making decisions, even about small things, becomes incredibly hard – you can have a beautiful version of something or a cheap one – it’s hard to work out where to compromise,” says Lizzy.
The downstairs living area is the real showstopper – configured around a central, double-sided wood fire, separating the kitchen, dining area and main lounge. There is a large breakfast bar for Rupert’s coffee machine which turns into a cocktail making area in the evening when the family have friends round. “It’s a great party house – if we ever had the time!” The kitchen was made in Exeter by Intoto, and features a seven-metre long white marble worktop, which was made by a friend. A Kartell Bookworm bookshelf by Ron Arad features on the main wall in the living area.
Parts of the house have been designed for the couple’s two sons; there is a mini snooker table, a football table in the entrance hall and table tennis in the garage. The large study-cum-spare bedroom converts to a snug and play room. There is also a boot room for the countless pairs of football boots. There are four bathrooms, including a downstairs shower room, two ensuites, and one main bathroom. “It’s a fabulous house to live in and brings us a lot of joy. We are pretty lucky,” says Rupert.
LOCAL SUPPORT
From the front, the house is incredibly striking and stands out against the surrounding Victorian
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Lizzy was able to make her stamp on the house, her love of bright colours has been incorporated into every room
terraces. The neighbours were behind the project from the get-go: “We did cause some waves,” says Rupert. “But ultimately we took an ugly property and made a beautiful property which is something people supported.” He adds: “We still get people standing at the bottom of the drive staring up at it.” Four years on and the couple are now ready to start work on the second stage of the renovation. The large terraced area at the front of the house is mostly driveway space with a garage. At the back of the house is a smaller, L-shaped lawn with a summer house. The couple plan to renovate this into an airbnb, or a place for the boys to live when they get older, and are hoping that Paul will take on the project later this year. “If we can finish the garden, I don’t know where else I would want to live,” says Lizzy.
nov/dec 2020
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