A Dreamy Renovated 1920s Home Has a Secret Guest Room Hiding in the Garden Shed

“It’s still only a short cycle to the main shopping area/train station and a short walk to a woodland — the perfect compromise,” Marja explains of their new home’s location.

Marja and Harry have lived in the house for less than a year. Because it hadn’t been updated for decades before they purchased it, Marja says it was a “big mess.” They had to renovate the whole house themselves for a few months before it could be livable.

Marja says that every room was changed. Knowing they wanted to maximize their living space, Marja says they put in a small-but-mighty IKEA kitchen (even though friends and family advised going for a big kitchen). They also gave the bathroom a makeover using “lots” of tile paint, and even renovated the toilet. “I wanted a toilet that looked like a toilet from 1920,” Marja admits.

“We even plastered the bedroom ourselves, which we are really proud of; never tried that before!” describes Marja. “Having a need to move in really pushed us to get the work done, and not having the time to wait for trades meant we had to do it ourselves (with some help from good friends and family of course!).” 

• Chairs — Sissy Boy Homeland
• Table — Self-Made
• Coach — Marktplaats

• All — IKEA

• All — IKEA and Secondhand

Thanks, Marja!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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