Before & After Case Studies

Explore a range of my completed projects and discover how strategic design and development expertise turn properties into stylish, high-value spaces.

From a tired and dark basement to a stylish, bright 2-bedroom home

Basement Apartment Chiswick London W4

Under construction site with brick and concrete block walls, blue tarp overhead, and construction materials on the ground.
Bright modern living room with large open sliding glass door leading to a patio with greenery. Inside, there is a white couch, a TV mounted on the wall, and a white bookshelf. Decor includes colorful pillows, a vase of flowers, and various small decorative items.

How we transformed an underused space into a profitable home.

Project Overview

A tired one-bedroom basement in Chiswick was transformed into a bright, functional two-bedroom space through smart reconfiguration, improved ceiling heights, and light wells with large sliding doors, creating a stylish home that met strong rental demand in West London in 2010.

Before

  • 1-bed basement flat

  • Cramped, inefficient layout

  • Dark, limited natural light

  • Outdated finishes & poor systems

  • Limited rental/resale potential

After

  • 2-bed modern apartment

  • Bright, open-plan living with rear extension

  • Large sliding doors & light wells

  • High-spec kitchen & bathroom

  • Strong rental demand & uplift in value

Our Approach

  • Open-plan rear extension and relocated living space for light & garden access

  • Extra bedroom added through smart layout design

  • Full modern upgrade: kitchen, bathroom, plumbing, electrics, insulation, flooring

Financial Summary

  • Purchase Price: £200,000

  • Renovation Cost: £83,00

  • Total Investment £283.000

  • End Value (GVD): £410,000

  • Project Timeline: 6 months

  • Outcome: Strong uplift in value with sustained rental demand in West London

Existing & Propose Plans

Floor plan of a house showing an entrance, living room, bedroom, hall, kitchen, bathroom, and garden with labels.
Proposed ground floor plan for a house showing the living-dining kitchen area, hall, study, bathroom, bedroom, and entrance, with staircases and garden area.

This project demonstrates how layout strategy and targeted investment can significantly improve both value and long-term performance.

Mezzanine Apartment Kensington - London W8

From Standard Apartment to Design-Led Mezzanine Home

Interior of a house under renovation with debris, exposed wiring, and partially removed walls.
Modern living room with a staircase, colorful abstract painting, sofa with decorative pillows, kitchen in the background, and loft bedroom above.

Maximising space, style, and value in a prime London location.

Project Overview

This project transformed a standard apartment into a mezzanine-style home, increasing usable floor area and creating a light, open and visually connected space, without the need for an external extension.
Designed for a corporate client, the apartment now balances efficiency, quality and modern living in a highly desirable Kensington location.

Before vs After

Before

  • Single-level apartment with limited usable space

  • Poor flow and disconnected areas

  • Standar finishes with untapped potential

After

  • Mezzanine apartment with increased usable floor area

  • Open, light-filled space with clear visual connection between levels

  • Bespoke, high-quality finishes for the prime London market

Our Approach

The apartment was reconfigured to improve space, light and overall performance:

  • Structural works to support the mezzanine floor

  • Bespoke staircase & balustrade design

  • Increased usable floor area without an extension

  • Improved flow and visual connection between levels

  • Carefully considered finishes suited to the local market.

Financial

  • Purchase Price: £250.000

  • Renovation Cost: £80,000

  • Total investment: £330,000

  • Outcome: Added value achieved through intelligent spatial reconfiguration rather than extension

Floor plan of a mezzanine apartment showing a balcony, lower floor, and upper mezzanine with a bedroom and sitting area. The bathroom includes a bathtub, toilet, sink, and a screen separating the low units.

Mezzanine

Floor plan of a small apartment with entrance leading into an open living space, balcony at the bottom, stairs to mezzanine, storage shelves and fireplace on the left, kitchen area with sink and stove, small bathroom with toilet, sink, and lobby area.

Ground floor

How design-led development decisions can increase usable space, improve market appeal and strengthen overall project performance.

Victoria Cottage Woodbridge Suffolk

A cozy living room corner featuring a black decorative fireplace with Indian artifacts and candles on top, a gold-framed mirror above it, wooden doors on either side, and a partial view of a couch and side table with a lamp in foreground.

From Tired Cottage to Restored Character Home

Living room with a decorative fireplace, built-in shelves on either side, a mirror above the mantel, a cream sofa on the left, a wooden chair with a yellow cushion on the right, and various decorative items.

Transforming an underperforming property into a well-designed, functional home with lasting value.

Project Overview

This project involved a full internal and external renovation,

optimising the layout while carefully restoring the cottage’s original character. The result is a highly desirable home in Woodbridge combining modern comforts with traditional charm.

Before vs After

Before

  • Outdated layout & finishes

  • Limited natural light and poor spatial flow

  • Original features worn and neglected

After

  • Reconfigured, bright, and well-functioning layout

  • Modern upgrades with character carefully restored

  • Improved natural light & comfortable, practical living

Our Approach

We upgraded the property with a focus on both function and character:

  • Full renovation: new plumbing, electrics, and insulation

  • Reconfigured layout to improved spatial flow

  • Original features restored with modern updates

  • Enhanced natural light through improve glazing and finishes

Financial Summary

  • Purchase Price: £180,000 (2024)

  • Renovation Cost: £50,000

  • Total investment = £230,000

  • Outcome 39.1% uplift in value (2024)

Map of Woodbridge, showing several landmarks including The Bull Inn, Woodbridge Dental Care, The Crown at Woodbridge, The Anchor, Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum, and various streets and natural features.

How careful layout reconfiguration and early design decisions can improve usability, preserve character and strengthen overall value.

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Success stories

  • “Monica was fantastic. She gave me excellent advice on my apartments overlooking a river in Provence. Her insights on interior design were invaluable in transforming my home into a rental. She offered valuable suggestions regarding layout, as well as kitchen and bathroom design, style, colour, and furniture. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her.”

    Provence by the river - holiday rental - France

  • “Monica worked on my property developer project. It was a big job putting in a new staircase, a new kitchen and a bathroom which now look modern, smart and done with great style. Wardrobes for 3 bedrooms were designed specifically to enhance the feeling of space. Can't thank you enough, and the work was finished on time!”

    Emma Taylor