Posted:15th January 2022
Much in Little
House Styling - Staging the Home of 'the Queen's favourite'.
Thank you for visiting The Home Styling Company House Styling blog. As followers of our blog will know, we love a House Styling challenge and we also love a quirky and unusual staging commission. Partnering with the developer and a local estate agent, we spent a rewarding couple of days transforming a beautiful but empty property. We created a desirable, charismatic home which appealed to viewers and proves once again the awesome power of home staging.
A Home Packed with History.
Number 29, Melton Road in Oakham is not only the second oldest property in the town but this seventeenth century, Grade II listed cottage is certainly the most famous building in the region. It carries with it a story of royalty, celebrity and extraordinary adventure. The Home Styling Company were thrilled to accept a commission to stage this recently renovated and refurbished Hudson's Cottage. It was for sale through local agents, Osprey Property.
As the blue plaque by the front door announces, the 2/3 bedroomed cottage was the birthplace of Jeffrey Hudson in 1619. Standing at only 18 inches tall Jeffrey was one of the wonders of the age and throughout his life gamely took advantage of his unusual condition. He became the favourite court companion of the English queen, Henrietta Maria of France. There were also pirates and a fatal duel involved… but that’s another story.
The current owner has spared no expense in reimagining Jeffrey’s cottage, creating a unique and contemporary home which stays respectful to the centuries of history contained within. Benefiting from an immaculate thatched roof to the beautifully laid stone floors. Viewers were astounded at just how flexible and attractive this space had become. The ground floor had plenty of room for seating with smart panelling combined with characterful brickwork, oak interior doors and a wealth of interesting nooks and alcoves. It was perfect for showcasing favourite accessories or lamps. Walls and woodwork were painted in a range of muted tones from the same palette to suit all tastes and to work brilliantly as a back drop to carefully chosen furnishings and artwork…. which is where we came in.
Video Tour of Hudson's Cottage in Oakham, Rutland.
Add a Little Staging Magic.
The magic of home staging to sell a property is all about showing potential buyers just how much they would enjoy living there. Hudson’s Cottage had all the glorious potential to wow buyers but before we arrived, it was empty and bare. As with every staging commission, we carefully assessed the space. We created a bespoke plan and curated an interior to showcase the cottage at its beautiful best.
The gorgeous Shaker style fitted kitchen was dressed with dining furniture to show how easily 8 or more guests could dine there. The living spaces were brought to life with stylish, contemporary furniture, art and soft furnishings making them not only feel larger than before but cosy, bright and welcoming.
Upstairs, the stunning bedrooms were simply styled with classically luxurious beds, linen and lamps allowing their elegance to take centre stage. Likewise, the family bathroom and downstairs shower room with their understated white suites and clean lines needed just the right accessories to show them off. (How gorgeous is that roll top bath?).
House Styling - It's all in the details.
This cottage is full of surprises and perhaps the biggest of all is the spacious, newly landscaped garden which we showed could easily be used for al fresco dining. Coffee in the morning sunshine anyone? Or maybe a glass of wine and supper after work on the patio which looks out over the nicely screened lawn.
We had a ball staging Hudson’s Cottage. The perfect alliance between heritage and home, we enjoyed every minute of our partnership with the developer and Osprey Property who couldn't wait to help the new owner strike a deal.
Denise
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