Rosalind Ambler meet a family who took on former home of local celebrity Melinda Messenger and have made it home.

Applegate House in Lower Wanborough is said to date from the turn of the 19th century, although it has been considerably extended and modernised since then.

"It looked more like early 21st century when we bought it, with a very modern, all white interior, pale carpets and very few curtains," explained the current owner, Richard Simner.

"We bought Applegate House from Melinda Messenger, who has young children, but to my way of thinking kids do not really go well with cream carpets and white walls."

Certainly Richard's own daughter, Amber, has caused a bit of redecorating in her own right in the playroom, which needed a coat of blue put on the walls after Amber had drawn on them. She also was allowed to choose the colours for her own bedroom, and being female and five years old, had to go for shades of pink for walls, carpets and curtains. "It looked alarming in the tin," said her father, "but it is much better on the walls than I feared."

Richard, 44, and his wife Frances Baxter-Simner, wanted a more traditional look for the house, with warmer colours.

The huge drawing room now features some beautiful craftsman-made furniture and display units created by Clive Christian, a Lancashire-based company that specialises in luxury classic designs for furniture, kitchens and bathrooms.

There is also specially designed bar, topped with marble, a material that the Simners love.

"The Clive Christian furniture in this room is not included in the sale price, but we would be prepared to sell them as it seems only right that they should stay in the room they were designed for," said Richard.

The ground floor also includes a galleried entrance hall, study, a rear hall with lots of storage space, two WCs, a kitchen, utility room, and large dining room. All have been redecorated.

The Simners had plans for changing the dining room.

"When we arrived, there was an abstract mural in stripes of pink on the far wall," said Richard. "We changed the colour scheme to a soft green, which goes better with our traditional furniture, and Frances had plans for more changes.

"At the moment, there is a fireplace that would roast anyone sitting at one side of the table," said Frances, "so I wanted to move that to the end of the room, and install some more fitted units, so we took out some radiators that would have been in the way, and put in some stylish new Italian ones either side of the window. We've got all the designs, and will leave them in case the buyers like the idea."

The kitchen has not been changed since the family moved in, apart from a coat of magnolia paint, and has plenty of units that include a built in dishwasher, fridge freezer, double oven and hob, plus a central island offering even more storage. Off this there is a useful utility room, used as a double bedroom by Jasper and Boris, the family's huge dogs.

Also off the kitchen is a cosy family room, which is the only reception room that Jasper and Boris are allowed into and is where the family spend most evenings.

Impressive double stairs lead to the first floor, which has a big window filling the gable overlooking the front courtyard. Off this, the master bedroom has been considerably transformed by the Simners who have built in a wall of fitted cupboards in painted and carved wood and used oak to disguise what had been metal beams.

There is a massive window, with views across the countryside towards the Ridgeway. Marble has again been used for window sills, and the same marble and wood combination appears in fitted units in the dressing room and adjoining bathroom.

Amber's pink bedroom next door has its own en suite bathroom.

Across the landing is a guest bedroom with a en suite shower, three more large bedrooms, one currently used as Amber's playroom, and a family bathroom.

The family are planning to move closer to the headquarters of their care home business which is based in Didcot.

Amber goes to school at Streatley, so the couple seem to spend far too many hours on the road, and do not have the time to appreciate Applegate House, or use all its facilities to the full. Facing the front courtyard are two large loose boxes and a tack room. "Amber is learning to ride, but I know nothing about looking after horses," said Richard. "We have played a few games of tennis, but have never used the mange for schooling horses, for obvious reasons."

The house is built round a sheltered courtyard, perfect for sitting out in on a warm day, and also has a pretty garden, the entire grounds being about 1.4 acres.

It is ideal for children and pets, as the property is bordered by a brick wall.

There are electronically controlled gates, leading to a carport and garage.

It is surrounded by very peaceful countryside, yet is only four miles from Swindon, and even closer still to the M4 motorway.

  • Applegate House, Lower Wanborough Price guide £825,000 This substantial family home has a hall, drawing room, sitting room, dining room, study, kitchen, utility room, laundry room, WC, three bedrooms with en suite bathroom or shower, three further double bedrooms, family bathroom. Garage, car port, two stables, tack room, floodlit tennis court, mange, garden.

Applegate House is for sale through Carter Jonas, Marlborough tel (01672) 514545.