THE home of Isabela and Timothy Baalham has really benefited from having a previous life. The couple were happy to tell SUSAN GOODSON all about their much loved house in a location that has proved to be perfect for a busy family

ISABELA and Timothy Baalham’s home of six years started out life as a newsagent’s, so the configuration of it is different from other terraces.

It means this family home in a popular residential location is deceptively spacious, which is something the couple have always appreciated, especially when their daughter Megan came along four years ago.

The house – 77 Westmorland Street, Barrow – has a vestibule, lounge diner, kitchen, utility room and to the first floor are two bedrooms and a separate access from the landing to the bathroom.

To the back of the property is a small enclosed yard.

The house has a really open feel to it with its lounge dining room partially separated by a large shelving unit.

This was done by the couple to give those eating a sense of privacy from the lounge, but it could easily be removed.

Timothy said: “The stairs are at the back of the house which gives us more living space.

“When it was a shop they probably had the front living area as the store and the kitchen, which is an extension, as their living space with a flat at the top.

“There is also the utility room beyond that which is also an extension.

“On the top floor is a good sized bathroom which has its own access from the landing and the two good sized bedrooms.”

Isabela added: “I think we will struggle price wise to find a house with so much space. We have been really spoiled here.

“You have a big kitchen now with the extension and then the utility room which we created.

“When we bought it we refurbished everything, we replastered the ceilings, redid the floors and had a new kitchen and a new bathroom put in.

“The kitchen is of a very good quality.

“Last year we painted the outside of the house so that it all looks nice.”

Isabela and Timothy also redecorated their home creating light and airy rooms.

They created the utility room from what was an L-shaped kitchen by blocking a section of it off and there is a very big storage area under the stairs.

There is further storage space where the couple covered the boiler and the house has a part boarded loft.

Isabela, who came from Brazil 15 years ago, has always loved the sizes of the bedrooms, especially the master which she says is enormous.

She said: “The second bedroom is also a double and there is a good sized bathroom.

“Downstairs with the open plan living Megan has had plenty of space to play and even ride her bike in the living room.”

Because it is an end-of-terrace, outside there is space for two cars on the corner.

The area itself has worked out well for the family as it is extremely quiet and there is never any trouble.

Really good facilities are within walking distance, including the doctors, shops, the park, train station, bus stop, grocery stores and chemists.

For those evenings when anyone has felt lazy there are good Chinese takeaways and chip shops handy to the house.

The couple are only moving because they want an extra bedroom for family to stay and to be closer to Megan’s school in Dalton.

The house – 77 Westmorland Street, Barrow – is on the market with Ross Estate Agencies for offers in the region of £89,950.

For further details or to arrange a viewing please call the agent on 01229 825636 or call into the agent’s Barrow offices at 16-18 Cavendish Street.