Ruth and David van den Broek were faced with an unexpected situation in 2015 when their landlords announced they were selling the flat they were renting. The couple started looking for a new home after being assured that the landlords would try to find a buyer who would let them continue living in the flat, but there were no guarantees.
They began searching for a house in Didcot, where properties were affordable and the architecture, shopping, art, and culture of picturesque Oxford were easily accessible. However, their house hunt was far from straightforward, and finding a property that met all of their needs proved to be a big challenge.
The couple decided to opt for a project property they could make their own, one that ticked boxes in terms of Ruth’s health requirements, had lots of potential, and was comfortably within budget. Ruth has Cystic Fibrosis, so they needed a house with a loo both upstairs and downstairs, which they couldn’t compromise on.
After their offer was accepted, they had two months until moving day, which wasn’t long given the amount of work needed to make the property liveable. The house had bubbling lino, peeling wallpaper, smelly, worn carpets, and smoke-stained ceilings, and it all had to go.
Ruth gutted her kitchen and redecorated with a pared-back modern scheme. The couple also added a skylight to the dining room, which has made the room much brighter.
In order to meet their looming deadline, the couple hired a contractor to install the bathroom while David turned his attention to gutting rooms and stripping walls and floors back to a blank canvas. Many family members pitched in to help turn the house around in time for the fast-approaching move.
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Despite their joint efforts, there was still a last‑minute rush to get the flooring laid the night before the big move. The couple lived without a kitchen for a couple of weeks, washing their pots and pans in the bath.
The finishing touches took a little while to come together, as Ruth meticulously decided on colour palettes and furnishings. She opted for a sophisticated palette of fresh and soothing tones – white, light grey, and touches of navy and pastel pink – to be woven through the entire house.
Some spaces, such as the kitchen and main bedroom, have light walls, while others, such as the office and guest bedroom, boast bold, dark walls. Still, every room flows seamlessly thanks to the continued colour scheme. Ruth believes that a cohesive colour palette is one of the best things you can do for your home, and your sanity.
Ruth and David are proud of the task they have both achieved despite her being unwell. Ruth is happy with how their house turned out.
She’s always thinking of ways she would’ve done things differently. The great thing is, décor can always be changed.
She loves this home because it feels like them – they designed it, they renovated it, it’s theirs.
