[Advertisement – this is a paid partnership with Spring Wharf, but all words and opinions are my own]
Today I have a home tour with a difference to share, as it’s a property you could actually move into yourself. Set in the beautiful Georgian city of Bath, just 10 minutes by train from my own base in Bristol, it’s the show apartment for Spring Wharf – a brand-new and very stylish riverside development of one- and two-bedroom rental homes which I had a look around earlier this week.
Although Chris and I are lucky enough to own our house, we know from past experience what a hassle renting can be – the steep letting-agency fees, the fixed terms, the strict ‘no pets’ and ‘no decorating’ rules. But none of that is an issue at Spring Wharf. There are no fees, pets and personalisation are not only allowed but whole-heartedly encouraged, and the flexible contracts last anything from six months to five years. You can even choose whether to have your home furnished with bespoke, high-quality pieces or bring your own items.
What’s more, the apartments themselves are beautiful. Some have river views, others private balconies or terraces. The show apartment, for example, is a wonderfully airy and bright space, with grey-toned wooden flooring, crisp white walls and natural light pouring in through arched windows. I loved the elegant and understated furniture, which gives the whole place a calming and clutter-free feel.
At the heart of the apartment is an open-plan living space with plenty of room for relaxing and socialising. My eye was instantly drawn to the minimalist grey kitchen units, which have recessed handles and sleek matching worktops. I also loved the mid-century modern easy chair and the slimline black-metal sideboard – definitely pieces I’d choose if I was moving in myself.
The apartment also has two bathrooms (one ensuite) clad in timeless grey tiles, but my favourite spaces were the bedrooms. Each has a feature wall painted in deep teal blue or forest green – the kind of eye-catching yet soothing shade that even I can handle. They’re offset perfectly by brass accessories and pale grey wooden furniture, and banks of built-in wardrobes provide plenty of handy storage. I was particularly taken with the grey linen-covered beds (exactly what I want for my own home), and I could easily imagine myself lingering over morning coffee in either of them!
I also had a peek at Spring Wharf’s communal facilities, which include a residents’ deck with allotment areas and a BBQ space, a lounge with hot drinks and super-fast WiFi, bike storage, a car park and even a gym. And the architecture – a mix of honey-coloured Bath stone and textured brick with black-framed windows – makes for a very attractive building outside as well as in.
What do you think? Would you like to live in a development like this? And have you experienced any property-rental nightmares that you’re keen to avoid in the future?
The Spring Wharf apartments are available now. Rents start at £1,075 per calendar month for a one-bedroom property and £1,750 per calendar month for a two-bedroom property. Visit the website for more information and to book a viewing.
All photography by Abi Dare
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