The Story
Chatting together in the beautiful, hand-built kitchen at the heart of Walcot, a magnificent six-bedroom Arts and Crafts home, the owners admit this is where they enjoy spending most of their time.
The house has an imposing and very impressive exterior yet inside it offers a careful combination of contemporary style and modern day comfort.
"I don't know why, but we always seem to congregate in the kitchen," said the owner. "It is a spacious room with a table that seats up to 10 people and we have a large 52 inch, flat screen television on the wall in there.
"This is a wonderful room and whenever we have the family over for dinner, it is where we like to eat."
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Sympathetic Restoration
The house, which is listed, is situated in a conservation area in one of the most prestigious residential areas in Bromley. It has been lovingly and sympathetically restored by the current owners who purchased it eight years ago.
"I often used to drive along Woodlands Road and I always liked the look of the house. I had always wanted a home from the Arts and Crafts period, so when we were looking to move and discovered Walcot was up for sale, I was very keen to buy it," said the owner.
At that time, however, the back of the original house had been made into a separate home but the owner of this property agreed to sell too and the two sections were brought back together.
"We made Walcot liveable first by decorating throughout half of the property. I wanted to create a house that had all of its original features on show, but also provided luxury amenities for a more modern way of life."
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Magnificent Features
French polishers were called in to clean and restore all of the original oak flooring on the ground floor.
"The flooring in the hallway is truly magnificent," he said. "But much of it could no longer be seen when we moved in."
The billiards room, with all of its original oak wall panelling is mentioned in the property's listing as one of the finest examples of such a room in the whole of Bromley.
"We have enjoyed the billiards room a lot for formal entertaining," explained the owner. "We had a large dining table in there which could seat 24 people and if we were hosting business clients or parties of more than eight we always used that room."
Two other main reception rooms include the drawing room, which the family tend to use later in the evening for watching television and another sitting room, which is peaceful and perfect for reading in.
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Original Home
Other works carried out by the owners include building an extension as a guest wing. This has been perfect for giving visitors their own space.
It has taken the owners all the time they have been living in the property to create the home they have now, but they have decided it is time to move on.
They are currently looking to buy a property in the country near Tunbridge Wells.
"Now that my two elder children have left home and the youngest is not too far behind them, we feel it is time for a change," said the owner. "But this has been a superb home and we have really loved living here.
"I think the thing I love most about Walcot is the originality of its Arts and Crafts styling and just the way its design flows so nicely."
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Setting the Scene
Walcot is set well back from the road with a sweeping drive to access the house. The grounds to the sides have been landscaped and there is a lengthy garden that houses a myriad of unusual plants and shrubs. To the rear the secluded terrace incorporates borders that add a wonderful splash of colour in the spring and summer.
"We have spent time revamping the gardens, but I get the feeling someone with some clever ideas originally designed it. The lawn is in pristine condition as I am quite keen on keeping lawns well maintained," said the owner.
The wonderful garden provides a great outdoor space for entertaining, while adjacent to the swimming pool complex there is a covered gazebo, ideal for barbeques and social gatherings.
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PERIOD
"I had always wanted a home from the Arts and Crafts period."
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FLOW
"I think the thing I love most about Walcot is the originality of its Arts and Crafts styling and just the way its design flows so nicely."
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COMFORT
"I wanted to create a house that had all of its original features on show, but also provided luxury amenities for a more modern way of life."
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SWIMMING POOL
"Wonderful for both entertaining and family time, this has been greatly enjoyed over the years."
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