Home restored to former glory

Gary and Ann Davidson’s home in Berwick Road, Shrewsbury is a perfect example of a house brought back to its former glory.

A stunning detached Victorian property, set in one of the most sought after areas of the town, it had been converted into flats when the couple bought it four years ago.

Within just four months they had successfully reverted it back to the gentleman’s residence it originally was.

The work included replacing three flat kitchens with one beautiful kitchen diner, replacing the bathroom suites, the conservatory and some windows, installing a new reproduction fireplace in the sitting room. They also had the central heating cleaned out, widened the front parking area, landscaping both the front and back garden and decorated throughout.

The refurbishment has been done very much in good taste, with the walls painted in shades from Dulux’s Victorian range.

The home is now shown at its very best. This helps make the most of the original features which have been in place since 1860, when the house was built. These include ceiling roses and dado rails, Victorian floor tiles, sash windows, original fireplaces and a stained glass window in the front door.

The Davidsons had done a barn conversion from scratch before moving to Berwick Road and so this could account for their success in getting all the improvements done in such a short space of time.

As they now wish to downsize from their five bedroomed home, they have put 72 Berwick Road up for sale through Holland Broadbridge of Shrewsbury for around £595,000. (Details correct at time of publication - November 2006)

The position of this property is another advantage for the next owner. It overlooks the West Midlands Showground and, although very much in a countryside setting, is only a ten minute walk from town.

Number 72 Berwick Road’s accommodation is over three floors (plus a cellar). It has a storm porch, spacious reception hallway, cloakroom, sitting room, dining room, impressive spacious refitted kitchen/diner, utility, cellar, impressive sun room/conservatory, five bedrooms, refitted shower room and principal bathroom. There are two parking spaces at the front of the property.

The front door opens to the long and stunning entrance hall. Leading up from the right hand side of the hall is its first flight of stairs. A door under the stairs leads down to the cellar.

From the front of the hall, a door to the left opens to the beautiful sitting room. This room has a smart reproduction Victorian style fireplace and front windows giving views across the showground and the town beyond. Behind the sitting room is the red dining room. A door to the left off the hall opens to this space and French doors open from it to the rear garden.

Right at the end of the entrance hall is the impressive kitchen/dining room with the utility room behind.Off the first floor is bedroom one with a period fireplace and exposed wooden flooring, coving, a picture rail and sash window overlooking the rear garden. On this floor is also the refitted shower room with two wash basins and a luxury shower cubicle.

The sun room/conservatory lies at the rear of the property, overlooking the garden and has French doors opening out to it.

Bedroom two again has exposed wooden flooring and a fireplace with a marble style hearth, picture rail, dado rail and views across the showground. Bedroom five again has exposed wooden flooring, a coved ceiling and front views. A second staircase leads to the second floor landing. The Davidsons use this floor as the guest suite.

Here is bedroom three with wooden flooring and sash rear window and wash basin, bedroom four with wooden flooring and front views and the principal bathroom.

This has a suite including a bath with shower attachment, exposed wooden flooring and views across the showground through sash windows.

Gary is a solicitor who runs Clarkes’ personal injury department. Ann works for competitors Lanyon Bowdler as a legal clerk in its family department. Both share an obvious passion and enthusiasm for interiors.

Gary said: “I wanted this house as soon as we came through the front door. It was tired but the previous owners had done the boilers and the owner before them was a builder.”

Gary and Ann are enthusiastic about their home’s top position. Gary said: “It is a town house but not in the centre. It is quiet, it feels like you are in the country, yet it is just a ten minute walk to the town centre and a ten minute drive to Tescos and Morrisons and just 25 minutes drive to Telford.”

The Davidson’s home is immaculate and what aspirational living is all about. Gary said: “We’d like to think that the new owners could just say “where do I put my furniture?”.

• Further details are available from Holland Broadbridge of Shrewsbury on 01743 357000.
• Details correct at time of publication - November 2006

By Cathy Stanworth