Horror stories began to circulate of people who had tried to renovate their kitchen and had been denied permission because they lacked an 'artist-inresidence' certificate.

They plan to renovate the kitchen and perform much-needed maintenance, while still maintaining some of the classic elements of the mansion.

Unless you are embarking on a short-term project such as interior decorating or renovating the kitchen, there should be no reason to hire a space to store clutter.

Changes that reflect personal taste might not appeal to others, but renovating a kitchen or bathroom usually has universal appeal.

Even the collapse in the housing market has been a minor boon, as more homeowners chose to renovate their kitchens rather than move to a new property.