A RUN-DOWN EDWARDIAN PROPERTY IN NEWCASTLE IS NOW AN OASIS OF CALM FOR EMMIE VINCENT SUTTER AND HER HUSBAND JAMES
Living room
‘The fireplace design is a traditional Victorian bolection shape, cast in modern concrete with incredible texture.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES Custom-made bolection fire surround, Mad Concrete Lady on Instagram, price on request. Farlov three-seater sofa in Tallmyra Dark Grey, £699, Ikea. Tripod side table in White marble and Black iron, £149, La Redoute
THE LAYOUT
The ground floor rooms are all accessed from the entrance hall. On the first floor, over a split level, are three bedrooms and a family bathroom, and a further floor is home to the fourth bedroom.
First-time buyers Emmie and James Sutter had been looking for a renovation project locally that would fit their budget for 18 months. Eventually they found a four-bedroom Edwardian property that they could make their own.
WHAT LED YOU TO THIS PROPERTY?
‘Both James and I are drawn to period properties for their proportions and character, so we had focused our search around our local area. After 50 viewings and several rejected offers we realised the market had boomed beyond our reach, so we broadened our search to other parts of Newcastle. Our patience was finally rewarded when we found this Edwardian property. It was in desperate need of love and attention, but we knew we could create a wonderful home.’
WHAT WORK DID YOU DO?
‘The property had been rented out for years, with outdated décor and many of the original features covered up or missing. The rooms felt dark, and the poor layout meant that a lot of space was wasted. We knocked through the wall between the living and dining room almost straight away, which was a game changer in terms of creating space and light. The kitchen was then reconfigured into a much more practical space with a new utility area and downstairs toilet built at the back. We had the whole house rewired, a new boiler and radiators installed, and upstairs the small bathroom and separate toilet were combined into one. Then slowly and methodically we worked through every room, stripping each one back to its bare bones before replastering and decorating, reinstating period features and fitting new flooring.’
WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE?
‘As an interior designer, I was confident in my design choices and I felt I had a good overview
