York Road, Montpelier, Bristol

 readers know that, while we’re drawn to doer-uppers – the romance! The creative control! – there is a lot to be said for 

: less of the stress, certainly, no dust and certainly less drama. Picture the scene: you exchange, complete, pack your bags… Et voilà! You’re in. And where would be nicer than, say, a honey-hued house in Montpelier, one of Bristol’s best neighbourhoods? As it happens, we’ve got just the ticket, now 

Clifton may have cachet, but those familiar with the city will say that Montpelier has its own charm, a bohemian buzz and a strong independent spirit. It’s something we’d say about this house too. While its façade – beautiful Bath stone punctuated by handsome sash windows – doesn’t give much away, inside, there’s a world of fine finishes, good colour choices and architectural details to explore.

Let’s start with the palette, for this place is really all about the walls. For who could fail to be cheered by the zinging yellow of the sitting room, or the bathroom’s bubblegum pink? Elsewhere – in bedrooms, for instance – darker shades of red, blue and brown act as many-hued hugs, warm and enveloping, while cool whites have been used consciously in some of the smaller spaces, maximising the sunshine that comes in from the south.

All this chromatic consideration could be passed off as a distraction tactic, but we urge you to look a little closer, for great care has been taken by the current owners to look after the original features here, from the stripped pine floors and timber shutters to the crisp cornincing that runs around the rooms. There’s even some Anaglypta wallpaper – a neat little nod to the building’s 19

-century heritage. More modern touches make welcome additions too, not least the decked first-floor terrace overlooking the back garden and with views over the city and its harbour, and the

Between the beautiful basement kitchen cast in gentle borrowed light and the cosy attic bedrooms, we’re not sure we’d change a thing. Well, if it ain’t broke…

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