The Househunter: Room by Room

Well I can’t say; hasn’t the weather has been lovely so let’s head out of town, but let’s go anyway. To Chichester, in West Sussex, to see this extraordinary house which was built in 1980 and is one of very few 20th century properties to be given a Grade II* listing by Historic England.

This is the first time it has been on the market and it is for sale via The Modern House which has valued it at £1,395,000. It was designed by the architect Walter Greaves as a family home in 1980.

Set down a quiet lane, the five bedroom house has a small river winding through the three acre site as well as a tennis court in the grounds. The building was created in the garden of Greaves’ former house and the project was conceived over a number of years. He began his career working with Peter Moro on the London Festival Hall before moving on to specialise in private homes.

The wood-clad exterior is soft and curved and fits into the landscape and the inside, also clad in wood, echoes those curves and natural materials.

Greaves did not only design the building (and his wife Annabel the garden) but also much of the built-in furniture including window seats, shelving, cupboards and the open cantilevered staircase.

There is much about this house which shouldn’t appeal to me as it’s quite different from my usual taste but I find I am drawn to the organic shapes and the picture windows all of which frame the views outside. I think I might add it to my list of weekend retreats. Anyone else?

Now let’s head north – to Chester to see this shop and three bedroom apartment which is on with Strutt & Parker for £595,000. It’s also Grade II listed and is as three storey mews house off the historic Rows in the city.

This is less of a listing as the house above has the all-important * but it’s packed full of original features including fireplaces and windows and has wonderfully high ceilings.

The living space light and airy with half panelled walls and a roof terrace as well as parking for two vehicles. The question is what to sell in the shop.

I love that they have used the wallpaper on all four walls but if you are nervous about that then sticking it over, or under panelling is a good way to lessen the effect – especially if you have chosen a strong design. You don’t have to have panelling either. Most period houses will take a dado rail and you can simply paint below and paper above.

I am also drawn to the monocrhome calm of this bedroom as well. After years without curtains, suddenly I’m looking at these wondering if curtains are about to make a comeback in keeping with the new mood of luxe that is filtering through into interiors.

So there we have it – two listed buildings, one modern one ancient, one north one south. Who’s buying what this week?