Christmas CHEER

Katie Frade's recipe for a fabulous festive season includes lots of foliage, fairy lights, friends and family

- IFEOLUWA ADEDEJI

Looking at Katie Frade's home all beautifully decorated for Christmas, it's hard to believe that the family's move to the house in East Dulwich, London, nearly didn't come about. Katie and her husband Paulo had thought about moving house in 2016 as their property at the time didn't quite fit the bill. 'Our previous home was almost perfect, but didn't have enough space for entertaining or a separate area for adults - two of our must-haves,' says Katie. Deterred by the uncertainty of the post-Brexit property market, they changed their minds and concentrated on improving their existing home. Then fate intervened. 'Typically, as soon as we'd completed the refurbishment, Paulo found this house online in 2018,' says Katie. 

The property for sale was a five-bedroom, semi-detached, neo-Georgian house, and it ticked all the family's boxes. 'We hadn't considered this location at all, but the house backs onto the park and, as soon as I walked in, I knew that this was the one. Katie and Paulo could see that the house required substantial renovation work. 'The previous owner had lived there for 60 years and the house was a time warp,' says Katie. 'Some rooms lacked central heating and the electrics were in urgent need of updating. Still, Katie and Paulo felt the house provided the opportunity for them to put their stamp on it.