But it has almost always been worth it, as now Ellie has transformed the house near Neath from a dated abode to a stylish home with decor that is bright and modern but with its heart in the natural world that surrounds the property mixed with a cottage flavour.
The pretty cottage inspired interior design starts with the facade of the house - the render is gone and the stunning stonework has been revealed to give a visually stunning start to a visit.
Wood is a constant and happily welcomed material in every room, as is the use of stone in the bathroom and soft shades and delicate patterns as accent details throughout.
Aspects of the design inside the house that Ellie has thoughtfully added include a sliding inner door from the entrance vestibule that not only saves space but adds abundant character.
There's a wonderful built-in window seat at the front window, a perfect additional place to park yourself and admire the views.
Ellie has been patient and researched exactly what she wanted in order to create the look of the cottage, and waited until she found what she was looking for.
Ellie says: "The internal doors are a great example of taking it slow.
"All of the shop-bought doors just didn't have the same character so getting them handmade seemed like a good idea.
"There was obviously a wait to get them made and we had agreed that we would paint them ourselves to save money, so it was a painstaking process with each door taking about eight coats each side to cover before they were fitted.
"There was a similar process with the handles and ironmongery, there were lots of shiny handles ready to buy in the shop but none that would really suit the property and style that I was trying to achieve - I waited and now I've got the old fashioned thumb latches that I wanted."
The decor is white based but with natural tones and textures that bring so much warmth to each space, which Ellie has zoned well to ensure the scheme feels coherent and flows seamlessly throughout, as well as being practical.
There's an obvious 'hall' area by the front sliding door, a designated eating zone by the window seat, and easily enough space left for a comfortable seating area.
The kitchen could have been crowded out with too many units flanking the walls, but by keeping them to one wall and adding a central breakfast bar island unit, the space all flows in the same direction - towards the rear garden.
Choosing white units against the white walls helps them blend into the space, and the Shaker-style is a classic design that will stand the test of time as well as fits neatly into Ellie's interiors scheme.
Ellie says: "The atmosphere is really different in every room. The front of the house seems cosy and warm in the winter and the back extension can feel light and airy, and almost like you are standing outside in the fresh air because there's so much scenery in front of you.
"I've attempted to go for a modern cottage look, with the doors and windows and window seat, the inside is mostly white because I like the look of clean, bright walls and there's a slight industrial mix in there too.
"There's a reclaimed wooden sleeper below the TV with industrial legs and rolling barn doors on the porch and bathroom.
"The bedroom styles are still a work in progress, most of the bedroom furniture has been upcycled and both rooms are still a little bare at the moment. Pinterest and Instagram are great for inspiration and, of course, my mum persuading me at every corner!"
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Ellies' favourite space in the newly revived house might be a bit of a surprise - it's the back bedroom.
She says: "I love it because the window is almost the length of the wall and it overlooks the mountains, which is amazing to wake up to.
"However, my favourite feature is the window seat and wooden shutters in the living room - that corner of the room really makes the house feel like a cottage."
It's a testament to Ellie's patience and determination that over the three years she has transformed the house to this stage of renovation and interior decor, but it has been a very steep learning curve.
Ellie says: "I think back and can't believe it's the same house. There are still finishing touches and little bits that need completing, although I'm not sure it'll ever be completed as things keep popping up, even almost four years later.
"I've learnt a massive amount in the process, I know the ins and outs of the house now, and I feel confident that if I ever had to do it again I could make better choices such, such as the importance of ensuring that your property is watertight before you start work.
"I've had various issues with damp along the way which can hinder all of the hard work that you have put in if it's not resolved properly.
"Also, I would recommend finding reliable trades people, even if you have to wait. Do your research, take your time, and be picky!
"But most of all don't bother getting light carpets! They look pretty for a day and then you spend the rest of your time trying to hoover and tip toeing around to avoid getting footprints on the carpet."
Plus, of course, definitely avoid any dodgy looking garden paving slabs.
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