‘It was a complete mess when we bought it’
Having both owned new-build properties in the past, Claire and Paul Air were desperate for some character when they began house hunting together 11 years ago. Luckily, the couple had been able to save up a sizeable deposit while living with Claire’s parents for two years in the same Northumberland town, and weren’t afraid to tackle a doer-upper. ‘Paul’s always been very handy and we’re both quite creative, so nothing scared us too much,’ explains Claire.
After viewing four period properties, they came across a ‘tardis-like’ Victorian terrace overlooking the beach. ‘We’d discounted it initially as it was above the stamp duty
