Retro 1950s house in Westgate-On-Sea, Kent
One where you have to see the interior. I really hope the next owner keeps this retro 1950s house in Westgate-On-Sea, Kent, just as it is.
Well, not quite exactly. Everyone wants to put their own spin on things when it comes to a new house. But a lot of work has been undertaken to add in some retro character here, and to see it go in favour of a plain wall and grey carpet would be a crying shame.
The house, as you might have guessed, is an ex-local authority house dating back to the 1950s. From a time when local council builds were quite substantial in size, both inside and out. You would struggle to find a council building social housing of this size in the 21st century.
And you would struggle to find one with the impact of this one. Fairly low-key from the outside (at least, from the front), but once inside, you see what this house is all about.
The 1950s, with more than a touch of glamour thrown in for good measure. Admittedly, not everything will stay. It is unusual for a seller to leave their furniture. But if this does catch your eye, I’m sure a conversation can be had over some of the fixtures and fittings here. As I said, it would be a shame to see it turn back to beige. And I’m sure the seller would want their work to be treasured.
The vintage furnishings are obviously a key feature here. But not the whole story. Check out the retro finishes on the wall, including the unashamedly retro/1950s wallpapers, the flooring, the colours throughout the built-in units, and the wood panelling, for example.
And then there are the 1950s kitchen units, which really lift a rather modest space, and the bathroom, which I would guess is pretty much original. And pink. Very pink.
I know. It might be a bit ‘much’ for some people. But anyone who adds this amount of character into a house in 2023 deserves the plaudits. We live in an era of white and grey. It’s so nice to see colour beyond the front door.
Note also the practicality too. Yes, this is a 1950s house in terms of look. But it’s also a house, not a museum. A modern cooker, TVs on the walls, plenty of storage, everything you would hope for in a family home, including space.
As I hinted above, this is a good-sized, semi-detached house. Enter via the front door, and a hall with a tile floor and an updated staircase leads to a large lounge with a bay window and a wooden floor.
It’s quite the statement, as is the other ground floor room with that bamboo bar and access to the rear garden. The retro kitchen is also on this floor, with every bit as much character as the other rooms.
Head upstairs, and you’ll find three good-sized bedrooms. Again, retro in inspiration, but rolled back a little from the downstairs. As you would expect of rooms for relaxing. Not so the bathroom, which is a vision in pink.
Gardens front and rear, too. The rear garden is enclosed, with a variety of well-established fruit trees and shrubs. A brick-built storage shed finishes things off.
Well, apart from the price. This one is on the market for £330,000.
Images and details courtesy of Miles & Barr. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
