Open-plan living in a Victorian house on Panton Street, Cambridge

This imposing and tastefully updated Victorian property has been home to Robert Altarelli and his family for six years.

The five-bedroom house, three-quarters of a mile from the railway station, is on the market with Carter Jonas at a guide price of £1.25million, having changed hands for about £850,000 last time round.

Arranged over three storeys, this well-proportioned residence, covering an area of 1,909 sq ft, incorporates a stunning open-plan living space which offers access to the private courtyard garden.

“I think the most impressive thing is the kitchen,” said Robert. “We have a large, open-plan kitchen which also has accommodation for sitting and eating. That’s the main feature, apart from its position in Cambridge.”

Robert works from home and uses one of the five bedrooms as his office.

“When we moved into the house it had just been renovated,” he said. The Altarellis previously lived in Petersfield Mansions.

“It was actually two dwellings. I’m not certain what type of dwellings; I believe it may have been one house and one apartment, or two houses or two apartments. It was in dire need of updating.

“So the whole thing was refurbished and we purchased it when it was complete, so we haven’t actually made any modifications ourselves.”

Elaborating on the layout, Robert added: “One section of the house has three floors and the top floor has two bedrooms with a shower room. Our two children occupy those two rooms, which is quite nice because their rooms are kind of self-contained, with their own shower etc.

“On the first floor, above the kitchen and sitting area, we have another two bedrooms and a family bathroom.”

Asked to describe his taste in interior design, Robert said: “Minimalistic. The colours are not too vibrant, sort of off-whitish – light greys, that kind of thing. It’s quite stylish, I think, not too bright or garish.”

Robert would not change anything about the property or add to it at the present time, though there is one thing he would consider changing further down the line.

“The house is carpeted throughout, and I think when the carpets come to the end of their lives, I personally would look to put some wooden floors down – but nothing major,” he said.

The Altarelli family are moving –still within Cambridge – because they wish to take another step up the property ladder, but he has a preference for the Panton Street property they are leaving behind.

“I’d like to see it go to another family,” he admitted. “It lends itself to a family like ours.

“We’ve found it very convenient that the children have their own independent space where they have everything they need up there. It’s a nice break between their space and ours, so I think it does suit a family.”

carterjonas.co.uk