Celebrity hairdresser’s mansion near Wolverhampton a snip at just £1.7m

Celebrity hairdresser Royston Blythe has put his Georgian mansion on the outskirts of Wolverhampton up for sale, with an asking price of nearly £1.7 million.

Mr Blythe, who has tended to the tresses of stars such as Katy Perry and Katie Price, has placed Grade II-listed Wightwick House on the market for offers in the region of £1,695,000.

But the loyal band of customers at Mr Blythe’s salons in Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury need not worry – the celebrity crimper says he has no intention of leaving the area.

“We will definitely be staying in the Wolverhampton area,” said the 57-year-old.

“We have got some very loyal customers and a lot of good friends in the area.

“We also do a lot of work in London and Cheshire, so we are right in the middle.”

He shares the house with his partner Nicky Malenko, who helps run his salons. “The reason we have decided to move is this is the longest we have ever stayed in one house,” he added.

“We have been there for seven years, and we are looking for a new project. We like to take a house in need of some work and totally refurbish it in our style.

“Being hairdressers, we are both quite artistic and forward thinking, and we are looking for a blank canvas we can make our mark on.”

Mr Blythe said he and Mr Malenko have many happy memories about their time at Wightwick House.

“We have had lots of wonderful parties there, and we have entertained many celebrities,” he said. “We have had Katie Price visit several times, and we have hosted a number of footballers’ wives.”

Agent Berriman Eaton described the six-bedroom house, located next to Wightwick Manor, as being ‘unquestionably one of the finest trophy homes in the area’.The property in Wightwick Bank has a swimming pool and coach house, and has a total floorspace of around 8,000 sq ft. The house is set in around 1.25 acres of private grounds.

“The superb Georgian residence has been extensively improved and completely re-appointed with consummate good taste and flair,” said the agent.

The white rendered property, which dates back to 1730, is approached through electrically controlled double doors which gives access to a long driveway.

Three steps with wrought iron balustrades lead to a formal portico.

The hallway has a period marble fireplace, and leads to the drawing room which was created from two original rooms with another period marble fireplace, and twin bow windows as well as windows leading to the garden.

There study has a fluted marble fireplace flanked by two arched display recesses with cupboards below and two windows.

The spacious breakfast kitchen is a feature of the house, with a central L-shaped island bar and a wine fridge. The kitchen also has an extensive sitting area with a hole-in-the-wall pebble fireplace and a white tiled floor.

The easy staircase with mahogany hand rails and fluted balustrades stands behind a wide arch with two supporting columns to the side of the reception hall.

On the first floor is the principal bedroom suite, including a dressing area and a bathroom with an oval free-standing bath, bidet and large shower, all with bronze slate surrounds and flooring.

At the opposite end of the landing the guest stuie has a sitting area with double doors to a balcony, a rear staircase leading down to the kitchen and four further bedrooms, all with wardrobes and shower rooms.

The ground of the property have been nurtured over many years by successive owners. Immediately behind the dining room and kitchen is an extensive patio with concealed lighting and wide steps leading up to the principal lawn. Beyond a further York stone path leads to the original tennis lawn with a swimming pool behind.

The whole garden is planted with a range of flowers and trees.Outside the drawing room windows is a formal garden with wrought iron gates leading to the front drive.

The couple had previously lived at Wergs Hall House in Tettenhall, before selling the property for £750,000 in 2005. They briefly stayed at Patshull Hall in Pattingham before moving to their present home.Last year Mr Blythe was told he could not build a four-bedroom house in part of the property’s gardens.

Wolverhampton City Council refused planning permission for the scheme, saying it could potentially have a negative impact on the neighbouring National Trust-owned Wightwick Manor.

Ref: http://www.expressandstar.com