readers’ homes

After stretching their budget on a new home, Ed and Nicola Dolman had to bide their time before transforming the property into the house of their dreams

WORDS JENNIFER GRIMBLE

PHOTOS SIMON MAXWELL

The rear of the property is unrecognisable. Defined by the cedar extension and an abundance of glass, the house also features a discreet exterior balcony, which provides Ed with cover when he has to go to his office in the rain

Ed and Nicola Dolman lived in a Victorian mid-terrace in Winchester for many years, but as their children grew older, they desperately needed more space. “Suddenly the house felt very claustrophobic,” Nicola explains. “We’d just renovated the kitchen, but I told Ed we had to move. He gave me the green light to start the search.”

Understanding that Winchester has a particularly busy property market, Nicola knew that finding somewhere wasn’t going to be easy. “The city is sought-after, so homes sell quickly. Usually for more than they ’re worth,” says Nicola. “The best way to move is to sell your house and rent somewhere, otherwise some estate agents will rule you out.” The couple sold their house in three months and moved into a holiday lodge. “We were flexible but struggled to find anything,” says Nicola. “The day before our house exchanged, I called my estate agent in a panic. We’d just lost out on a property on a nice street and I was worried we’d be stuck in our rental forever.” However, Nicola’s estate agent informed her that another house on the same road was coming up for sale, but wasn’t yet on the market.

The front of the house has been completed transformed. But despite its new and improved look, there are still nods to the home’s origins, including the yellow brickwork and the beautifully preserved stained-glass windows

‘‘ I It’s not just how it looks; it’s how it works. That’s an important part of our house. It’s practical and it gets messy. It’s a proper family home ’’

Before

Nicola arranged a viewing and as soon as she saw its stained-glass windows she fell in love. “I just knew it was the right house. It felt so big. That feeling of space was incredible,” she says. Built in 1975, the property was extremely dated, with avocado bathroom suites and original wallpapers. “Honestly, it could have been used as a film set,” Nicola says. The family visited together a few days later, before putting in an offer at the asking price, which was quickly accepted.