Exterior Views

The first floor window looks out from the master bedroom and features a window box for planting annual colour. Most helpfully for commuters, it's close enough to spy on activity at the train station, but far enough away to not be bothered by train noise.

The large bay window looking out from the kitchen is one of the cottage's character features.

The trees at the end of the road grace the park beside the River Thames. The view across it is into Windsor Home Park and the Castle. Miles of pleasant riverside paths spread out from here.

The Floorplan

Once a traditional two-up-two-down terraced cottage, a major renovation in the '80s moved the kitchen to the front of the house and doubled the size of the back room, which opens onto a walled garden. This makes for a large, gracious entertaining space in mild weather. The renovation made more space by installing a wood-panelled spiral staircase, brightened by a large, gothic-arched mirror. This innovation made room for a utility room and toilet on the ground floor, an unusual convenience in a cottage of this size.

Upstairs are two bedrooms and a bathroom.

Front, Hall and Kitchen

The cottage's front door opens into a long hall which leads to the sitting room. Off of it are the kitchen, an under-stair closet and the utility room/downstairs loo. Since the picture below was taken, the floor has been replaced by hard-wearing American cherrywood. (Part of an upgrade of the heating system in 2005.)

The kitchen's generous size (combined with the large space created by the flow of dining room, sitting room and garden) is great for anyone who loves entertaining. There's loads of storage space and enough counter space for several busy chefs to work together. Since this picture was taken, the backspash has been replaced (2009) with top quality sand-coloured, stone-effect tiles.

The kitchen walls have returned to a neutral magnolia. Two elements of the current owner's previous Italian theme remain, though they can be easily be painted over. Above the window, a stencilled script reads "mangi bene, ridi spesso, ama molto". (Eat well, laugh lots, love much) On the wall against the hall is a mural by American artist Joanlee Ferrara. To see more of the artist's work, visit http://joanleewatercolor.com

Note the lattice work above the mural; this element, plus the archway, allow the sunlight flooding in the front window to brighten the hall.

Combined Sitting and Dining Room

The combined sitting and dining room is a long, flexible space that can be quickly re-arranged for intimate nights at home, big parties or anything in between. There's a fireplace surrounded by Victorian tiles and a wooden mantle. Light comes not just from the French doors leading into the garden, but from a large skylight above the dining area. The lack of side windows increases the sense of privacy.
Below, a view of how the dining area can expand into the room, easily accommodating eight or twelve. This is also a better shot of the fireplace. It holds a synthetic coal fire which kicks out enough heat to make the whole room quite toasty without much help from the central heating
Below, the doors open to show off how the living space can be extended into the garden.

The Garden

The walled garden is a great space for entertaining or quiet relaxation. The walls, cascaded over on two sides by Boston Ivy that turns a magnificent red in the autumn, and on the third side by purple spikes of butterfly bush all summer, are high enough to prevent any neighbours from seeing in. From here you can see all of the major carpentry work just after completion in 2009: a custom-fitted storage shed, a sun deck and a decking around the small pond.

There are two brick faced brick beds that have been much enriched with organic material over the past five years.

The sun deck, above, is large enough for a cafe table for two, or a nice lounge chair. It catches morning sun, and has lantern brackets above for evening light. The bubbler fountain at the end of the garden helps to distract from outside noises. The garden is fitted with two outdoor power sockets half way down the left wall for the fountain, lighting and garden machinery.
Below, a view of the shed just after construction. The ivy has now grown back to form a natural roof and the walls have been painted a weatherproof light green from Farrow and Ball's Country House collection. Inside, the right door opens into a mix of shelves and open space, while the area behind the left door is completely open. Plenty of room for bicycles, outdoor furniture and other temperature-resistant stuff.

Upstairs

The front, double bedroom looks out over the high street. It's best feature is a wall full of built in wardrobes. (Picture to come.) These include hanging racks and built in shelves and provide very generous storage space.

The second bedroom is a single but, as shown here, has enough room for a desk and other furniture as well. This was used as an office by the current owner and has a separate phone line, if needed. Solid oak flooring was laid here in late 2011.

The bathroom (photo to come) has a bath with shower. A built-in medicine cabinet provides plenty of storage. The walls are wooden panelling, painted white. A new floor was laid here in late 2011; small, square tiles in various shades of blue and white. The current toilet seat, shower curtain and accent tiles in the shower match this scheme.