I have always bought wrecks - I love renovating: and I completely agree with overpaying for a new renovation that is rubbish and soulless: I won't even view a house that has obviously been done up by one of the many "property developers" that infest London. I can cope with anything (have rectified asbestos, removed wood chip, put back period features and replaced everything from roof to digging up a floor to install underfloor heating in the past), but my absolute nos: dodgy neighbours/road, lack of off-street parking (London), a floor plan I can do nothing with, lack of potential to add value myself. I have seen (and met) some real horrors whilst looking for houses! Also, I have to have a period house: 1930s or older.

Remember that Rome wasn't built in a day.. Neither the house you want to make a home... If the house feels right. With your Head and your heart, location. Then if it's the house for you it will work.. Move in and adjust each day... Yes you can put your Mark on the house, yes it will be your HOME... But live with it for at least a short while.. Don't be hasty to paint.. See where the sunshine..shines...See where it makes dull on a dark day...So you Can add a mirror maybe to reflect the daylight.. Don't make the pennies stretch any further than they are.. Remember that sadly the bills have to come first..!!!.... Improvise pieces to fit and...if you have to save for the right item....Then save..!!! it will be more practical in the end , rather than buying for the sake of it and having to buy another a few months down the line... Don't fill every room with furniture.... My biggest mistake... Use a piece like a sideboard and think practically the uses.... Is it big enough.. One more draw or cupboard would have better than two smaller ones...don't be afraid to add old stuff that we all now reuse..paint it ...add your own art work... It's a long journey.. To find the destination of all your dreams... And when you feel you have achieved what you have done...then sit back and enjoy all your hard work. And live in your HOME... Enjoy. Relax.. And above all have fun...

Hi ED, Thanks! Yep the eye of faith is crucial with winter garden makeovers! It'll be loads more plant dominated in a year or two. There's already a pump in the pond, which works as a standalone fountain, but can be adapted to power a cascade on the wall behind. We're having all sorts of whacky ideas like building a 'marble run' style sculpture incorporating all our favourite things, (archaeology, sci fi etc) or a commissioned metal sculpture that looks like a steel version of Virginia creeper.

I don’t agree with the food truck sentiment mentioned above- if you have the financial outlay on renovations and the commitment to years of rent then staff are important in order to keep trading- it’s sobering to think that restaurants bankrupt 30% of owners within the first 12 months. Firstly you have to charge more than food truck prices to afford the increased outgoings and with that price tag come a customer expectation of more than a food truck. Also a food truck can have an opportunistic way of gaining trade by being at festivals or around busy car parks- with a restaurant you have to not only get customers but keep them coming back- in fact that is the most important part of the job. And people eat differently when they are alone so the food truck gets a single diner who won’t go to a restaurant. And the way people select a restaurant is different from a food truck - a reputation relies in part on its online reputation. Also it looks like there is a restaurant next door so you have competition that you might not have had when working in the truck. I think your research will show that restaurant service is just as important as the food. When you have a restaurant staff are important from Day 1. You are the face of the business and should be seen rather than hidden in the kitchen (although you could also hire a restaurant manager). Staff are important to keep the restaurant open when you can’t be there- and given that you will have to spend time recruiting, marketing, accounting, banking, cleaning, buying and doing maintenance there are not enough hours in the day for you to do it all.