After nearly two years of renovations, Anmer Hall is now the perfect place for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to bring up Prince George and his brother or sister. After the new royal baby is born, the Duchess, née Kate Middleton and Prince William will head for their ten-bedroom mansion in Norfolk, which has all the comfort and privacy they need to adjust to becoming a family of four.Video: Live stream at the Lindo Wing
Some £1.5million has been spent to upgrade Anmer Hall to the home of Kate's dreams
With her eye for interiors, Kate has overseen the estimated £1.5million refurbishment with the help of experts, making sure to respect the building's late Georgian architecture and the surrounding landscape. Architect Charles Morris designed a new garden room and supervised the rerouting of the driveway to create a larger parking area.The inside of the stately pile on the Queen's 20,000-acre Sandringham estate was decorated with help from in-demand designer Ben Pentreath, who has worked for the likes of Prince Charles, Sarah Jessica Parker and Liv Tyler.
Kate at an East Anglia Children's Hospice event in Norfolk near Anmer Hall
He loves classic country houses but isn't afraid to bring them up to date with a splash of colour and bright wallpaper. Nor is 43-year-old Ben afraid of mixing antique furniture with modern accessories. It was the designer who is said to have encouraged Kate to step out of her comfort zone.
So while parts of the house, including George's nursery and the drawing room are traditional and classic, the other areas reflect this bold new approach. For instance, Kate had the dining room painted jewel green. She also requested that new more child-friendly kitchen was installed.Also involved in the project was another designer Anne Allen, who has discreetly been shopping for pieces with Kate in nearby Fakenham and Holt. Residents have become used to see the young mother popping in and out of local stores.
Kate has opted for bold, modern interiors as well as adding a new kitchen and garden room
The royal couple are often seen around their hamlet which is so small it doesn't even have a pub and no one bothers them.The Duke is seen cycling around the country lanes and the couple dine in pubs such as The Crown Inn, East Rudham or the Rose & Crown, Snettisham.
Peace and quiet away from the public eye in these first precious years with their family is vital to William and Kate. Luckily they already have a small circle of friends in the area including George's godfather William van Cutsem and his wife Rosie.Their Georgian mansion is also handy for William's job at the East Anglian Air Ambulance Service, which operates out of Norwich and Cambridge airport, both within 50 miles. William is expected back on June 1, after being off for six weeks through a mixture of unpaid leave and paternity leave.
The home set in 59 acres is two miles from the Queen's Sandringham house
When he completes a period of mandatory training, the pilot Prince will begin operational shifts atttending emergencies across the region in the summer.
Although caring for a small baby, while your husband has such a demanding job is not ideal, Kate's life is well organised enough for her to cope with the challenge.
She will have the help of the family's Norland College-trained Spanish supernanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo. Given the closeness between Kate and her mother, Carole Middleton will be involved in helping out as well.
Friends such as William van Cutsem and his wife Rosie live nearby
The royals were also in the process of hiring a new housekeeper. Their advert in The Lady for the new staff member stated: "Discretion and loyalty is paramount."
A picture emerged of a busy home, where George who will be two in July and the new Prince or Princess can run around playing with the family's Cocker spaniel Lupo, enjoying the sort of wonderful outdoorsy childhood that will make them happy, grounded individuals.
Duties were listed as "the preparation of meals, assisting with childcare and caring for the dogs" giving an insight into what their house is like.