This former gatehouse outside Chorley has been completely overhauled by property developer Ollie Piotrowski and his fiancée, Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter.
The couple bought the Victorian property in 2021 and share it with Ollie’s nine-year-old son Alfie, their 18-month-old son Forest and the family dog Stella.
Ollie and Jorgie spent the first six months after buying the house renovating and reconfiguring it to work better for their family.
‘When we bought it there were four bedrooms and two bathrooms,’ says Ollie. ‘It now has five bedrooms and three bathrooms to better accommodate us all, and the clothes, shoes, toys and things that come with family life.’
This is the first house the couple have bought together, and they were immediately attracted by the property’s history.
Jorgie says: ‘I’d moved into Ollie’s house a few years previously, but this was the first house we looked at buying together. I loved the property from the moment I saw it, especially the imposing stonework and the historic features, as well as the fact it was in a private setting that’s not overlooked.
‘We were both excited to restore some of its original features and character. Ollie’s professional experience meant he was well suited to planning all the improvements we had in mind so we could get it exactly how we wanted it, down to the last detail.’
Changes to the hallway and kitchen mean these rooms are now two of Ollie’s favourite spaces: ‘In the entrance hall we set a glass door into the floor to the cellar which is up lit and makes a really interesting design feature. We also put panelling on to the walls to restore some original character, along with wall lights and a feature chandelier.
‘The kitchen flows much better now for a family like ours that’s always on the go,’ Ollie says. ‘The open-plan set up means we can see across the room, because – as everyone knows – you need eyes in the back of your head with young children!
‘The kitchen island makes it a practical and sociable space, and there are lots of hidden quirks and design details like the concealed utility room tucked behind the kitchen cupboards.
‘The flow of the house has been altered significantly to make each room more welcoming and naturally accessible. We changed the entrances in the living room and commissioned some bespoke cabinetry which was inspired by our favourite hotels – Gleneagles and Grantley Hall.
‘In fact, Gleneagles is where I proposed to Jorgie, so it’s a really special place to us.’
The pair make a good team when it comes to home improvements, with Ollie being a property developer and focusing on all things structural such as layouts and features, and Jorgie bringing together the final pieces such as fixtures, fittings and décor.
The bedroom was another area that saw dramatic change during the renovation period, with the ceiling now vaulted to make it feel bigger and brighter thanks to Velux windows and lighting fixtures that hark back to the property’s glory days.
The en-suite also features Velux windows, allowing natural light to flood in despite it being a room-locked space.
‘We could have also opened up Alfie’s bedroom and the master bathroom in a similar way,’ says Ollie. ‘That’s one thing I might’ve changed. The vaulted ceiling has made such a great difference to the master bedroom but it’s important to keep an eye on budget and timescales during projects like this, and the extra space overhead wasn’t entirely necessary compared to the additional mess, cost and time.’
More light has also been allowed to spill onto the landing thanks to a glass roof lantern above the staircase. The stairs themselves have been painted white, with the addition of a runner to add a sense of grandeur. This is also where Jorgie and Ollie have created a gallery wall featuring photographs from their life together; a favourite spot in the house for them both.
Jorgie believes their chosen décor brings out the best of the house: ‘My style is quite high end and contemporary, but it wouldn’t have been appropriate to try to make this house ultra modern. We’ve tried to choose colours and pieces we love but which also allow the character of the house to shine through. It’s important to be quite sympathetic to the property’s history and character – otherwise it may as well have been a new build, and that’s not what we chose.’
Despite being thoroughly happy with the work they’ve done and the changes made, Ollie doesn’t think the house will ever feel entirely ‘finished’.
‘I think it’s in my nature and part of my job as a developer that I’m always thinking about the next project. I always have the urge to change or add something else,’ he says.
‘The next challenge is to restore the cellar properly and turn it into something more creative, but we haven’t decided exactly what yet, so that’s a pretty interesting project that we’re mulling over at the moment.
‘I always have one eye on the property market, because it’s my job to be on the ball. But I think it would have to be a pretty spectacular house to draw us away from this one…but never say never.’
