victorian rectory
A former rectory has been transformed into a bright, welcoming family home filled with roaring logburners and sink-into sofas
Roaring fires and sink-into sofas make this characterful family abode a cosy festive retreat.
There are some houses that might have been designed especially for Christmas. Lulu and Gus Anderson’s family home is a case in point. On a brisk winter’s morning, you glimpse well-stoked fires and snoozing dogs through the stone mullioned windows and there is a deep porch for removing snow-dusted boots.
Although it is only ten minutes from the heart of Bath, this mellow, Victorian rectory feels as tranquil as a country house. It is therefore surprising to learn that the Andersons never planned to move here. ‘We’d been happy living in a smaller townhouse in the centre of Bath, but one day I spotted this house online and decided to visit,’ says Lulu. ‘I knew this was where our family home should be. It felt right: the peace, the muntjac deer in the garden. It’s a haven.’
Starting again
Built in the 19th century, the house had later been divided into three flats. The Andersons started from scratch, turning it back into a convivial family home with six bedrooms and six bathrooms ranged over the three storeys, including a capacious, converted attic. Gus, who has a background in engineering, drew up the plans for the builder, Birch Construction. ‘As well as having an eagle eye for detail, they’re good at reining in more impractical ideas,’ says Lulu. For design help, she turned to her friend, interior designer Fiona Parke. ‘Fiona pushes me out of my comfort zone without it being too much of a stretch. She works with your ideas but brings them together coherently.’
a new Space
Seven months later, the house was transformed. At the top, a new staircase leads to the converted attic with games room. On the first floor, the requisite suite effect was achieved by turning three rooms into a walk-through wardrobe, bathroom and bedroom. Upstairs, the couple’s daughters have pretty en-suite bathrooms; downstairs, there is an inviting family room and a shared study.
all in the Detail
Getting the finishing touches in place was straightforward. ‘Having worked on Lulu’s previous homes, we’d gone through the nitty-gritty of choosing handles and paint colours. We wanted to recreate a similar look to their last home but with more colour,’ says Fiona. This time, favoured neutrals contrast with splashes of teal and blue.
To add definition to the interior, Fiona added panelling in many areas, including the hallway. A similar idea lies behind the bespoke kitchen, where the brass handles were handmade in Suffolk and tongue-and-groove cabinetry flips back to reveal a coffee machine and other essentials.
But this house is not all about discreet good taste. It was Lulu who decided to install the glossy brass fireman’s pole that glides from the attic to a cushioned crash pad on the first floor. ‘It’s a hit with the girls, but more so with the grown-ups – and especially at Christmas!’