The cloakroom was created by splitting the large downstairs toilet into two rooms. Two thirds of the room were assigned to the cloakroom, with a new stud wall separating the two.
Restoration
The original door and frame, from the hallway to the old toilet was removed and used in the new opening from the cloakroom to the morning room.
Renovation
Gothic arch – The addition. of this created an optical illusion of added depth. The doorway to the toilet was removed and an arch modelled on the Victorian ones was built. When a visitor stands at the front door, they now look through the vestibule, into the main hallway through the arch into the cloakroom and then to the new doorway of the downstairs toilet.
Flooring – the flooring had suffered substantially over the years and was lifted and replaced with a tongue and groove wooden floor. This was initially waxed as an experiment. however, this will now be stained and oiled to been in with some of the older floors.
Closets and storage cupboards – As you enter through the arch, the right-hand side of the cloakroom has had floor to ceiling cupboards created. These take, as their mirror the moulding around the toilet door and then continue the design. All the doors and mouldings were made to match those of the house.
The doors are split in the middle. This allows the light fitting to remain central to the arch. The brass knobs are in the same style as the room doors throughout the house, although still a substantial size, they are smaller than those on the main doors.
3 inch iron butt hinges have been used, to achieve a similar look to the original hinges throughout the house.
Interior design
Light fitting – This belle époque light fitting was sourced at the La Réderie d’Amiens in France for a modest price. La Réderie, is similar to the Braderie in Lille, in which the town becomes a vast second hand market for the weekend.
Murder at the Vicarage – Original poster and programme guide. These were sourced from the internet and then matching frames made.
Bakelite light fitting on oak plaque – Reproduction switch added.
Downstairs central heating control unit – The thermostat for the previous system was located in the hallway. This detracted from the look of the bakelite light switches. Therefore, the decision was taken to locate the new thermostat behind the arch in the cloakroom.
Companies and trades people used in the commission of the room
Coventry Reclamation – Supply of new cast iron radiator
Regal Joinery, Soham – Fabrication of the closet doors.
Tindalls, Newmarket – Framing the posters and theatre programme.
The Old Vicarage B&B, Little Ouse 