Once upon a time a boy met a girl. They decided they were going to live together, forever. But where? 

The girl moved into the boy's bachelor apartment whilst the search began for a home of their own. It took two years. In all this time, they only went to view five houses. They were very fussy.

They could have swapped their pot of gold for a four-bedroom, new build, cleverly laid out with a playroom, study and utility, everything you need for an easy 21st century life. But, they didn't want a sensible home in the suburbs, surrounded by clones.

Instead, they exchanged their bag of coins for a unique dejected two-bedroom cottage  on the edge of a capital city. Whilst it's skeletal structure was sound, not much else was. It was in need of intensive tender loving care. 

The girl and the boy spent months putting the heart back into the house. On the day the girl put up the curtains, she'd sewn by hand and the roses started to bloom again on the ancient rose bush that hugged the front door, the house became home.

A few months later the boy and the girl became a mummy and a daddy. And three more years down the line, their daughter had a sister. The home that was perfect for two, was cosy for three and is now squishy for four.

Our little girls are now four and seven. This is our story of how we manage to live and enjoy living in a space we've outgrown.