Kirstie and Phil's Love It or List It: Brilliant Builds

In this episode, Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer reflect on two historic houses located in Northamptonshire and Surrey that needed substantial updates to suit contemporary lifestyles. Their review highlights the challenges of modernising period properties while preserving their original character.

Keeping the Character is a television programme presented in the format of an episode. The show centres on the idea of preserving a building’s original feel while addressing the practicalities of contemporary use. It is listed simply as a programme and falls under the episode genre, offering viewers a concise look at specific property projects. In this particular installment, presenters Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer turn their attention to two historic homes. Both properties are period houses—one situated in Northamptonshire and the other in Surrey—and each was in urgent need of updates to make the spaces suitable for today’s way of life. The pair review how these older structures required significant changes to meet modern standards of comfort and functionality. The episode follows the presenters as they reflect on the challenges involved in adapting such houses. Their discussion highlights the tension between retaining the original character of the buildings and introducing the alterations necessary for modern‑day living. By revisiting these two locations, the programme illustrates the practical steps required when heritage properties must be brought up to date without losing their distinctive appeal.