Living in Victorian splendour

Apr 12 2007 by Debbie Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

Debbie Johnson meets an art enthusiast in her home

She says: "It was nice when we moved in, although we did hear stories about the whole building being on sale for next to nothing because it was so run-down, but now this area is fantastic. So much regeneration has gone into it, it’s a great place to live.

"We wanted to be near town, but not right in the city centre, and in reality this is only five minutes away. But you are also near to Allerton and places like that, so it’s the best of both worlds."

The second floor apartment is to be found in the Victorian splendour of the Princes Park block – a former grand terrace now refurbished into flats.

She says: "The outside is very grand and beautiful. We fell in love with it as soon as we saw it."

Inside, the period feel continues with spectacular staircases with original balustrades.

One of the main features of Lucy and Andy’s apartment is also the genuine period features. The original wooden floors are a deep brown, setting off the white and neutral shades of the walls.

She says: "The floors are beautiful, and they do tend to dictate the rest of the colour scheme. In the living room, we have brown rugs, cream walls, and a deep burgundy sofa, all of which stays really airy and bright because the flat also has very high ceilings and lovely old sash windows."

There is also a cast-iron feature fireplace in the open plan lounge/dining area which provides something of a centrepiece to the room.