1970s BJ Duffy modern house in Welwyn, Hertfordshire
One of a pair of similar designs that I have spotted previously, with this 1970s BJ Duffy modern house in Welwyn, Hertfordshire now up for sale.
In fact, both went up for sale back in 2015, which is when the seller of this one spotted it on Wowhaus and bought it. Fast forward seven years, and after some updating, the house is back on the market.
Still looking impressive too. Yes, you can update a house and keep the character in place.
The two houses were constructed back in 1974, which might be later than you expect. There’s a strong midcentury modern vibe about the design. According to past information, the architect BJ Duffy moved into one of the houses, with the builder taking up residence in the other. Which, I believe, is this one.
When I featured it in the past, the house looked in need of work. The key features were still in place, but it just looked a little tired as you might expect of a house barely touched in 40 years. But the new owner has added his own stamp on it – and importantly, without taking away the original character. After all, why would you?
The architecture is much as it was back in 1974, with a heavily glazed upper floor being the focal point of the design, with the protruding terrace adding in some ‘wow’ factor.
That’s a big selling point, but the interior really is something special in this one. As I mentioned earlier, keeping the original details is key to maintaining the appeal of a house like this, which has been the case here.
Yes, they were in place before, but everything just looks lighter, brighter and superbly dressed. Never underestimate the power of the ‘right’ furnishings.
The parquet flooring, the angled ceiling and its accompanying beams, all that lovely glazing, the exposed brickwork, the brick fireplace, the period-friendly kitchen, the splashes of colour and that master bedroom with access to its own terrace. All very appealing.
Those original details carry through into the living space beyond the reception, too, despite what looks like a significant programme of updating. This is a very modern house, but with the character of a modern house of days gone by. A nice line to tread.
The outside space is also eye-catching and much-changed since I last saw it too. But I’ll come to that in a moment. First, let’s talk about the space and layout, which might be more than you think.
2,500 square feet as it stands, with planning permission to extend the property by another 430 square feet if you need to (via an extension of the master bedroom and an underground carport). But for most families, you’ll have more than enough space here as it stands.
The property opens onto the central hall, which in turn accesses the ‘sizeable’ kitchen/breakfast room, which is modern but still with a nod to the past.
A double garage is integrated into the ground floor of the property, as well as an ‘expansive’ living/dining area which stretches along the rear of the property with herringbone flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows providing 180-degree views of the updated garden. This really is an amazing space, especially if you work a midcentury modern theme in here.
The balcony at the rear of the property is also accessible from the living area for a touch of outdoor/indoor living.
The top floor is made up of four ‘generously-sized’ bedrooms with plenty of retro character, as well as a family shower room and a galleried landing.
The master suite also has air conditioning, that large balcony just off it, and a fully tiled en-suite bathroom with underfloor heating. Not the other bathrooms have underfloor heating too.
The lower ground floor includes a utility room, a shower room, a newly-installed combi boiler and what’s described as a fifth and sixth bedroom/study with a bi-fold door and views of the garden.
Oh yes, the garden. Often a space ignored; that’s certainly not the case here. You get some newly-fitted decking along with a new bespoke outdoor kitchen. Well-maintained lawn, flowerbeds and shrubbery too. A great space for a party or gathering.
That’s pretty much it. A lovely house and just on the market. If you fancy it, the guide price is £1,000,000.
Images and details courtesy of Bryan Bishop and Partners. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
