'We've made the most of every inch of space'

With a blended family of six, Laurie Hale has maximised every opportunity for storage in her compact home without sacrificing on style

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Although this three-bedroom terraced house in Chilwell, Nottingham, was stuck in a 1970s' time warp, Laurie Hale wasn't put off by the outdated decor. 'I wasn't afraid of buying something that I could put my own stamp on,' says Laurie. "There was old-fashioned panelling everywhere, Artex ceilings and small wooden kitchen cupboards teamed with dark terracotta floor tiles, but the views overlooking fields at the front were a big plus. I also loved the staircase, as it has a spacious high ceiling, and the way it curved around was a bit unusual.'

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