Swiss Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex

A thorough renovation has updated this three-bedroom, 19th-century terraced house in Chelmsford, Essex for easy modern living. Thoughtful recent additions include tactile Bauwerk-washed walls, reclaimed working fireplaces and a sound-insulated studio at the foot of the long south-facing garden. Chelmsford train station is a short walk or cycle away from Swiss Avenue for connections to London in around 35 minutes.

The Tour

Despite its proximity to the city centre, Swiss Avenue is a quiet residential street. The house is set back behind a driveway and a period chequerboard-tiled pathway leading to the front door.

Entry is to a hallway, with the living space on one side. The house's 19th-century character is palpable here, care of a wide tripartite bay window with shutters and a working reclaimed fireplace. Abigail Ahern's 'Madison Grey' washes the walls up to the picture rail, and there are shelves set in the alcoves on either side of the chimney breast. Sanded and buffed original floorboards ground here and continue throughout much of the plan.

The kitchen/dining room lies behind the living room, with beautiful Bauwerk lime-washed walls and smart Schüller units. A quartz worktop provides plenty of preparation space and there is a deep sink with brushed stainless steel fittings set beneath a Crittall-style window. Appliances have been seamlessly integrated and are from NEFF. Adjacent is a spacious pantry with shelves for herbs, spices and other dried goods.

On the other side of the room is a log-burning fire, along with plenty of space for a large dining table and chairs. Crittal-style double doors open to a decked section of the garden that sits level with the kitchen - an ideal configuration for summertime hosting.

Treads of the same refinished pine wood ascend to the first floor, surrounded by walls painted in Farrow & Ball's 'Blue Ground'. The main bedroom is at the rear of the upper level, well-lit by a shuttered, garden-facing window. 'Pitch Black' walls here offset white-washed floorboards, creating a striking and compelling contrast.

The remaining two bedrooms are at the front. One is currently used as a painting studio, its northerly light filling the room with a soothing glow.

All three bedrooms share a posy pink-painted bathroom, with fittings from Burlington. A large roll-top clawfoot bath sits to one side, surrounded by Fired Earth tiles and with a large antique-style rain shower above. There is plenty of storage space in a quartz-topped cupboard. Playful patterned floor tiles spread out underfoot.

The attic - currently used as a gym space - is accessed from the landing via a pull-down ladder.

Outdoor Space

A generous and south-facing garden unfolds from behind the house. It teems with plants and is home to a host of trees that include productive apple, fig, eucalyptus and elderberry. There is a decked area that abuts the house, with plenty of room for an outdoor dining set-up and/or a barbecue.

A sound-insulated, cedar-clad garden studio sits at the end of the garden. Nestled among the trees, it is a peaceful spot ripe for use as a yoga studio, study or reading nook.

The Area

Located to the north-east of London, Chelmsford lies around 25 minutes' drive from the coast. It has a number of architecturally impressive buildings including its Gothic cathedral, which was built during the 13th and 16th centuries and retains impressive stained-glass windows.

There are some well-regarded restaurants in the town centre, including Moto Pizza, Fête, Taste of Italy and Pig and Whistle. Galvin Green Street is a Bib Gourmand-recognised restaurant around a 15-minute drive north of the house, with atmospheric village inn The Windmill a similar distance away.

The city's high street has both familiar and convenient outposts of major chains, alongside brilliant independents like Number Six Design. There is a branch of Foyles, along with a Marks and Spencer and John Lewis. Taking place every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, the High Street Market has stalls from a range of provisors that sell everything from freshly caught fish to delicious street food.

Chelmsford's beautiful Central Park first opened to the public in 1894; today, it presents over 35 acres of parkland loved by runners and dog-walkers alike. The River Can runs through its grounds, and there are colourful flowerbeds, cycle paths, tennis courts, a model railway and children's play areas. Grade II*-listed Hylands Park is also nearby and has 574 acres of parkland, along with a café and second-hand bookshop. For coastal adventures, the arresting, National Trust-managed Northey Island is a 25-minute drive away.

The city is known for its excellent state-run schooling options, including King Edward VI Grammar School and Chelmsford County High School for Girls.

Rail connections from Chelmsford station, a 14-minute walk or a four-minute cycle from Swiss Avenue, arrive at London Liverpool Street in approximately 35 minutes. The A12 and A414 are within easy reach for road connections to the capital and beyond. Stansted and Southend Airport's are both around a half-hour's drive away.

Council Tax Band: C