Creating the ideal and perfect home for a deserving ex-soldier
From an average bungalow to a fully refurbished and adapted home, inside and out, in just six weeks.
This is the transformation we achieved for an ex-soldier compelled to retire from service through injury.
The project
Our brief was to accommodate the unique access, living and comfort requirements of an ex-soldier with a service injury that had resulted in the need for a prosthetic limb and occasional wheelchair-use. Works had to be completed in a 6-week timeframe, while he and his partner vacated their home.
The works
As quickly as possible, without compromising the fabric of the building in any way, the Inspired Interiors team stripped the bungalow back to basics – a task that took seven big-size skips! This basically created a bare-shell canvas to most areas that allowed us to build the ideal home from scratch – no half-measures, no making do, nothing but the best.
Out with the old, in with the new – here’s what it took to make the transformation:
General works – on the inside
- New front door: including an ultra-low threshold to make wheelchair access easy.
- 8 doorways widened and refitted: original doors, frames, architraves and linings removed and replaced with new, solid-oak doors and furniture.
- Walls and ceilings: all given the Inspired Interiors treatment – made good, re-plastered where necessary, prepared and painted – immaculately, naturally!
- Woodwork, skirting’s, doorframes and architraves: prepared and gloss-painted.
- Existing wooden floors: made good where the doors were widened.
- Electrics and lighting: mostly new throughout.
- Plumbing: mostly new throughout, including showers, taps, radiators and waste pumps.
Kitchen – gutting and re-creating a brand new hub of the home- Double sliding doors with ultra-low threshold: for easy wheelchair access.
- Kitchen units by Howdens: including new hob, double oven and extractor fan.
- Floor by Karndean: stylish, realistic, hardwearing, wood-effect vinyl flooring.
- New electrical sockets and TV point: for entertaining functionality.
- Lounge – removing, replacing and re-decorating for feel-good downtime
- Double sliding doors: Bricked up and replaced with a new window.
- Old gas fire: removed and the chimney breast made good.
- Glass entry door: removed and blocked up.
Ensuite – new, bigger and very convenient- Shower cubicle: widened, with drench shower, hand-held hose facility, folding seat and grab rails.
- Electric shower: with remote control.
- Drench shower: with hand-held hose facility.
- Fully fitted furniture: new washbasin and toilet
- New Porcelain Tiling: newly tiled walls and flooring.
- Electrics: mostly new, including down lights.
- Plumbing: mostly new, including towel rail.
- Bathroom – a major refit for relaxing ablutions
- New shower wet room: created by knocking down the adjacent wall into the garage – nearly doubling the size of the bathroom. Walk in shower fitted with seating bench and grab rails.
- Electric shower: with remote control.
- Drench shower: with hand-held hose facility
- Fully fitted furniture: new washbasin and toilet
- Natural Stone Tiling: newly tiled walls and flooring.
- Walk-in Cambridge bath: with electric lowering seat.
- Electrics: mostly new, including new down lights.
- Plumbing: mostly new, including towel rail.
General works on the outside - in the rear garden
- Ecodek decking area: with embedded anti-slip strips (40 m2) for safety, new steps, balustrading, and two ramps for easy wheelchair access.
- Pergola: over the decking – ideal for a shade-giving grapevine…
- Block paved path: 21m long, for full wheelchair access.
- Games Room: concrete foundation laid for the fun venue-to-come!
- Exterior lighting: to entire garden, for safe, ambient, al fresco entertaining and relaxation.
The result
A heartwarming transformation completed on time and on budget @ £83,400.00 – a life changing difference to a delighted ex-soldier and his partner. Happy times ahead for both!
Why Inspired Interiors?
We are an approved contractor for the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA), a government agency that, amongst its many first class support services, ensures that the homes of ex-servicemen are adapted to their individual requirements should they retire from the armed forces for medical reasons.
