It's no secret that the north-south divide is alive and well in the property industry, with sprawling Merseyside homes usually costing the same as a bedsit in some areas of London.
That is certainly the case for interior designer Claire, 36, who moved back to north Liverpool from the capital in 2019. In our Where I Live series, the ECHO will explore one house from across the region each week, with the owner giving us an insight into how they've made their house a home.
Claire told the ECHO her home is very close to the beach and is a "lovely place to bring up the children".
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Claire added: "We moved here from a two-bedroom flat in London - which was the same price - and we now have four bedrooms upstairs, a guest room downstairs and a large corner plot with lots of outdoor space.
"Myself and my husband both work from home and there are two office spaces so we can concentrate fully on our work without getting in each other's way."
The house has only ever had one previous owner, a family that lived there for almost 60 years.
Claire said: "They were involved in the design and build in 1964 and we have all the original plans and even some receipts for work completed. A lot of the original built in furniture was here when we moved in, totally solid just not to our taste. Even original 60’s wall panelling in the hallway."
Since moving in Claire and her husband have decorated almost every room, as well as having a new kitchen fitted and installing a new bathroom upstairs.
In 2022 the family embarked on an extension, redeveloping some existing small rooms at the back of the garage and adding another room. The designs were prepared by Southport firm Clayton Architecture.
Claire said: "We used an architect to help make sense of the space and they sorted out all the planning permission and building control - definitely a worthwhile expense. The build itself was relatively straightforward, it took about six months in total.
"That included getting a new roof and some garden landscaping to finish off the project. The utility room is one of the most used spaces in the house now, with two young children the washing machine is on constantly."
While the big job is now out of the way, Claire said redecorating "feels almost constant" and is an occupational hazard. She added: "I always like a change. The master bedroom is next on the list for a full makeover though as it’s not been done properly.
"Like everywhere, we gave it a lick of paint when we moved in but this year we want to take out all the old built in wardrobes, some parts need re-plastering and it also needs new carpets and light fittings."
As an interior designer, Claire said her personal taste is simple. She added: "I like clean lines, black, white and green, with natural textures and rustic details to add interest.
"I love so many different styles, which is why it’s great designing for clients, I just prefer to live with a fairly minimal aesthetic myself. I also think the style of house makes a difference to the type of decoration and style of interior."
Would you like to be included in the ECHO's Where I Live feature?
We'll be taking a look inside a different property each week. If you're splurging on a renovation, trying your hand at DIY to save money, or have a passion for interiors, let us know.
Please email your name and details to storm.newton@reachplc.com
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