NOMADS STUDIO

THE MANY VARIETIES OF HOUSES IN CHORLTON

I have lived in Chorlton for 3 years, and in that time, I have spotted some absolutely beautiful homes just walking around doing chores. Some of the most impressive Edwardian homes in Manchester are on Wilbraham Road. Most have been split up into multiple apartments, but the occasional one is still a family home, a very impressive one at that. Edwardian houses are recognisable for their scale, which is larger than a Victorian home. They usually have some sort of mock Tudor detail at the top of the house. The windows are usually quite uniform and split into small sections towards the bottom of the window.

The scale of these homes is huge, and whether they are flats or a single home, a designer can help to create a home of those large proportions. Ceiling heights are tall in Edwardian homes, and the scale can feel overwhelming. I'm a big believer in the power of paint to bring the height of a space down and to create a room that feels in-reach and cosy, despite its size. 

But Chorlton isn't just full of Edwardian homes; there's a big variety of homes. Chorltonville is a protected area towards the south. The houses are beautifully preserved and built in the style of the Arts and Crafts movement. I'm a huge fan of Arts and Crafts homes. They are made with love and feature details that are timeless, a moment in time to be preserved. The proportions of the homes are much smaller than the Edwardian buildings, and any interior concept needs to take into account the period details.

Victorian houses, which are ubiquitous across South Manchester, are in abundance in Chorlton, particularly around Ivy Green and Beech Road. These houses are well-sized for a family which a there are many due to the local schools and the beautiful nature which is close by. 

HOW CAN A DESIGNER HELP BRING YOUR NEW HOUSE TOGETHER?

Moving to a new area and having a whole house to furnish can be as confusing as knowing where to begin with a house you've lived in for decades. Bringing it all together is overwhelming, not to mention all of the information coming through social media constantly. Making decisions on your style and the type of feeling you want is a huge task when you are spending a good chunk of savings on redecorating. At Nomads Studio, we want to help people create a home at their own pace. A big renovation of the whole house is not a task that many are willing to take on, and might want to go room by room. We can work with you on this and create a stage-by-stage re-design at a slower pace. This also helps people to live in the space and fall in love with the new room. 

The position of your house is obviously key to a lot of house-buying decisions, along with location. Manchester weather can be dull at the best of times, and that south-facing garden is desirable. The light makes a huge difference to the feeling of the room and the colour of the paint chosen. We do offer colour consultations and will make sure that the colours explored work well from morning to evening. 

As we can also help with sourcing furniture, working on a house room by room can allow more time to find those special pieces, pieces that could need a refresh or fresh upholstery. We're passionate about sustainability, and scouring the internet and markets for finds is what we can take off your hands. We're lucky in Chorlton to have the wonderful shop Department on Barlow Moor Road. It's full of the most gorgeous reclaimed pieces.

THE BENEFIT OF WORKING LOCALLY

Living locally means that we can help and react quickly to any issues that crop up on the project and visit the site when needed. We work flexibly with clients and create a way of working that suits everybody. Our services are designed ot make the process run smoothly. Chorlton is a lovely part of Manchester, and families have settled in the area for many years, building roots locally as they grow. Your house should be somewhere that speaks to who you are and showcases the things you love. Home should be a love letter to yourself and tell your story. Fill it with memories, and we'll help to do that. 

Filling a home can feel overwhelming, as mentioned, but to create a space with soul, personal items need to exist in the space. A new band kitchen, combined with found picture frames and crafted ceramics, can make a world of difference and make it feel less like a show home.

If you have just moved to the area and are looking to create a home, please do get in touch. Hina and I are a friendly down to earth bunch, and offer a free consultation with no pressure.

Thanks for reading, Jane.