Artist Apartmemt with Hand-Painted Chinoiserie Murals - Southse

About Your Hosts

Hello, and welcome.

We’re based in Southsea, Portsmouth, a coastal city we love for its sea air, historic streets, and creative energy. One of us is an artist, and the other, Jules, works as a business analyst — a balance of creativity and structure that shapes both our lives and how we host.

The apartment reflects this blend. It’s filled with original artwork, thoughtfully chosen details, and a calm, carefully curated atmosphere designed to feel welcoming rather than generic. We care deeply about comfort, cleanliness, and clear communication, and we aim to offer a space that feels both relaxed and well looked after.

We love travelling ourselves and have stayed with some wonderful hosts over the years. Experiencing that generosity has inspired us to host in the same spirit — offering a home that’s prepared with care and becomes part of someone else’s journey, whether they’re visiting for rest, work, or exploration.

We’re very happy to welcome you to Southsea and hope you enjoy your stay.

We live in Southsea, Portsmouth, an island city with a character all of its own. Being surrounded by water shapes everything here — the light, the pace, and the way the days unfold. The Solent looks different every day, shifting with the weather, the tide, and the season, and it’s something we never tire of noticing.

Southsea has a rare village-in-a-city feel. Independent cafés, small shops, galleries, and local makers sit alongside wide streets and historic architecture, creating a place that feels lived-in, creative, and welcoming rather than busy or anonymous. There’s a strong local arts scene, with exhibitions, open studios, pop-up events, and community-led spaces that give the area a quietly confident cultural life. Creativity here feels woven into daily life rather than set apart from it.

We love walking by the sea — especially with our dog — whether it’s along the promenade, across the common, or down quieter residential streets where Victorian houses sit side by side, each with their own stories and details. The coastline offers space to breathe, think, and slow down, while still being moments from the energy of the city.

Our home is a Victorian townhouse, and we’re drawn to the history, proportions, and character of these buildings. High ceilings, generous rooms, and the sense of continuity with past lives all contribute to the atmosphere we value and try to preserve. Hosting within this setting feels like sharing a small part of that history, while adapting it thoughtfully for contemporary living.

Southsea suits people who enjoy texture and contrast — sea and city, history and modern life, creativity and calm. It’s a place to wander, notice, and settle into for a while, and we hope it offers you the same sense of ease and inspiration that keeps us here.

What makes our apartment special is not just its location, but the way it has been thoughtfully created and cared for.

Set beneath our own Victorian home, this newly refurbished basement flat sits within a conservation area in Southsea, offering a rare balance of calm and centrality. It feels tucked away and private, yet you’re just a ten-minute walk from the sea, with Southsea’s cafés, independent shops, and cultural life close by.

Unlike many short-stay spaces, this apartment isn’t a neutral or anonymous interior. One of us is an artist, and the flat has been shaped with an artist’s eye for atmosphere, proportion, and detail. The standout feature is a hand-painted Chinoiserie-style fireplace, created specifically for the space, which forms a beautiful focal point and sets the tone for the apartment. Original artwork is displayed throughout, giving the flat a sense of identity, warmth, and quiet individuality.

The refurbishment has been approached with comfort in mind — good lighting, quality materials, and a layout designed for relaxed, easy living. The kitchen is well equipped for short stays, the living area is comfortable and inviting, and the bedroom space is designed to feel intimate and restful. Everything has been chosen to create a space that feels considered rather than over-styled.

Being beneath a period home means the apartment retains the character of the building, and with that comes a sense of history and texture you won’t find in modern developments. It’s a place for guests who appreciate design, creativity, and authenticity, and who value staying somewhere that feels personal rather than purely functional.

This is a space made for people who enjoy the details — a calm retreat after a day by the sea, a base for exploring the city, or simply somewhere beautiful to come back to and slow down. We’re proud to share it and hope it becomes a memorable part of your time in Southsea.