Gill, whose husband passed away two years ago, purchased the first-floor duplex in a mansion last year with the intention of modernising it.
Gill specifically wanted a flat on a first floor for security, with a balcony for views and a lift to help mobility.
The duplex in the chi-chi Cheshire suburb of Hale fitted the bill.
The mansion block was a heavily extended house that was converted in the 1980s and so the internals and flat layout was very outdated.
The main floor had a small kitchen diner and a large separate lounge with incredible views.
The main bathroom was Jack and Jill ensuite, that was used by both guests and the master bath and doubled up as a laundry drying room.
The upper level, in the eaves was a single convoluted space with room in rooms.
Gill approached Pride Road Architects to help reconfigure her space.
In the new design, the kitchen was split into a utility room and the rest was opened up into the lounge, creating a gorgeous open plan kitchen living dinning space, in powder blue with feature island, American fridge freezer and incredible views. A media wall in the lounge area created a cosy focus.
The large bathroom was reconfigured to create a private ensuite and separate guest toilet.
Upstairs, the in manageable space was split into 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms to maximise future value.
Working in a flat block can be tricky, moving plumbing and knocking walls down, with many neighbours and getting the correct structural Building Regulations and Party Wall advice is imperative. Pride Road also got the help of interior designer Kate Cole to maximise the wow factor!
Gill and Lisa from Pride Road Architects worked with Penny Egan from Byles Of Bramhall to create a stunning pale blue open plan kitchen. Featuring larder units, an island with hob and down draft extractor, larder units and American fringe freezer. Gill choose the colour to exactly match her pale blue jumper (and no, there is not a Manchester City affiliation here!)
Inspired by Barbie, Gill chose blush pink tiles for her bathroom with freestanding bath and Japanese toilet, the white metro tiles were grouted with pink too!
Elsewhere, the floors were a herringbone LVT with border in pale oak, the doors were painted white with chrome ironmongery.
The stairs were carpeted in the stunning Margo Selby by Alternative Flooring.
Interiors by Kate Cole https://www.coleandfox.com/
Kitchen by Penny Egan https://byle.co.uk/
We encountered challenges with the party wall agreement, but the Pride Road team efficiently navigated through them. My favorite aspects of the apartment include the beautifully designed kitchen and living room, which are bathed in natural light. Additionally, I have love my en-suite bathroom and Japanese toilet!
Gillian
