Customer Spotlight - Jo Harding – Blue Ticking

This month, we're excited to shine a spotlight on another of our wonderful customers, Jo Harding. Jo has spent the last three years renovating her beautiful home which you can follow via her Instagram page @renovating_the_house. Along the way she has picked up a few Blue Ticking goods for her children's bedrooms.

Jo kindly answered some questions and sent us some amazing photos of her home. We hope you enjoy reading this as much as we did!

Could you tell us a bit about your house and why you decided to buy it?

We've been in our current house for a little over three years and have spent almost the entire time renovating it. I'd just had our 3rd child and we wanted more space and a bigger garden. It was actually over the road from our previous house so not far to move! The owners had lived here for a long time and were in their 90s by this point so the property was very run down. We felt it would be the perfect opportunity to sink our teeth into a project, by putting our stamp on it while preserving the history of the house.

What's been your favourite room to renovate in your home?

The most rewarding has been the loft bathroom. It was an unusable space with a collapsing ceiling. We exposed and restored the original beams and created a large family bathroom with beautiful original features.

What have you found has been the hardest part of the renovation process?

Being without a kitchen for a large chunk of time when it was knocked down for the extension to be built. With three children under the age of six to feed it was definitely a challenge! We cooked on a plug in electric wok and a camping stove and I was very happy to see the back of both!

What's been the most enjoyable part of renovating?

Being able to put our mark on the house and do everything we can to make it work hard for our family and the way we live in it.

What tips would you give to somebody who is thinking about taking on a renovation project?

Always expect it to take longer than you anticipated and for it to cost more too!

You have a few Blue Ticking goods in your home, how did you hear about us?

I came across Blue Ticking on Instagram and was an immediate fan! I love the ethos of breathing new life into pieces that need a bit of TLC, much like our house!

Out of all the things you have bought from us, what is your favourite piece?

I adore the desk and matching chair we have in my son, Flynn's, bedroom. He is a creative little soul and spends a lot of time creating masterpieces at it. It certainly came into its own during lockdown and home-schooling!

When buying furniture and pieces for your home what's important to you?

I like to buy pieces that function, have character and history if possible, and that add to the personality of our home.

Why would you recommend Blue Ticking to others?

I would always recommend Blue Ticking because it's a wonderful, family-run business with the most beautiful and useful pieces that can sit well in any period or style of home.

Is there anything you would have done differently with the renovation?

No, I think the beauty of doing it slowly over 3 years is that we've had time to really assess how we use each space and what will work for our family before carrying out the work.