A WOMAN told how she shunned land-life for a BOAT – because it was so much cheaper.
Not only that but DIY fan Dottie Turnball has given her unique home has since given her unique home an epic makeover on the cheap.
Using bargain buys from B&M, B&Q, Ikea and Wilko, Cambridgeshire couple, Dottie, 21, and Tristan Van, 25, turned their once run down boat into a beautiful home on water.
They spent just £150 transforming the bathroom – getting rid of the mould, mushrooms and non-waterproof floor.
The couple previously told Fabulous that they were once renting a one bedroom cottage but the landlord gave them a three-month notice period, leaving them scratching their heads at what to do next.
But now they pay roughly £4 per month for gas, £20 per month forheating and £10 for electricity.
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Dottie, who works in marketing, told Fabulous: “A year-and-a-half ago Tristan and I were renting a one-bedroom cottage in Cambridgeshire.
“It was pretty run down when we moved there, but within six months we had completely transformed the place – so much so the landlord put our little home up for sale and gave us our three month notice period, which in all honestly shocked us both.
“We were then in a bit of a rut, as we both loved character homes but didn’t have a large enough deposit to buy.
“We could have done a Help-to-Buy and bought a home in a new-build estate but that wasn’t really our thing.”
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Dottie explained that she and Tristan, who is a barber, made the decision to buy and live on a boat instead.
She continued: “At that time, I’d always known I’d love to live on a narrowboat, but never thought four months later I’d be there.
“From a little girl I had my sights set. I’ve never wanted to settle down as such and love change so this always felt like an adventure I had to do. Although I didn’t think I’d be able to live this dream so soon.
“We bought the boat in October 2021. It cost us £30,000.
“We’ve been living on it for more than a year now and there’s now three of us with our puppy Teddy.”
Now, Dottie has revealed all about the boat’s transformation, as she explained that the pair have given their home a new lease of life, whilst on a budget.
Dottie shared: “I was certain from the moment I saw the bathroom that it needed a whole transformation.
“There were so many issues, including mould, mushrooms (don’t ask) and a non-waterproof floor.
“It was a BIG process to get rid of the old sink, which was massive and took up so much room.
“We knocked through a wall, when we first moved in to make the space slightly bigger too, so the new sink slotted into the added gap.
“The floor was laid with vinyl, which had become super grubby and just wasn’t waterproof at all, which isn’t too good on a boat!
“As for the walls, they weren’t very clean and there was a fair bit of mould because of the lack of air ventilation.
“For all these reasons, it needed a complete refresh.”
Everything was done by me! We had got a few quotes to do the whole bathroom, which started at £3,500, so I didn’t really have a choice.
The couple wanted to keep the costs down on the bathroom renovation and managed to do so by nabbing cheap buys from the high-street, as well as freebies where possible.
Dottie explained that she got tiles from Facebook Marketplace for just £30 and borrowed a tile cutter.
She nabbed waterproof vinyl for the walls from Amazon for £16, black and green paint from Wilko for £22 for both and a sink from B&Q in the sale for £45.
Not only this, but the savvy woman was able to get her hands on second hand shelves from her office, for free, as well as a macrame hanger from Copenhagen market for only £3.
She also bought pot and plants from Ikea for just £10, and other decorations equating to £20. In total, the pair spent £150 on the bathroom’s renovation.
Dottie told Fabulous that she was keen to take on the project herself, as she claimed: “I always said to myself, I’d take my time with the bathroom renovation as it’s not a pleasant job.
“It’s such a small and awkward space, it can be quite tricky.
“I’m lucky to have shower blocks and bathrooms onsite at my marina, so it’s never been a necessity as such to rush the job.
“However, there were key things I did instantly. Like ripping up the floor, scrubbing the walls and using white vinegar to get rid of some very disgusting mushrooms that were growing from the moist conditions.
“It took me forever to deep clean that bathroom but that was already a big step in the renovation process.
“After the wall was knocked through and the old sink removed, it was time to plumb in the new sink – which wasn’t too complicated at all (with the help from a family friend – it’s not what you know, it’s who)!
“The next step was the floor tiles, which was… interesting. Especially for someone who had never tiled before.
“After that, it was time to paint the walls a mixture of black, green, white and pink (of course). This included spray painting old hooks and light fittings, lowering the cost.
I’ve always loved DIY and I love painting, so I guess I have a bit of a knack for it, although I’ve always believed in just giving it a go. What’s the harm in trying?!
“Next came the vinyl for the walls, which was surprisingly easy. After that it was just the finishing touches
“Everything was done by me! We had got a few quotes to do the whole bathroom, which started at £3,500… So I didn’t really have a choice.
“Same with the rest of the boat, I always wanted to keep costs down, mainly due to doing more DIY in a shorter time frame and I’m really proud at how cheap this renovation was.”
Dottie claimed that she has always been good at DIY and is a very creative person, as she continued: “I’ve always loved DIY and I love painting, so I guess I have a bit of a knack for it, although I’ve always believed in just giving it a go. What’s the harm in trying?!
“A few Youtube tutorials on the tiling, but it’s really difficult on a boat because everything is wonky or not straight.
“It just takes more time doing it yourself, but then you save a lot of money.”
When it comes to high-street shops to nab bargains, Dottie expressed: “B&M is my all time favourite [shop] and I have one literally a 10 minute walk away from the boat which is dangerous. The candles though!
“[I also love] a Wilko (or used to be a Wilko), I loved all the plants from there and the DIY bits which were way cheaper than other shops.
“Amazon has always been really useful, I’m just very impatient so I hate waiting for delivery and it’s a little difficult when you don’t have a set address.
“I am also a big fan of a car-boot, going most Sundays to see what bargains I can find. I have bought a lot of frames, prints, mirrors so far and for so cheap.
“Facebook Marketplace too is also really handy to have, especially if you’re just browsing.”
Reflecting on her impressive bathroom transformation, Dottie shared: “I honestly love it, and I can’t believe it's the same space.
We’ve completely transformed the [boat] with a lot of colour and we’re now starting to add our own touches onto our home.
“It doesn’t quite do it justice on photos as the light doesn’t shine very well on camera.
“There’s only one small porthole which means unlike the rest of the boat, it’s a relatively dark space and so to capture the mood of the bathroom is pretty tricky.
“It’s so cosy, modern and yet still really colourful, which is something I’ve tried to maintain throughout the boat.”
Dottie then explained: “When we bought the boat, it was very oldy worldy. In fact I don’t think it had been touched once.
“We’ve completely transformed the [boat] with a lot of colour and we’re now starting to add our own touches onto our home.
“We’ve put down new flooring and have recently just finished turning our little outside area into a garden with fake grass and chairs.
“Pretty much all the boat is done now. I’ve just painted the bedroom bright pink, so it’s just time to decorate that room now, and then the interior is pretty much done. Or as done as boats can be!
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“I think I will always be decorating…the living room and kitchen were the first rooms completed and they have been transformed too, so it really has come together to be this super colourful and cosy home.”
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