'No one wanted this house – it scared people away!'

Subsidence and cracks in the walls didn't stop Ali Slater seeing the potential to create a beautiful family home, full of mid-century touches and eclectic artwork

- Ali Slater

I was definitely naive when I bought this house,' admits Ali Slater, explaining how she came to take on such a huge project.

The building had subsidence and there was a massive crack through the living room wall. 'Also, the carpets were threadbare and the small front room had a tiny retro hatch into the kitchen, which was full of filthy orange-pine kitchen cabinets, stained wallpaper and holes in the ceiling,' she explains. 'But I was getting a lot of house for my money, which, as a single parent, was important. And whereas most people looked at how awful the place was, as a creative I just saw the potential to make a beautiful family home for myself and my two children.'

SURVEYING THE SCENE