Storybook Style

Published on 1 August 2018
Featured by Wilsons

There’s something about St Aubin’s high street, with its cobbled road lined with pastel coloured houses, that makes it feel like something out of a storybook.

As someone who has lived in Jersey all of my life, I couldn’t believe that I had never come across this hidden gem before visiting this property. As I made my way up the quiet side-street on a beautiful summer’s morning, the beaming sun lit up the colours, hanging baskets and granite paving, and it was as if I was looking at a canvas belonging to the Harbour Gallery down the road.

Halfway up the road sits Maison Alexandre. Arguably the most handsome property on the street, it’s granite facade with contrasting white painted windows, lined with beautifully kept flower pots makes it something extremely special to look at. Named after a former constable of St Aubin from the early 19th century, the listed 1805 building radiates character from its exterior and throughout, immersing its visitors in traditional Jersey history from the onset.

Entering via the front door of the property, fitted with a quaint copper bell on the wall, you are welcomed into a wide entrance hall, with two large reception rooms, one either side and the original staircase in front of you. To the left is the room currently being used as the living area – a bright and sizeable room, complete with open fireplace, overlooking the beauty of the high street through its original sash windows. The second, slightly smaller reception room sits on the opposite side of the entrance hall, offering the ideal space for a study, playroom or music room.

This property is no doubt exceptionally suited for a family, with its kitchen comprising the central hub of the house. Light, spacious and with views overlooking the garden, it would be difficult not to fall in love with this room and spend the majority of your time there. The granite wall on one side of the space has been left exposed, perfectly complimenting the cream tiled floor and fitted units. With plenty of space, there are opportunities to create additional seating areas in addition to a family dining table, currently positioned in the centre of the room. I think only a certain type of person would get excited about the concept of a large walk-in pantry, but if you’re like me and you love nothing more than to potter around the kitchen of an afternoon, then this property is for you.

As the vendor led me through to the garden, which can only be accessed via the house, I was surprised to find an additional room outside, which he fondly referred to as ‘the party room’. A granite outbuilding, complete with an exceptional feature fireplace and conservatory roof, makes this area ideal for entertaining, or converting into a second generation living space. The garden itself offers a high degree of privacy with a myriad of mature trees and plants lining the paved area, with little to be heard except the sound of birds.

The first floor of the house provides the space for the home’s impressive large ensuite bedrooms. On the right-hand side sits the master bedroom; beautifully decorated and oozing with charm. A cast iron fireplace with intricate detailing sits at the far end of the room, painted white to complement the colour scheme, offset by copious amounts of natural light that stream in through windows overlooking the high street. Built-in wardrobes do not detract from the space, providing a minimalist yet characterful interior in keeping with the rest of the house. The bedroom ensuite bursts with character, with a huge rose-tinted mirror on the far wall, patterned tiled floor and vintage gold chain flush toilet. Beautifully finished and filled with natural light, it’s the kind of room you would find lifted from the pages of an interior design magazine, and one that I would not want to tamper with. On the other side of the landing, another large bedroom, complete with en suite bathroom, makes an ideal guest room, or extra bedroom.

Another set of stairs lead you to the property’s additional bedrooms located in the loft of the house. Separated by a bathroom found at the top of the landing, two bedrooms sit either side offering the perfect space for guests or children. Old ship beams run across and throughout both rooms, and an original granite feature wall in one of the rooms gives this level of the house a great deal of character. Windows on either side in both rooms offer wonderful views over the garden and high street, allowing for plenty of natural light to fill the space.

I say it quite often when it comes to reviewing property, but the level of charm that this building possesses is not something that can be captured through a photograph. A home that has been so lovingly looked after, there is no doubt in my mind that its future residents will fall in love and continue to enjoy this property for all that it has to offer. Viewing comes highly recommended.

Maison Alexandre, St Aubin’s High Street
£849,000

4 bedrooms
3 bathrooms
Large kitchen/diner
2 reception rooms
Enclosed rear patio
Entertaining room
Rental parking close by

Estate Agent

Wilsons Estate Agents