A family who bought a Victorian villa have unearthed its rich history while updating the property.
Ceri Bate, 45, husband Rich and their teenage daughter, moved into their historic Southport home in December 2021 after living in Birkdale.
Ceri said: "We viewed a lot of houses - Southport is luckily full of beautiful Victorian properties - but we’re not the kind of people who can live in a full building site for two years, so we chose a house that was looked after and loved, but just needed updating, rather than a full back to brick project."
By May 2022, six months after buying the home, the pair had redecorated seven rooms with help from Sarah Jane’s Painting and Decorating, before taking a break for the summer.
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In the meantime, the family unearthed the property's rich history in the seaside town.
It was built in 1893 by Ernest W Johnson for his family to live in. The prominent Southport architect designed the Preston Bank - now the HSBC - as well as the four adjacent gabled Albany Buildings on Lord Street and the School of Art for the Corporation.
Ceri said: "He was also commissioned to design the memorial stone over the communal grave of those lost in the Eliza Fernley lifeboat disaster in 1886, which still stands proud in the centre of the cemetery on Cemetery Road. My favourite design of his is the Scarisbrick family mausoleum in Crossens, designed in 1900, so whilst Ernest was living at this house."
Ceri and Rich are working hard to bring the property into the 21st century sympathetically amid full-time jobs, as well as juggling a teenager and a puppy.
"These kind of houses are never 'done' - as soon as you think you’ve finished you’re back to the start again," Ceri told the ECHO. "But it’s a merry-go-round we’re very happy to have jumped on, and have no plans to get off anytime soon."
You can follow Ceri and Rich at @southport_victorian_renovation
Big works coming up include a rewire, a full kitchen revamp, repointing and the removal of a seagull's nest from the chimney. However, the biggest renovation 'victory' so far is the couple's daughter's bedroom. "I’d have killed for a space like this when I was her age!" Ceri said.
"From a fairly humble set of interconnecting bedrooms, she now has a 'teenage suite'. Her bedroom has a four poster bed with curtains and fairy lights and her lounge has a homework area, a sewing area and a chill out area."
The master bedroom is Ceri's favourite spot that has benefitted from a facelift. The couple were planning on leaving it until last, but have instead transformed it into a haven. She said: "The addition of the panelling, the deep blue walls and antique wood furniture make me feel like I’m waking up in a luxurious country hotel room every morning."
But the hall, stairs and landing are Ceri's favourite 'untouched' part of the property.
"This space is a big one to renovate so is definitely down the list, but it contains all the best features of the house. The stained glass front door, the stained glass windows, the original Victorian hall fireplace, the coving, the high skirting boards and the ornate staircase, panelling and newel posts - it’s all wow factor for me."
Ceri and Rich are focused on protecting the history of the home through its character. They're planning to retain the stained glass doors and windows, the original porch tiles, fireplaces, butlers bells in the dining room, the staircase, coving and ceiling roses.
However, there have been some obstacles, she continued: "The biggest setback has definitely been the cost of materials and labour. We’ve had to put the brakes on the full kitchen renovation for now as it’s just too costly."
Ceri said her interior inspiration is 'modern antique', she said: "I adore antique wood furniture and have made a few connections with local antiques dealers, but have also had some bargains from charity shops. This house is perfect for antique furniture, but I like to offset that against sympathetic but modern colour schemes and accessories."
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