This former antiques shop in Wiltshire offers a colorful contrast with its early 18th-century walls.
Officially known as Albion House, the six-bedroom house is thought to have been built between 1720 and 1740. It was used as the village post office for most of the 20th century before being used as an antiques store.
Decorative artist and designer Adam Culkin purchased land in the picturesque village of Atworth 30 years ago. What used to be a blank canvas with no bathroom or kitchen has been transformed into a treasure trove of vintage items.
Spread over three floors, the home bears Adam’s signature signature of fanciful and whimsical designs. “Essentially every room was a showroom. A lot of the walls were exposed cut stone,” Adam told the Times. “We first made it livable and decorated each room.”
Features include a formal entry hall with Chinese characters painted on the staircase (inspired by our takeout menu), original fireplace, flagstone flooring, exposed stone walls, Capietra Ceramic Black Star tile in the kitchen, and concealed toilets. Includes antique wooden chairs. 1 bathroom (bottom).
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The ground floor consists of four reception rooms, a colorful kitchen/diner, a distinctive living room with French doors opening onto the garden, a cozy and inviting space, and a large office perfect for remote workers . Regarding the design, Adam says, “There is no theme.” Every room was an opportunity to achieve a different kind of style. ”
The bedrooms on the first and second floors are a real highlight. Our particular favorite is the hidden bedroom (accessed through a wardrobe-like door), which features a mural of seagulls flying through a cloudy sky on the exposed beams. “It was inspired by The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” says Adam.
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There are a further five bedrooms, each with its own charm, family bathroom and large landing. Each bedroom has wooden floors, adding to the rustic charm of the property.
“Apart from (my) decorative touches, Albion House is comprised of several different (architectural) styles. It’s a former barn so the landings and common areas are spacious. There’s storage space on the ground floor. It has a big door and a pitched roof in the master bedroom, and we put in some French doors and portholes,” says Adam.
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Albion House has been featured in magazines and design books over the years, including The English Eccentric by Ross Byam Shaw.
Francesca Leighton-Scott, Partner and Head of Country Sales at Knight Frank, said: “Albion House, the first to appear on the market in almost 30 years, is thought to have been built between 1720 and 2019. “It’s a beautiful and unique family home.” As such, it oozes personality throughout, but benefits from not being listed.
The property is on the market with Knight Frank for £895,000.
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