Whenever I used to leave my old home, I would cycle or drive down Huntingdon Road into town, and on my way I would pass a warm, Tuscan yellow house which would always catch my eye. So when I saw a for sale sign up next to it, I knew I needed to find the property and take an ever-so nosy peek inside thanks to the help of online listings; and it’s fair to say that I wasn’t the least bit disappointed in what I found.
The Front Exterior
The house is owned by John Sutcliffe, a decorative painter who was once the curator of the National Trust, and it’s clear that this home is one of his great masterpieces. The interior is filled with rooms that have had the utmost consideration and care taken over them, with intricate murals, paintings and decoration all over the walls.
The Library
Here we see the library at the rear of the house, the room is furnished with fine antiques, fit for a king; by the window sit two curule stools, an ode to the Ancient Romans. The house almost feels like a time capsule of style, with treats and treasures from every era.
The Sitting Room
The adjoining sitting room to the library is another wild collection of ornaments and artefacts; rugs overlaying other rugs, wall lights situated above table lamps, paintings and room dividers, and just a peek of a ceiling mural, it all really shows a certainty of style and over the top madness that makes this home so magnificent.
The dusty red of the hallway and landing shows off the gold ornate picture frames and the blue and white china hung elegantly on the wall. The graceful chaotic-ness of the hallway makes it feel like a film set, or a grand National Trust property with rope everywhere to stop a priceless plate being knocked and smashed. It’s an extremely brave interior that receives much admiration from me as I hardly go a day without crashing into furniture or accidentally flinging something across a room.
The Hallway
The Landing
The kitchen is full of delicate and charming original features as well as a few modern essentials. Pretty tiles and plates have a inviting effect; as does the fact that it’s wallpapered, which is rare these days. Located in the basement of the home, the low ceiling gives it a cottage feeling rather than a townhouse.
The Kitchen
The Downstairs Loo
This sink area is possibly my favourite part of the house; a wooden surrounding area to the sink, an impractical but beautiful touch, next to the swirly blue and white marbled basin and the Delftware-style tiled splashback, it makes for a gorgeous little corner of the home.
The master bedroom looks like something straight out of World of Interiors; the patterns, frills and embellishments are enough to make an insomniac go mad, but it is as equally elegant as it is excessive, giving it a thoughtfulness and style that either comes together naturally or not at all; replicating something like this and having it look as effortless is almost an impossible mission.
The Master Bedroom
There’s something about this charming home, that’s designed and finished to perfection in its own individual way, that makes it so magnificent. In a row of beautiful but simple homes, this time capsule of extravagance and luxuriousness that has almost no sign of 21st century life. The thought of it being bought and turned into an contemporary, regular home fills me was sadness, and I hope that whoever buys this charming abode keeps it just the way it is, allowing its grandeur to reign forever.
12 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0HH is available to buy from Savills, for more information visit www.savills.co.uk or call 01223 347000.
Oh my Goodness – what a gorgeous time capsule , zapping me back to the Golden Age of decorating , a sort of updated Sir John Soane museum , but very much a home – lovely !!