Couple Transforms Dated 1970s Home, Boosts Value by £695,000 with Vintage Porsche Display

Lexie Carducci and her husband have significantly enhanced the value of their west London property, transforming a dated 1970s house into a modern dwelling with a distinct 'wow factor' primarily through a £350,000 renovation. The centerpiece of their redesign is a vintage Porsche displayed in the hallway, a feature that has boosted the home's estimated value from their purchase price of £1,505,000 to £1.85 million, with some agents valuing it as high as £2.2 million.

The couple's inspiration for the showroom hallway came from images seen on Pinterest. To achieve this, they removed a wall between the hallway and a boot room, installing a glass screen to create the display space. They then acquired a silver, open-top 1970s replica of a Porsche 356 Speedster with a red interior, costing approximately £40,000. The car, nicknamed 'Nelly,' is driven on sunny days.

This unique feature has not only increased the property's market value but also attracted attention from renters. During one summer, the home was rented to a celebrity actress for five weeks while the owners were on holiday. Carducci, who shares property insights on Instagram, described the actress as loving the home's peaceful and private atmosphere.

The renovation aimed to create a minimalist, Mediterranean villa-style retreat. Key to this transformation was the application of micro-cement on the ground and first floors, a process that cost around £20,000. Paintwork from Farrow & Ball in 'Skimming Stone' was used to complement the micro-cement, creating a neutral palette throughout. The couple also reconfigured the first floor to create a large open-plan living room, connected by steps to a mezzanine dining and kitchen area.

The original kitchen was replaced with a £35,000 Kutchenhaus German kitchen. Other additions include a £2,500 modular cream boucle sofa. Carducci noted that cost-saving measures included optimizing kitchen island storage and choosing less advanced appliance models. The master bedroom suite occupies the third floor, featuring a dressing room and en suite shower room, with access to a terrace overlooking the marina.

A notable design choice is the absence of curtains and blinds throughout the house, a decision Carducci attributes to her preference for natural light and a spa-like, calming environment. The interior design emphasizes texture over color, incorporating materials like boucle, wood, and slate-effect cabinetry to add depth and tactile interest.

Carducci advised that for those unable to display a vintage car, alternative 'hero' features such as large-scale art, sculptures, or statement lighting can serve a similar purpose in creating a focal point. She also suggested the use of reflective surfaces to enhance the sense of space and drama.

While the couple plans to hold onto the house for at least ten years to recoup their investment, their future plans for living in or renting out the property remain undecided. Carducci expressed enthusiasm for future home projects, viewing this as their dream home for the present.