Photographer Emilie Gray, 29, recently sold her beautifully renovated flat in Monifieth via TSPC after a successful home renovation. She spoke to reporter Poppy Watson at DC Thomson to share her journey of transformation and the experiences she had along the way.

The beginning of a dream

In December 2021, Emilie got the keys to her first home—a ground-floor flat in Monifieth, marking the start of her first renovation project. Located on Maule Street with stunning views of the beach, the flat immediately felt like the perfect place for her and her dog, Honey.

Planning and execution

Despite the flat being in good condition, it was dated and in need of modernisation. Emilie, living with her parents in Broughty Ferry during the renovations, was excited to make it her own. With significant help from her family, she embarked on a year-long journey to transform the flat.

Key renovations included

Upgrading systems

The first major project was upgrading the central heating system with a new gas boiler and radiators.

Bathroom transformation

The bathroom, initially a wet room with disabled access, was transformed with the help of Ryan Hillis, a tiler. They discovered remnants of a past kitchen, including cooker switches and a hidden window behind plasterboard, which Ryan cleverly converted into a shower shelf. He also built a cupboard around the new boiler and installed a new suite, complete with stylish tiling.

Home renovation before: The bathroom needed updated. Image: Emilie Gray — Before: The bathroom needed updated. Image: Emilie Gray

Home renovation after: The beautiful new bathroom. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson — After: The beautiful new bathroom. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson

Finishing touches

Interior walls and panelling

After stripping the walls, Emilie hired a plasterer for the living room, kitchen, and bedroom. Her father added wall panelling and skirting boards, enhancing the flat’s charm.

Kitchen upgrade

Instead of a complete kitchen overhaul, they opted to paint the cupboards and replace the handles, resulting in a fresh, modern look.

Home renovation before: Emily wanted to modernise the kitchen. Emilie Gray — Before: Emily wanted to modernise the kitchen. Emilie Gray

Home renovation after: Emilie painted the kitchen herself. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson — After: Emilie painted the kitchen herself. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson

Custom dressing area

A small room was converted into a walk-in wardrobe and dressing area with the help of Custom Workshop, local joiners who also installed a mantlepiece. Emilie’s boyfriend’s father painted almost the entire flat, while her mother and sister assisted with decoration decisions.

Personal touch and inspiration

Emilie aimed for a neutral aesthetic with black accents, ensuring a cohesive look throughout the flat. She drew inspiration from clients’ homes, her work as a photographer, and Pinterest. Leather touches, like her living room sofa, added a stylish flair.

Home renovation before: The flat was dated. Image: Emilie Gray — Before: The flat was dated. Image: Emilie Gray

Home renovation after: The Monfieth flat has great views of the beach. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson — After: The Monfieth flat has great views of the beach. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson

Challenges and rewards

Renovating an older building brought numerous challenges, from unexpected structural issues to managing costs. Emilie stressed the importance of involving friends and family to help manage the workload and expenses.

A successful sale and moving on

The renovation paid off. Listed with TSPC through Connelly and Yeoman, the flat quickly attracted interest. It went on the market on March 1, with a closing date set after just five days and an offer accepted by March 8. Although the first offer fell through, a second offer was accepted immediately upon remarketing.

Emilie is set to move out at the end of May 2024. She will miss her renovated flat, especially the sun-soaked conservatory, and the friendly neighbourhood. However, she is excited about her next project—a new house with her boyfriend that also requires extensive refurbishment.

Despite the hard work involved in her first renovation, Emilie looks forward to the challenge of transforming another property. Her experience and passion ensure that her next home will be just as beautiful and unique.

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Emilie’s home renovation story