Interiors: Peace and quiet in the historic heart

Apr 10 2008 by Debbie Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

Debbie Johnson  meets the couple  who love their retreat  above the hustle and  bustle of the city

WITH two businesses to  run and a wedding on  the horizon, Owen  Cotterell and fiancee  Kate Gorst lead  extremely hectic lives.

But the two of them say they live in  the perfect retreat from the stresses of  modern life - the top-floor flat in a  beautiful Georgian building on  historic Falkner Square.

The couple have lived together there  for a few years, and enjoy the serenity  and calm that being up in the rooftops  of one of the city's most sought-after  locations brings them.

Owen runs film and video  production firm Mocha  (www.mocha.tv), which works with  commercial and corporate clients such  as Everton FC, IBM and the North  West Development Agency, and has its  offices in equally historic Rodney  Street.

Owen says: "The walk to work is  unbelievable. I go from Falkner  Square, which is amazing, and walk  through Canning Street and places  like that to get to the office, which is in  a listed Georgian building - it doesn't  get much better, really."

Kate also runs her own business - a  drama company called Altru  (www.altru.co.uk), that tackles issues  such as bullying, the environment and  anti-social behaviour in schools,  through performances and workshops.

"We are both stupidly busy all the  time" says Owen, "and we are getting  married in June, so things are  particularly hectic at the moment. We  both see coming back here as a  sanctuary. Because you are in the top  floor apartment, you feel quite  secluded, there is nobody above you,  and it is very quiet, peaceful and  secure."

The other big plus of the two- bedroomed flat is its prime location on  the Square, and its park. Owen says:  "Having this beautiful green space in  front of you is wonderful. There is a  real community spirit here, especially  during the summer, everybody comes  out and it is really sociable. I have my  birthday in August so I always get my  friends round and we have a bit of a  party out there."

The lounge of Owen and Kate's home  overlooks the treetops and the Square,  through a large sash window.

The  room has gracious high ceilings, and a  decor that is kept clean and simple  with whites, creams and a deeper  brown accent wall.

There is a large  cream sofa for the couple to relax on,  books, CDs, and a guitar, which Owen  says he plays "very badly".

Unlike many refurbished  apartments, it also comes with a  separate kitchen, fitted with beech- coloured units and dark work surfaces.

The spare bedroom is used as a  study/guest room, with a futon bed in  there, but usually comes in handy for  when either of them needs to work  late.

The flat's main bedroom is spacious,  and full of character. It is tucked away  right up in the roof space of the house,  which gives it interesting angles and  lines, as well as a large dormer  window, which offers gorgeous views  down of the park and the square. 

Again the room is in neutral tones,  with a wrought iron bedstead and an  uncluttered feel. The far end is used as  an ad-hoc dressing area.

However, the couple have decided to  put the apartment on the market as  they are getting married. Owen says:  "I really love this place, I always have.  You would never imagine that for the  convenience of being so close to town,  you could live somewhere so quiet and  beautiful.

"But we are getting married, and  this was my home before I met Kate, so  the time is right to buy our first  marital home together.

"I think that when it does sell,  though, part of me will be a bit gutted  - I will really miss being here."

FOR more information on the  apartment, which is on the market for  £199,500, call the Halifax in Allerton on  0151 734 4911.