Built in 1876, this handsome Victorian home lies in the quiet neighbourhood of St Helens and has recently undergone extensive renovation. Spanning some 3,557 sq ft internally, the house has five bedrooms, an imposing reception room, an entertaining floor, and a basement with a cinema and bar. Externally, a beautifully landscaped garden leads to a separate car port and studio; clad in aged, Corten steel, it has been carefully blended into the grounds concealed by tall Japonica and bamboo trees. The house is a short walk from Thatto Heath train station, which has fast, direct trains to Liverpool Lime Street.

Setting the Scene

Great consideration has been paid to the period of the home in its renovation, adding a number of sympathetic modernisations. Fine carpentry and clever finishes create a considered feel, which echoes a previous project completed by the current owners in Whitstable. For more information, please see our article in the Modern House Journal and the History section below.

The Grand Tour

The handsome façade of the house is clad in an insulated stucco by K-rend, recently finished as part of the overall renovations. Entry to the home is via a broad flight of sandstone steps leading to a small porch with an original stained-glass screen. This opens to the main entrance hall, finished in a natural palette of Little Greene paints with decorative moulding lining the walls and beautiful, solid oak flooring underfoot. Jim Lawrence lighting and door furniture complement the space.

On the right is the sitting room, with a bank of hand-made library shelving with a lovely sliding ladder. A vast bay window with newly fitted double glazing illuminates the space, and solid oak parquet runs underfoot. A log-burning stove with a polished concrete hearth warms the room in cooler months.

Throughout the house, Little Greene 'Eggshell' paint has been meticulously spray painted on the walls, creating a seamless finish. On the ground level, oil has been applied to the oak floorboards and internal doors, sanded to define a grain pattern, and then re-oiled in a lighter finish to achieve an aged look.

At the back of the plan is a pretty dining room overlooking the large, private garden. The room has lovely, floor-to-ceiling French doors, which open to the rear patio, while another log-burning stove creates a focal point. Like the rest of the house, the room has been fitted with a traditional cast-iron radiator.

At the heart of the ground floor is a large kitchen, where beautiful, handmade oak units are finished in Little Greene paint, topped with heavy black granite; complementary white marble runs underfoot. A vast central island sits in the middle of the space with a ceramic sink and a Perrin & Rowe tap inset. The original chimney alcove has been widened to accommodate a large gas cooker with concealed extractor fan above. Next to the kitchen is a useful utility room, where the marble flooring continues. A downstairs WC is tucked in the back with Cole and Son wallpaper, and there is access to the garden via a glazed rear door.

Ascending to the first floor, the staircase and landing are finished in sisal carpeting by the Alternative Flooring Company. Ceiling lights are crowned with Pooky shades, and Vaughan picture lights hang on walls.

The primary bedroom suite is at the front of the plan, defined by its voluminous ceiling heights. A floor-to-ceiling bay window echoes the ground floor, drawing light deep into the room. A doorway to the side of an original chimney breast opens to a walk-in wardrobe with bespoke cabinetry; an en suite shower room has been clad in Mandarin Stone tiles.

There are two more bedrooms on this floor, each with large, sash windows. A large family bathroom sits at the rear of the plan. A wonderful space; the floor has been clad in travertine tiles, and the walls are finished in Venetian plaster, creating an enveloping feel. Beneath a decorative arch is a polished steel bath by the Cast Iron Bath Company, complemented by Imperial Bathroom fixtures from Lefroy Brooks and more Jim Lawrence light fixtures.

The second floor has been finished slightly differently from the rest of the home. Traditional bowtie joints have been added to match the hall floor, and all outside corners have handmade beehive box joints, all of which speak of the fine craftsmanship found throughout the house. Here, oak plywood skirting and doorframes add a modern touch, nodding to the fact this floor is a new addition—two bedrooms and a bathroom lie on this floor, each with Velux skylights and eaves storage. The bathroom's polished plaster walls match Mandarin Stone terrazzo tiles, and a handmade birch-ply sink is topped with Lusso Stone fixtures.

The basement is perfect for entertaining, divided up as a cinema room with a bar next door. The bar's floor is made from bottlecaps, laid in a distinctive zig-zag pattern inspired by David Bowie's Aladdin Sane album cover.

The Great Outdoors

At the front of the house is a gated driveway and landscaped approach. The brick used throughout was tumbled on-site for a traditional look, and the tiled pathway leading to the main entrance is by Olde English. The private rear garden has been extensively landscaped, creating an ardent oasis designed for entertaining.

Larch decking has been treated using Shou Sugi ban for a durable finish, and raised Corten steel beds are planted with a mixture of ferns, grasses and palms, which are practical and low-maintenance but also in keeping with the original period of the home. There is space for a jacuzzi sunken into the decking.

Mandarin Stone porcelain tiles line a seating area in front of the garden studio, where a covered cooking area leads to a poured concrete bar. The space has an outdoor shower (perfect for use in warmer months), and Astro up-lighting has been used throughout.

The external studio space is large enough to accommodate an office or guest bedroom and has a separate WC and storage room. From here, an extended car port with overhead skylights leads to Kings Road, which lies to the rear of Prescot Road.

Out and About

To the rear of the house is Taylor Park, with a small bowling club and beautiful grounds; there is also a famous members club for locals. The Shakespeare North Playhouse is just up the road and has recently been completed - the new theatre's layout was based on a 1629 design by Inigo Jones.

A host of locally favoured eateries, wine bars and pubs are within reaching distance, the most notable of which is the Pinion Bistro by chef Gary Usher, the Wine Club in Rainhill and the Griffin Inn, an excellent local pub within walking distance from the house.

Liverpool City Centre is a short drive or train journey away, with a host of cultural offerings; the Everyman Theatre, Philharmonic Hall and Tung Auditorium have a variety of shows and exhibitions throughout the year, while the TATE Liverpool and Walker Art Gallery are home to some of the nations most revered contemporary and traditional art, including permanent collections and rotating exhibitions. For the culinary inclined, there is Mowgli, Duke Street Market, Coffi and Nord. The nearby Baltic Triangle is notable for its lively creative industries, food market and venues.

The nearby station of Thatto Heath is a short drive away, or a 15-minute walk, and runs regular services to Liverpool Lime Street in under 30 minutes. Trains from Liverpool run to Manchester Piccadilly in 25 minutes, and London Euston can be reached in two hours. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is a 25-minute drive away, while the M62 is a 10-minute drive.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: Approx. 852 years remaining
Service Charge: N/A
Ground Rent: Peppercorn
Council Tax Band: E