Couple Transforms 1970s Home, Adds Vintage Porsche to Hallway, Boosting Value by £695,000

Lexie Carducci and her husband have significantly increased the value of their west London home, a dated 1970s property they purchased for £1,505,000. Following a £350,000 renovation aimed at creating an "Ibiza villa" aesthetic, the property's value has risen to £1.85 million, with some estate agents valuing it as high as £2.2 million.

The centerpiece of the renovation is a unique showroom hallway featuring a £40,000 vintage Porsche replica. To achieve this, the couple removed a wall between the hallway and a boot room, installing a Crittall-style glass screen to display the silver 1970s Porsche 356 Speedster replica with a red interior. "I wanted to have a show-stopping hallway, so when people come into the house it's literally there for people to walk in and go, 'wow'," Lexie Carducci, who shares property tips on Instagram, stated.

This distinctive feature has not only boosted the home's market value but also attracted attention from high-profile individuals. During the summer, the property was rented out for five weeks to a "celebrity actress" who stayed while Carducci and her husband were on holiday. "It's so peaceful and private here and she loved it," Carducci remarked.

The home's transformation has also earned Carducci a finalist spot in the Best Hallway category at the upcoming uFurnish Home Awards. The couple's inspiration for the car-in-hallway concept came from Pinterest, adapting the idea to their existing property structure. The replica Porsche, nicknamed "Nelly," was chosen as a more affordable alternative to a genuine 1970s Porsche 356 Speedster, which can cost around £250,000. The kit car is built on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis.

Carducci, who is also a property developer and investor, advises that for those unable to display a vehicle, alternative "hero" features such as large artworks, sculptures, or unique lighting can create a similar impact. The couple themselves consider the car their only piece of art in the house.

The extensive renovation, which took 23 weeks, converted the three-floor property from its original 1970s marina development style, previously featuring floral curtains and colorful walls, into a minimalist, spa-like retreat. The couple utilized micro-cement for a neutral, cohesive look throughout the ground and first floors, complemented by Farrow & Ball paint. Walls were reconfigured to create an open-plan living space, with the dining and kitchen area on a mezzanine level.

Key elements of the renovation include a new £35,000 German kitchen from Kutchenhaus, replacing the old galley-style kitchen which was sold for £3,000 on Facebook Marketplace. They also purchased a £2,500 modular cream boucle sofa. Carducci emphasized cost-saving measures, such as incorporating storage into the kitchen island and opting for fewer drawers, as well as selecting a less advanced range of Bosch appliances.

The third floor houses the main bedroom suite, complete with a dressing room and en suite. A terrace off the main bedroom offers views of the marina. Notably, the couple opted against installing any curtains or blinds throughout the house, preferring to wake with natural light and enjoy the marina lights at night.

Carducci described the overall design philosophy as "texturemaxxing," focusing on depth and harmony through materials like boucle, wood, and slate-effect kitchen cabinetry rather than bold colors. While the couple has invested heavily in their "dream home," they are undecided on whether they will live in it long-term or rent it out, noting that they would need to hold onto it for ten years to recoup their expenses. The winners of the uFurnish.com Home Awards are scheduled to be announced on October 19.