Interior designer Drew Muntz purchased a four-bedroom villa in Truro, Cornwall, for £450,000 in cash, after being inspired by a brass door knocker he found in Rome. The property, Castle Lodge, is a Regency villa in the Georgian district of Truro.
The Door Knocker That Started It All
Muntz, who also runs a dealership called One of One, travels extensively across Europe for auctions and fairs. During a trip to Rome, he discovered an ornate brass door knocker on a back street. 'I thought it really deserved a special building, so I kind of bought the home because I'd already bought the door knocker,' he said.
Castle Lodge was originally a bistro that had closed down. Muntz bought it four years ago, using cash from the sale of a property in Bloomsbury. He later took out a £250,000 mortgage to fund refurbishments, working with the heritage department to reconfigure the space.
A Home with History
Research revealed that the architect built four villas on a hill in the centre of Truro, next to the river. Castle Lodge was the show home, where buyers could choose plasterwork and interior finishes. Muntz imagined the architect's family living there from the 1820s onwards, layering in Art Deco elements to suggest updates through the generations.
The property features bronze uplights from the British Museum and a screen from the Dorchester Hotel. Muntz also had fireplaces made and incorporated pieces from storage. 'I like to layer it up like it's all been done through the generations, rather than just thrown into a room,' he explained.
Monthly Costs and Rental Income
The mortgage costs between £1,300 and £1,400 per month. Including council tax and other bills, total monthly outgoings are around £2,000. When Muntz is travelling or working in London, he rents out Castle Lodge, generating approximately £40,000 per year. 'I'm a firm believer in letting other people enjoy the spaces you've created,' he said. The mortgage rate was around 2% on a five-year deal.
Finding the Property
Muntz discovered the villa while staying in Falmouth. He noticed a for sale sign while walking along the medieval river from the train station into Truro. He called the agent and requested a video tour, buying it without an in-person viewing. 'When you see as many places as I do for clients, you kind of get the gist of whether something is going to work or not,' he noted. The property is south-facing, which he likens to being on the Riviera.
Previous Properties
Muntz's property journey began in the early 1990s with a four-storey Georgian townhouse in Dalston, bought for £90,000. He later owned a five-bedroom penthouse in Fitzrovia, a house in Bloomsbury, and currently has a London pad in Hampton near Bushy Park. Castle Lodge is now on the market for £795,000, as Muntz is ready for a new project.
Favourite Room and Future Plans
His favourite room is the kitchen, which features a scullery, a large limestone fireplace, and banquette seating with a vintage table. 'That's a nice communal space where you can play cards in the evening,' he said. The home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a cloakroom, providing ample space for guests.
Muntz has no plans to change the property structurally, though he may swap out objects as he deals and sells. The garden requires frequent maintenance, as it quickly becomes overgrown. He plans to stay in Cornwall after selling, saying, 'I love Cornwall. I'm always up for a new project, and I seem to be quite fortunate that when I'm ready, the right building comes along.'
