Vic Au-Yeung, 42, wants to show that DIY home renovation is feasible, even when there are challenges.
Vic, from Herefordshire, has a rare bone condition called Klippel-Feil syndrome, as well as dystonia, a chronic condition in which muscles contract involuntarily.
This means she is often in pain and uses a wheelchair to get around.
So when it came to redecorating the home she shares with her husband, Shawn, and their 15-year-old daughter Jazmyn, the transformation didn’t just have to meet the aesthetics – it also had to meet Vic’s accessibility needs… all of them. while sticking to a budget.
The family moved into the four-bed detached house five years ago, paid £230,000, and immediately went to work.
But two years after the big project, Vic’s condition worsened, changing her home needs.
The family’s DIY plans have been modified to work for them, and now the results are seriously impressive.
Vic now estimates that their work added £70,000 to the home’s value.
In the kitchen, accessibility is central to the design, with an open-plan layout, rustic-chic interiors, and greenery that runs from the ceiling to the wood-panelled breakfast bar.
Looks pretty cool, right? Spoiler: the refurbishment of this room only cost £50 to do.
“We started refurbishing right away because we wanted to make it a house and put our stamp on it,” says Vic.
‘I like the industrial and upcycled look; my coffee table in my living room is even a cable reel.
‘I also have an enormous passion for plants, they have become a big part of my decor.
“My favorite compliment I always get is when people say they can see so much personality in my house.
“Although I always get inspiration from others, I would hate it if my house looked exactly like someone else’s.
“I think you appreciate it more this way because we put so much work into it.”
Among the changes were adding ramps to the yard and installing a stairlift, which Vic painted black.
“I had been looking for a new stairlift for months and just had to wait for the right one to arrive,” she said.
‘When that was the case, I painted it black and again that mobility aid meant freedom.
“Not having to crawl up and down the stairs like I did for years was a treat.”
The dining room, which cost just £20 to transform, delivers Scandi vibes with white chairs, a fuzzy rug and dark navy and gold storage units, while in Jazmyn’s room, green walls are complemented by minimalist artwork and a sweet pink stool.
The parents’ bedroom has a touch of deep blue for a lavish feel, plus large wall art.
The budget for all of this was kept low thanks to a mix of the couple doing the work themselves, buying products and materials from Facebook Marketplace and high street stores, and receiving donations.
In her bedroom, Vic spent around £300, while the transformation of her daughter’s room cost £200.
The cost of the living room was kept low with £30 of paint and some cheap eBay finds to decorate with, while the kitchen set them back £50 and the dining room only £20 to refurbish.
Vic said, “The only problems I’ve encountered in furnishing my house is a non-existent budget.
“Now that I’ve stopped working, there isn’t much money left to spend on our house.”
For anyone thinking about a DIY project, Vic has some words of wisdom.
She said: ‘There are many grants available that many of us are not aware of, so always ask.
“When decorating on a budget, the best advice I can give is try not to compare your home to others.
‘Keep stepping back and appreciating how far you’ve come, don’t get bogged down [about] how far you still have to go.
“Don’t be afraid to try new things when it comes to DIY.
Somewhere on YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and even TikTok now, there will be instructions or tips to help you achieve what you want to do, just stick with it.
“The sense of accomplishment when you’ve done something you never thought you could do is an incredible feeling.”
You can check out more of Vic’s home on the @our_home_in_kingstone Instagram.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE: People Share How They’ve Transformed Their Bathrooms On A Budget Using DIY
MORE: Color Lover Who Transformed Her Flat Reveals Her Top Tips for Brightening Your Home
MORE: Why Are We In A DIY Culture Boom?
Get all the necessary real estate news, features and advice from Metro every week.