A home to enchant everyone

Nov 8 2007 by Debbie Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

An apartment in Gambier Terrace certainly has the wow factor as Debbie Johnson discovers

GAMBIER Terrace, in Liverpool, has the reputation of being one of the most magical rows of houses in the city.

With former residents including John Lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe, and beautiful views from its perch on Hope Street, the Terrace has enchanted people for a very long time now.

Jan Williams, 38, was certainly always entranced by it.

She says: “I used to live in Wirral, but like most people I knew Gambier Terrace and had seen how gorgeous it was. It was a bit like a fairytale place back then, all mysterious and beautiful. I never ever thought I’d live there, that’s for sure.”

Jan, a self-employed hairdresser, actually got the opportunity to buy her apartment 10 years ago.

She says: “I knew that the building had been renovated and turned into these flats and I went to see one straight away. I knew immediately that I was going to buy it; I just fell in love with it. And it’s never let me down.”

Jan’s third-floor apartment has two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and spacious living area.

The lounge has beech-effect flooring and is painted a plain off-white colour, with chocolate brown blinds and a stunning four-piece Edwardian suite.

Jan says: “I saw the sofa, chairs and the footstool in an antique shop years ago and loved it. I had it all recovered in this tan shade of leather and it’s lasted brilliantly – I suppose they just don’t build them like this any more!”

The vintage style of the suite perfectly suits the flat, with its stunning views over Huskisson Street and the river.

Jan says: “At the moment, some windows are being replaced, but the views are gorgeous. The main view is Huskisson Street, but you can see down to the river as well. There are three windows in the living room which makes it really nice and bright.

"The side window, in particular, has a really deep ledge, it’s more like a seat, so you can sit and watch the world go by. It’s a bit like stepping back in time here – if you angle your eyes right so you don’t notice the cars, you could have been transported to a different age.”

The main bedroom is painted in dramatic shades of cream and damson, with matching mauve voile curtains. Jan says: “The purple on the wall is a really rich kind of damson colour; it is really beautiful with the creams and the whites of the bedding.”

Jan uses the second bedroom as more of a guest room: “There is a bank of modern fitted wardrobes in there, which is fantastic if you have loads of clothes! But it is big enough to be a proper bedroom as well.”

The kitchen is fitted with beech cupboards, an integral oven and hob and plain white wall. The bathroom is also plain white and tiled.

Jan has reluctantly decided to sell her apartment and move up the property ladder. She says: “I have really mixed feelings about it. It has been a fabulous place to live. The building is gorgeous and you feel like you live somewhere really special when you live on Gambier Terrace. The location is perfect as well – right near town, but not in it, just up the road from places like The Quarter and The Phil. It was always a great meeting point for all my mates on a night out – we’d start off here, then work our way in to town!

“But life moves on, and I just feel it is time to move with it.”

* JAN’S apartment is for sale with the Tithebarn Street branch of Sutton Kersh on 0151 236 2332.

* DO YOU have an apartment that you are proud of? Would you like to see it featured in the pages of Style City? If so, then contact us and we will come around. Simply drop Debbie a line at debbiemjohnson@hotmail.com