A couple undertaking a monumental DIY restoration of their 400-year-old home have described hitting the 'jackpot' after an astonishing discovery behind a bedroom wall.
The 'Jackpot' Discovery
Olivia and Jack Munro, who purchased the property in 2023, have been working tirelessly for two years to return the house to its original glory. After stripping back walls in one room to begin replastering, they spotted the outlines of old beams. This led them to uncover a completely hidden inglenook fireplace, a stunning original feature likely blocked up since the 1950s or earlier.
"We had no idea it was there," Olivia explained in a TikTok video shared with their 21,700 followers. The couple, who had previously been stunned by a find in their garden, decided to tackle the £200,000-worth of restoration work themselves after receiving a daunting professional quote.
Restoring History Beam by Beam
Determined to reinstate all the home's period features, the duo carefully removed the modern fireplace that had concealed the historic treasure. They then fitted a replacement beam, had the original timber sandblasted, and cleaned the bricks to reveal the fireplace's full grandeur.
The project in the lounge extended beyond the fireplace. The Munros installed breathable insulation and comprehensive heating systems, and laid a new limecrete floor to complement the aged features. Their ambitious work is far from over, with Olivia revealing that 13 more rooms in the sprawling property still await their attention.
Public Admiration for a Labour of Love
After sharing their progress online, the couple were flooded with praise from admirers. One commenter called the find "fabulous," while another stated, "If only every old house had owners with your mindset." Others expressed sheer envy, with one follower confessing an inglenook fireplace was their "ultimate dream."
The couple continue to document their painstaking restoration on TikTok under the handle @lifeatmoathouse, inspiring others with their dedication to preserving a slice of British architectural history.
