Homepage LIVING
Mel Lamacraft is a highly successful influencer who provides social media content on everything to do with interiors. She has recently bought a new home in Essex which is in need of some serious renovation and she is looking forward to documenting the refurb. She talks to Lynda Clark about her home, her career and has some excellent advice for first time buyers At home with: Mel Lamacraft
FTB : Tell us about your first step on the property ladder? ML : I moved into my partner’s flat, which he owned, and when we had our first baby we decided we needed to move. It was the first place I had ever bought and it was quite stressful. After going to viewing after viewing with our tiny new baby we placed offers on a few homes which we both liked when our daughter was first born but often faced rejections due to the demand at the time. It ended up taking about six months before we finally found our home and moved in, so the whole process was quite hard especially with a tiny baby to look after as well. We bought a three bedroom semi-detached house which was in need of some tlc. We were very happy there as it had ample space for what we needed at the time! FTB : Where do you live now? ML: We sold the house last year and bought another property at the end of the same road, but it needs a full renovation. The house is a really peculiar shape and very dated as it has only ever had one owner who didn’t do anything to it. Because the work is so extensive we are staying with some relatives but we absolutely have to move back in at the end of the summer as my daughter starts school, so there is a great deal of work to do in a few months. The house is rather like a maze but when we viewed it we really knew it had loads of potential and were very excited. We are planning a double storey extension on the side of the house and to create a big open- plan living/dining/kitchen space. Upstairs we are going to have a wraparound landing leading to the four bedrooms. The main bedroom will have a dressing room with a door so that could be turned into a fifth bedroom if we need it. My partner is busy tearing down walls at the moment but soon the builders will start and things should really begin to happen! FTB : How did you become an influencer? ML: I started around 10 years ago when I was at university. I am dyslexic and I wanted to improve my writing skills so it was really just a hobby. I also dreamed of one day having a small little business and saw this as a start, so I carried on as it was great fun.
“I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AMBITIOUS AND HAVE A HUGE DRIVE TO SUCCEED AND IT’S REALLY NICE TO BE DOING THIS AS IT’S SOMETHING JUST FOR ME”
12 First Time Buyer April/May 2026
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator