This weekend, we’re in Brighton chatting to Frederique (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.
When Frederique Etienney-Pope and her husband found out they were expecting their third child in 2020, they knew they were ready to leave London.
At the time, they were living in a small flat in Brixton, and while they loved everything the city had to offer, they wanted to move closer to the sea.
The pair ended up taking the plunge and buying a five-bedroom home for £850,000 down in Brighton, but the move has been far from stress-free.
Here’s what Frederique had to say about her property journey…
Tell us about yourself!
I used to work in a publishing company, and I recently got into interior design. I live with my husband and our three children, who are 12, 11, and five. We like to travel when we can, spend time at the beach and visit concerts and exhibitions.
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I’m originally from France but I moved to the UK 23 years ago. I now spend more time in the UK than in France. I came to study and I ended up staying.
We were in Brixton for four years and loved it. But then the second lockdown arrived, and as we were expecting our third child, we decided to leave London in December 2020 for more space, and to be closer to my husband’s family in Sussex.
Whereabouts is your property? What do you think of the area?
We love it here. We really wanted to move to Brighton because my husband went to Sussex University so was familiar with the area. It felt like a smaller version of London somehow, being by the sea. We were really specific about being quite central in Brighton.
There are a lot of people in Hove, but that didn’t really fit us because you have to drive everywhere. From our house, you can walk to the station in 10 minutes, and it’s not far from the Lanes.
Nearby, Berry and Sons, an antique store in Seven Dials, is one of my absolute favourites. It’s very well-priced and always full of treasures. I also love the North Lane Bazaar and Snoopers Paradise. You truly never know what you are going to find there.
Frederique used to work in publishing (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
How much does your property cost?
It cost £850,000. It was during a time of a big exodus from the capital. People were leaving London for Brighton, and it was extremely competitive.
We would do eight or 10 viewings a day, because you had to already have an offer on your house to be taken seriously by estate agents. They were overwhelmed by the number of people moving at the time.
How much was your deposit?
We had 40%, because we sold our previous home so we had equity. We bought that one for £350,000 and we sold it for £575,000.
What is the monthly cost of living here now, both mortgage and bills?
The mortgage is around £2,100 per month. We have a five-year term. The bills in the winter are horrible, around £400 for gas and electricity every two months. The insulation isn’t great.
…but she transitioned to interior design (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
It’s an old Edwardian property, so a lot of the windows are original sash windows. You’re losing a lot of the heat. Right now, it’s gone down to £140 per month.
Council tax is around £300, and then the water is around £50 per month.
What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you?
It was relatively easy, because we were in a good position. We’d sold our house and we had quite a bit of equity, but the first time we bought was tricky because we were both self-employed.
How did you find the property? What made you choose it?
It was the location. We saw a lot of potential in this one, but it needed lots of work. It had been a student house so it was mismatched. You had to use your imagination.
We really like old properties with lots of light, character, and high ceilings. When you’ve seen ten or 15, you know after a while when you walk into somewhere, you can feel.
She’s lived in the UK for more than 20 years (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
How did you get into interior design? How long have you been doing it for?
It’s relatively new; I’ve been doing it for two years. I’m starting to do some commercial property, which was a jump.
I had a small furnishing business where I used to upcycle and revamp furniture. It started from there, by staging furniture and just buying old pieces and mixing them together.
With our first house, we had to renovate, and I really enjoyed it. We then did this property, and I just thought it’d be great to do it for a living.
The family previously lived in Brixton (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
What would you say is the main inspiration for your interior design style?
I really like old vintage pieces, and bringing history back into our home. I like to mix dark and bright colours. I can’t live in a white or beige house; it just doesn’t fit my character, which is loud and busy.
We need colour to boost our energy levels. My style is bold, eclectic, and often inspired by places we’ve been, just bringing memories in. All the rooms they talk to us, and we don’t really follow trends. When it’s yours, it’s like a hug, rather than being a home that pleases everyone.
The children picked the colours for their bedrooms, and we wanted to make it work for all of us.
They decided they wanted to be closer to family (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
What work did you have to do on the home when you first moved in?
The main one was the asbestos. We realised there were some cupboards that had been covered with it where a boiler used to be, and then we found it somewhere else. At the time, I was heavily pregnant.
We had to clear the house, and we were so worried it could be contaminated. We had to board all the wooden floors upstairs in case some had fallen down, because it was really crumbling. When it breaks, it just disintegrates. It was a nightmare, but we got over it.
…and loved the idea of living by the sea (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
What’s your favourite room?
My bedroom, because I really went for the colour. It’s over five years old, and I still like it. It’s teal, and there’s some yellow with the bath, which I always wanted in my bedroom. It’s a luxury.
We’ve recently managed to finish a bigger bathroom for the five of us. I managed to put wallpaper all over the ceiling, which was difficult to do because the ceiling is curved.
There’s a big round bath, so I really like this room, too. It feels like a spa.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
Yes! I wish there were more storage, though, especially with kids.
Do you have any plans to change the property?
We were planning to do a kitchen extension, because it’s the only room we haven’t touched. But we can’t justify the cost at the moment. We’ve decided to park it for now and make it work with what we have, so we’ve just repainted it. I got a lot of spray cans and covered all the cabinets for about £35.
‘It felt like a smaller version of London somehow’ (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Are there any problems with the property you’ve had to deal with?
The boiler broke down numerous times. We’ve got insurance now, so it’ll be covered if we break down. It’s one of our biggest regrets, but we’ve learned. We should have replaced it the first time.
The roof was leaking, and there are a few walls where the paint has lifted. We probably need to replaster a couple of walls.
What are your plans for the future? Do you plan to stay here long-term?
I don’t want to move. It was so stressful. I’m still recovering, but maybe we’ll move back to France one day.
Shall we take a look around?
They live around 10 minutes from the train station (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
They always wanted to live in the centre (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
They’d love to fit a new kitchen in the future (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
They bought their home for £850,000 (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
At the time, lots of people were moving down to Brighton (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
They would view 10 properties a day when they were looking (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
They put down a 40% deposit (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
…as they had equity from their previous home (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
They sold their Brixton home for £575,000 (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Why hello there (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
They pay around £2,100 per month for the mortgage (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
The bills in the winter cost much more (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
…as the home has old sash windows (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
They saw lots of potential in the home when they first viewed (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
It was previously a student house (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Frederique used to upcycle furniture (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
…which is what led her towards interior design (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Each of her children has their own bedroom (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
We’re enjoying this funky wall pattern (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Frederique started buying and mixing old pieces together (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
She’s a big fan of old vintage pieces (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
The children picked the colours for their own bedrooms (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Look at these tiny boots (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Frederique wishes the house had more storage (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
They have five bedrooms (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Colour is an important element of her interior design style (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Frederique’s favourite room is her bedroom (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
It’s the classic toothbrush shot (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
When they moved in, they realised there was asbestos (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
So for the first month, they had to live with family (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
I love you, in French (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Fancy a bubble bath? (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
This is some beautiful detailing (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
They’ve had a few issues with the boiler (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
…but they’ve now got insurance (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
We’re enjoying this lamp (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Frederique hopes they never have to move again (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
We’re enjoying the natural light in here (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Bonjour (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
The blue and gold are gorgeous together (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Plants always brighten up a space (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
A garden is always welcome (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
…particularly in this weather (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
One day, Frederique would consider moving back to France (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
…but for now, she’s happy where she is (Picture: Andrew Hasson)
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk
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