An unusual layout of rooms meant this house was neglected – until now

When Alison Coldridge and her husband Simone saw this old gatehouse near Winchester, Hampshire, they were immediately drawn to its fairytale appeal. “The exterior, with its white wooden windows and scalloped tiles, reminded me of a gingerbread house,” says Alison.

Built in the mid-1800s, the property features a charming brick and flint construction with a gabled roof and period arched window detailing. An intriguing layout of the ground floor rooms means that each leads directly into the next – a fact that has put off some potential buyers, but which Alison recognised as the perfect setup for juggling the demands of family life, with a young child and new baby sister in tow.

“With no steps downstairs, we can watch our daughters play in the living room while we cook,” she explains. “Plus, this property was overlooked by many other house hunters, so we were able to get it at a great price!”

The entrance hall leads you into the living room, then to the kitchen and finally to the extension, where double doors open onto the wraparound patio garden.

“It works perfectly for us,” Alison says. “As one room opens onto another downstairs, it’s ideal for entertaining.”

The family is fortunate to have a wraparound patio garden that provides plenty of entertaining space during the summer months.

“Adults gather in the kitchen to chat over drinks, while children run from room to room and, in the summer months, spill into the garden through the patio doors of the ‘extension. »

Entrance hall

Each room is also connected by decoration, starting with the hall. Soft hues, natural textures and pops of pattern are interspersed with vintage pieces.

Most striking is the hallway floor, where stripped pine boards have been painstakingly crafted into a checkerboard pattern, using white floor paint, several rolls of masking tape, and hours of Simone’s work.

Warm and welcoming, the generously sized entrance hall has lovely period details, including an original fireplace. The bold floor design cleverly anchors the space and beautifully offsets the natural tones of Alison’s wall color, ceramic pots and basket collection. Dried hydrangeas, framed pressed flower prints and a floral pillow add a sweet note.

Living room

The couple’s love of travel shines through in the interiors, which evoke the bazaars of Marrakech and beyond. “My decorating tastes are influenced by Morocco and the Middle East,” says Alison. “This is where my Italian husband spent his childhood and I lived with him for a few years after university. »

The show features exhibitions of art, ceramics and books, collected over the years during trips abroad, as well as vintage fairs and yard sales. A windowsill ceramic display in rich, earthy terracotta creates a striking visual statement against the pale, warm tones of the wall color. Vintage artists’ paint palettes are also on display, as a charming nod to Alison’s love of art.

“One brilliant piece of advice my artist mother-in-law gave me was to keep the walls white or neutral and let your furniture, rugs, books and artwork do the talking,” smiles Alison.

Expansion of the living room

Bright and with direct access to the garden, the extension offers a relaxing place for family life, particularly during the summer months. Alison opted for a large comfortable sectional sofa furnished in a rich spicy hue with cushions and accent pieces adding pattern and interest.

The living room has a relaxed bohemian style, with an occasional wicker chair, ottoman and weathered vintage cupboard adding to the ambiance.

Kitchen

Red bricks and copper stoves introduce warm tones into the kitchen, while a stove adds a country feel and is extremely practical.

Earthenware and terracotta bowls and jugs are abundant, used for storing vegetables and also for displaying flowers.

Alison also created a charming display of antique embroidered textiles hanging from a wooden wall bracket.

Master bedroom

A Victorian-style iron bed base, simple striped bed linen and a patchwork quilt add a wholesome vintage touch to the bedroom, offset by a sleek armoire and pretty floral bedside lamp.

Guest room

An antique wardrobe painted with floral designs and an elegant four-poster bed add simple sophistication, accentuated by the pale pink wall color.

Girl’s room

Antique twin beds, floral bedding and a touch of vintage toys create an adorable child’s bedroom.

Bathroom

Generously sized, the family bathroom exudes period charm. A freestanding roll-top tub takes center stage, alongside vintage cabinets and decorative framed flower paintings.