Merchant House, Charlbury - sleeps 12 guests in 6 bedrooms
About
Ground Floor Sitting/Drawing Room: The handsome front door opens into a magnificent double-width sitting room with original, exposed beams and contemporary artwork offset by Farrow & Ball's Setting Plaster paintwork. To the right side is the drawing room end, with an original inglenook fireplace and wood-burning stove, a flagstone floor with a cosy rug and two inviting, four-seater sea-blue velvet sofas. To one side of the inglenook is an alcove with a chest of drawers full of family games. To the left side of this fabulous living space is a sitting room with an L-shaped, deep and comfy sofa, a button-back armchair, antique coffee table-trunk and a 50" Smart TV. Two low, sash windows with bespoke wooden shutters and wide window seats provide a lovely spot to sit and peek out at the world going along Sheep Street. Dining Room: The living area at the front of the house connects to the dining room through an open arch and walkway, to either side of a wide pillar, creating a lovely flowing space. The dining room, with its extendable, rectangular table*, console tables and stunning glass table lamps, can be dressed up or down to create the perfect setting for casual or formal dining. (*Photo shows the table set for eight; however, the table has an extra leaf, so can comfortably seat up to 12 guests.) One sash window throws light into the room and provides a view out to the garden, while the other looks into the rear hallway and contemporary extension. Central & Back Hall: The central hallway is, as the name suggests, at the heart of the house, seamlessly connecting the original, ancient Merchant House to the contemporary, rear extension, with its exposed Cotswold stone wall and bespoke, ash staircase that ascends to the top floor. The space is open and practical, with hooks for coats, a shelf for hats and gloves and a large cupboard with room for shoes, boots and cleaning equipment. The back hallway, also accessed from the garden through the back door (used by the owners as the main entrance to the house rather than the front door), is a light and bright space with the kitchen to the right, a cloakroom straight ahead and the central hallway down two steps to the left. You'll find a handy console table here - the ideal place to leave keys, maps, hats and gloves. Cloakroom: No room has been left out in the styling of Merchant House and that includes the downstairs loo, which features Little Greene's sage green walls. Kitchen/Breakfast Room: The fabulous, open-plan, bright and airy kitchen and breakfast room runs the length of the contemporary extension, from the back hallway right through to the lower garden terrace through striking bi-fold doors. This is likely to be the room that will be the hub of your stay - especially on a sunny spring or summer's day. The fully equipped kitchen features bespoke shaker units, solid oak worktops and Fired Earth's exquisite Bert & May Luna tiling. To one side of the kitchen is the main cooking and preparation area, with a triple oven stove and 5-ring induction hob, and a wide worktop that doubles as a breakfast bar, with two bar stools, on the far side. To the other side of the kitchen is a ‘utility' area with a dishwasher, washer-dryer and double sink looking out to the barbecue, easily accessed through a side door beside the sink. At the far end of the room is a wooden, farmhouse-style table with eight chairs, and the bi-fold doors, which when open form an extension out to the lower terrace of the garden, drawing the eye beyond and over the second terrace to the lawn and outdoor dining area. First Floor Head up the wide, ash staircase to a spacious, first-floor landing, with feature stone walls, a tall chest of drawers and a dresser. Off the landing you'll find three bedrooms - one ensuite - and a family bathroom. Merchant House's six bedrooms, and landings, have a soft, foot-loving, carpet. The bedrooms have 6,000 pocket sprung mattresses with natural fibres and fillings, creating a luxury sleeping experience, while the bathrooms are furnished with stylish and distinctive Heritage baths and showers and feature Neisha Crosland Fired Earth tiles. Bedroom One: Sitting at the back of the house, with glorious views of the garden through two sash windows, this wonderfully spacious bedroom has a thyme green theme with accents of raspberry pink, creating a thoroughly relaxing space…big enough to roll out a yoga mat should you have the urge. The bedroom is furnished with a super-king bed with bedside tables and reading lamps, a chest of drawers, vintage French mirrored shutters, a dressing table and clothes rails with hooks and hangers. Bedroom Two: The master bedroom on this floor has a charming entrance with a chair and hooks and hangers for clothes to one side, and the doorway into the ensuite bathroom on the other. The calming and tranquil bedroom lies ahead, furnished with a super-king bed with luxury cotton bedding