FINE PREMIUM PROPERTY AND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
Barcelona bound
Summer 2011
150 pages of the UKs most exclus ive properties
celebrity home secrets Interior insights from the stars
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW TRENDS FROM CHRIS BEARDSHAW
THE MASTERCHEFS Success secrets and recipes
+PLUS: Summer fashion, entertainment guide and property news
Summer 2011 Fine 1
Š reg design & design right
Mandarin
THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE DETAIL To find your nearest showroom, arrange a consultation with a Smallbone designer or to order our stunning new Spring/Summer kitchen, bedroom and bathroom brochure, call 020 7589 5998 or visit our website smallbone.co.uk
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SHOWROOMS UK LONDON BEACONSFIELD SUNNINGDALE ST. ALBANS TUNBRIDGE WELLS LEAMINGTON SPA KNUTSFORD HARROGATE DEVIZES GLASGOW EDINBURGH USA NEW YORK GREENWICH, CT RUSSIA MOSCOW EKATERINBURG
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Contents
22 84
SUMMER 2011
THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE
Their love of Elizabethan architecture and the incredible history of the 1534 property where Shakespeare once stayed tempted them to make the beautiful house their home
A NOBLE LIFE She was instantly mesmerised by the magnificent house and gardens that contain the two-storey, threebedroom apartment she has tastefully transformed
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SPLENDOUR OF THE SEA From their stunning position on the town’s most prestigious road, they enjoy the magnificence of the sea and the opulence and splendour of their unique home
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MAGNIFICENT HEAVEN
COVER STORY An enchanting and exciting home by the sea on page 106
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With its stunning, light-filled pool complex and its glorious parkland grounds, magnificent Titlarks is a palace for entertaining and a simply marvellous family home
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THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT It took a year of searching but when they saw gracious and imposing Grays Park House they realised it had huge potential and would be ideal for entertaining
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THE QUEEN’S JEWELS A fabulous treasure in its own right, historic Catsfield Place was where a Princess was once sent to hide Marie Antoinette’s jewels during the French revolution
CREST OF A WAVE Inspired by a spectacular seafront location overlooking the Thames estuary, Perry and Jacqui created a dazzling sixbedroom home
FEATURED HOMES 16 REFLECTIONS OF THE PAST
34
A mirror image of the grand period home that once stood on the site, Horsley Hall is a modern palace of dreams with swimming pool, stables and lodge cottage
For the past 24 years the glorious property, which dates back to 1824, has been an idyllic family home - and with it has come the historic title of Lord of the Manor
LORD OF ALL HE SURVEYS
120 SPELLBINDING From the enchanting tranquillity of the moat to the splendour of the great hall, the couple have been spellbound by magical, medieval St Clere’s Hall
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42
Rizz and Sabiha fell in love with the mature English garden – and then built a stunning, minimalist home from Germany on the site
Set in five acres of prime land overlooking the Thames, and with its own boat house, mooring and tennis court, the couple have built the ultimate hi-tech home
When Trude Rini and Arild Forde first set eyes on their lake house they fell in love with its fabulous waterside setting and knew it was the place they had to have
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106
178
When the Graves decided to build their own home next to the sea, their first and foremost design requirement was to make it an enchanting and exciting home
Greenend Farm has been the family home of Michael and Julie Cartwright for 25 years – there they have nurtured its rural charm and enjoyed dining and partying with friends
AT THE CUTTING EDGE
CROWN PALACE
Set on the prestigious crown estate, the stunning Furze Field House is a veritable palace of exquisite design, incredible space and streaming natural light
A SITE TO BEHOLD
QUAY TO THE CASTLE
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ONCE UPON A
LAKE
DINING BELLE
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COLUMNS 96
A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE THINGS
This season traditional items are brought to life using exotic shapes, splashes of colour and inspiring design – we present a few of our favourite contemporary pieces, sure to brighten up any home.
160
GO GO GADGET
From the latest and greatest to the must-have products of the season, take your pick from the gadget world’s exclusive releases.
188
THE BEST OF...
Plan this season’s entertainment with our guide to the best concerts, music and theatrical performances.
FASHION 110
FASHION FEVER
Strike a pose in nude tones & add glamour to your evening ensemble in an elegant gown complete with sparkling accessories.
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141
TRAVEL
FEATURES
PROPERTY TYPES
08
50
FINE NEWS
THOROUGHLY MODERN
Catch up on all the latest news from Fine with market insights, new branch openings, a new Fine publication and examples of recent media coverage.
Magnificent new homes with glorious panoramic views or contemporary rebuilds featuring cutting edge design – perhaps it is time to step up to something special.
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166
CELEBRITY HOME SECRETS
The stars of home-style share the favourite things about their houses, and we reveal how you can recreate the look. George Clarke, Linda Barker, Diarmuid Gavin, Fiona Phillips and Suzi Perry reveal all.
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LESSONS FROM CHELSEA
Celebrity gardener Chris Beardshaw shares some of the trends that emerged from the Chelsea Flower Show and reveals his own naturalistic and environmentally-friendly approach to gardening.
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BARCELONA
Barcelona has long been considered a popular European city break destination. The hot weather, lively nightlife and close proximity to the coast draws scores of holiday makers each summer..
WATER MUSIC
Living beside water can be music to the soul. At Fine, we have an array of magical waterside homes in superb locations and in a glorious spectrum of styles and sizes.
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WELCOME IN THE HILLSIDES
Watching the kites soaring overhead and the sheep grazing on the rolling hills, it is easy to imagine you are a million miles from civilisation.
MASTERCHEFS
Masterchef judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace share some of the secrets of their success, and offer some tips to amateur chefs.
152
ON TREND
This season is all about a refined appearance whether hiking across foreign lands, sailing off the British coast or simply sipping a fine cognac amongst the Mayfair elite.
EQUESTRIAN CHIC
We have searched the equine world to bring you the latest trends for horse and rider. 6 Fine Summer 2011
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68
160
WELCOME
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elcome to the latest edition of Fine magazine, one of the country’s most sought after lifestyle and property publications. In this edition we are delighted to indulge you with 150 pages of properties for sale, many of them magnificent and all of them distinct. We have also grouped some of our favourites by location with contemporary homes (page 50) and waterside properties (page 166) to exquisite architecture set against the sweeping Welsh hillsides (page 176). In our lifestyle section Masterchef judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace talk about the popularity of the BBC Show and share their culinary secrets with two great recipes (page 141). Celebrity faces from the world of interior design discuss their cherished items from the home (page 38), and out amongst the foliage Chris Beardshaw guides us through his thoughts on the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (page 135). Horse lovers can enjoy our guide to equestrian fashion from boots and suits, to accessories for both rider and pony on page 152.
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Leaf through our regular columns to see the latest fashion trends for summer (page 110) including three of this season’s hot looks for men (page 116). For the latest in high-tech gadgetry see page 160, the best new entertainment is found on page 188 and for a few of Fine’s favourite interior pieces turn to page 96. We recommend Barcelona as this edition’s travel destination; discover the best attractions, hidden gems and consider a selection of the city’s finest restaurants on page 68. Shaped by quality editorial content and beautifully crafted property pages Fine maintains this standard through valuable reader feedback. Therefore we encourage you to get in touch with your thoughts, requests and opinions. If you are thinking about marketing your home and want to know more or if you would like to see your home featured within the Fine magazine, just call us on 0845 899 0008. Compiled, designed and edited by Dean Heaviside, Kim Dewing, Janice Carter, Hannah Martin and Anthony Sayer in association with The Marketing Café Ltd. Contributing feature writers: Hollie Miller, Abigail Saltmarsh and Gabrielle Fagan Photographers: Haakon Dewing, Paige Birnie, Nick Read, Karl Morgan and Nigel Clarke Fine is published by The Marketing Café Ltd, Suite 29, Unit 1, Spiersbridge Business Park, Spiersbridge Way, Glasgow G46 8NL. Tel: 0141 621 3900 www.themarketingcafe.net. © The Marketing Café Ltd 2011. All rights reserved. All information correct at time of going to press. Reproduction in whole or part (including storage by any electronic means) is prohibited without prior permission of The Marketing Café. The Marketing Café and Fine Magazine accept no responsibility for the views expressed by contributors to the magazine.
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Advertising enquiries The Marketing Café, 0141 621 3900
Property prices correct at time of going to press.
Summer 2011 Fine 7
Fine news
serious about selling Fine Director Dean Heaviside DISCUSSES THE GROWING FINE REVOLUTION AND THE UNIQUE APPROACH THAT IS RESULTING IN SOME NOTABLE SUCCESSES
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wo closely related aspects of the market have struck me so far this year. The first is that some agents have finally woken up to notice the fact that there is a large volume of homes competing for sale at the premium end of the market, wherever you travel in the country something which I have been highlighting for the past five years now. The second is that those same agents have not yet realised what is required to sell homes in this market. Just take a look at how most properties are portrayed from press adverts to websites and even to branch window displays. Yes, similar front elevation pictures for every single one so you have noticed too? It’s nothing short of estate agency by rote. We’re here to sell The whole ethos of my brand is to create marketing that engages the reader, the viewer, to make each individual home stand out from the milieu of homes on the market. And it works. Add the right marketing price to this approach and you have the perfect ingredients for a successful sale. It is the success of the sale that is the most rewarding for me. Especially as I hear so many stories of
customers who have been on the market for so long, have lost faith that they can move on with their lives and Fine steps in to turn around their fortunes. Fine sales That’s the power of the brand, you see - the power of lifestyle marketing and how much hard work we put into achieving the best profile for each home that we sell. It’s great too that so many people are joining our growing revolution; that see the value in what we do and trust us to achieve the right results for them. A big thank you for the many wonderful commendations you send. Believe me, they are very much appreciated. Dean Heaviside National Sales Director
“I hear so many stories of customers who have been on the market for so long, have lost faith that they can move on with their lives and Fine steps in to turn around their fortunes.”
Fine commendations “I saw an advert and I just loved the title “Barn Dancing” it really caught my eye and made the property stand out. I think it is so important to have good pictures - but ones that really reflect what a property is like.” “I think the lifestyle descriptions are very good too. It really helps the buyer as well as the seller. It helps them to narrow down the properties they want to view. That way they are not wasting their time.” “I just love the marketing concept that Fine has - that was what drew me to them in the first place. It is very unusual to see a marketing concept like this in this country - it is extremely professional and forward-thinking.“ “Your efficiency, professionalism and sheer determination in tactfully dealing with a somewhat difficult buyer - and a vendor who was reluctant to sell anyway - made the process go as smoothly as possible in the circumstances. I simply could not have chosen a better agent.
fine sales
Sunningdale, Berkshire | £7,000,000 This home had been on the market for several years with a number of national agents, before Fine’s superior marketing helped us agree the sale following its first advert in The Sunday Times. 8 Fine Summer 2011
Lavant, West Sussex | £600,000 This idyllic cottage had remained unsold since February last year, with two agents unsuccessful in displaying its undoubted charms, until the Fine effect came to the rescue and a sale was agreed on this wonderful home within a few days of marketing.
Fine Confidential... Let’s not forget our discreet property service, which has also seen some noticeable recent successes, including two properties with an ecclesiastical history. The Old Parsonage at Tidebrook in East Sussex sold and completed quickly and this Old Vicarage in Essex where a sale was again agreed within days, both the result of Fine’s pro-active sales approach.
FINE OPENINGS
in the media
WITH MORE BRANCH OPENINGS IN 2011 THERE IS BOUND TO BE A FINE BRANCH LOCATED NEAR YOU
FINE ESTATE AGENTS AND ITS PROPERTY PORTFOLIO HAS ENJOYED A HIGH MEDIA PROFILE OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. FROM PROPERTY FEATURES FOR OUR VENDORS TO PLAUDITS FROM RESPECTED JOURNALISTS HERE IS A SELECTION. PROPERTY BLOG BY GRAHAM NORWOOD ‘The majority of agents selling homes outside of the capital have a more balanced approach of prose, details and pictures. A very few others, again chiefly outside London, put in extraordinarily long descriptions - have a look at the property details created by Fine estate agency. In its own words it wants to “truly connect” with potential buyers and the result is, the company says, “far more engaging than traditional agency’s uninspiring lists.” View online at http://www.propertynewshound.com THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH “And when it comes to publicity, the glossiest approach is that adopted by upmarket estate agents Fine. Their brochures feature human-interest stories on the current owners and how they feel about the property they are selling. So next time you want to sell your house, you may find yourselves beneath a headline saying “Mr and Mrs Smith take us inside their lovely, two-bedroom semi”. A property version of Hello!? Don’t laugh. It could catch on.” View online at http://tgr.ph/jGnAGa
THE FINANCIAL TIMES Hadleigh House, Windsor, £3m 28 May 2011, Property article. THE SUNDAY TIMES 20 Lancaster Gardens, Wimbledon, London, £4.5m 19 June 2011, Full page feature. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH Elsenham House, Essex, £4m 11 June 2011, Property article. THE MAIL ON SUNDAY Dewstow Gardens, Monmouthshire, £1.95m 19 June 2011, Full page feature. COUNTRY LIFE Temple Ferry Place, Buckinghamshire, £3.3m 11 May 2011, Property article.
WINCHESTER 15 Southgate Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9DZ Fine comes to Hampshire with the opening of the Winchester branch. Headed up by Anne-Marie Green who has more than 15 years’ experience of the local property market.
COLCHESTER
158 High Street, Colchester Essex CO1 1PG After being awarded the Fine branch of the year in 2010 the Colchester team moved into dedicated premises in 2011.
LEATHERHEAD
15-17 Bridge Street, Leatherhead Surrey, KT22 8BL Our latest addition to Surrey opened in March 2011 complementing our branches already located in Cobham, Dorking and Oxshott.
fine voice Fine PR
Eric Dixon Tel: 01371 810 107
secret shopper
The practice of estate agency came under the TV spotlight in February, when it was featured on the Mary Portas Secret Shopper programme on Channel Four. Focussing on north London estate agency chain Martyn Gerrard, the programme suggested ways in which the company could improve service to its customers.
Fine voice Property
Property Focus &
FINE VOICE IS A NEW PUBLICATION THAT GIVES branch spotligh t NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE WORLD OF FINE. FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MARKET INSIGHTS AND VIEWS FROM THE EXPERTS THIS IS BOUND TO BE A USEFUL READ. After watching the programme, Fine Director Dean Heaviside said: “It was good to hear Mary deride the use of traditional estate agent speak in property brochures. Phrases like ‘internal viewing recommended ’, ‘inter-
Focus & News
Mary Portas tells us what she thinks of estate agency clichés
communicating reception room’, and ‘would suit DIY enthusiast’ have no place in Fine’s particulars - and I’m proud to say that we’ve never used them. “It was also refreshing to hear Mary talk about the importance of including those details which impart a personal aspect about the property in question – like the amount of hidden storage space, access to quality schools and the directions rooms face to catch the morning sun. That’s precisely the sort of detail that Fine specialise in, with our brochures being written by professional journalists. We call it ‘lifestyle marketing’ – and we’ve been doing it for years!”
Mary Portas
three new Fine offices of this year - in essex, opened in the first quarter surrey and Hampshir e.
Fine office, Winchester
In February Fine took
branch
over the business
of Fine & Country in Winchester. Both the Chairman and Managing Director of Fine & Country Hampshire switched to Fine, inspired by the company’s sensational impact in the premium property market.
Anne Marie Green, the former Managing Director of Fine & Country Hampshire
said: “We have a very good team here with many, many years’ experience of the prestige end of the market and our clients know how we work. When the innovative techniques that Fine uses are added to that, i think that we have a winning formula that will significantly enhance the saleability of clients’ homes.”
Fine office, leatherhead
branch
In the leatherhead office, which opened on 28th February this year, the news is equally optimistic. “as soon as we opened our doors we started taking on new instructions,” explains senior branch manager, Rachel Shaw. “One house we took on had been on the books of another agent for a year without a viewing. But after three days we had overturned that. A lot is down to pricing a property realistically, but just as much is down to good old fashioned estate agency: keeping in contact with owners and potential buyers. We’re off to a strong start here because Fine’s lifestyle marketing approach is unique, with no alternative in this area. All the signs are good and the market is steady and better than this time last year.”
Fine office, colchester
branch
For the new office in Colchester in Essex, which officially opened on 14th March, it’s been an impressive start with 54 percent of its stock sold. Daryl Parr, the senior manager for Essex and Suffolk says, “the market is steady and moving, as our statistics testify - but it’s all about managing buyers’ and sellers’ expectations over pricing.” The success story of lifestyle marketing is repeated. “Our brochures are impressive and one property in Great Dunmow which had been with another agent for a year – sold in two weeks once it was on our books. It’s taking about 8 to 12 weeks to sell a property – a reflection that we’re serious about marketing positively, rather than waiting for people to come to us.”
steady as she goes
Fine Director Dean HeavisiDe takes a look back at quarter oF tHe tHe First year – anD Discover s soMe Fascinat about tHe current ing trutHs state oF tHe ProPerty Market in tHe uk. Fine Director Dean
Heaviside takes a look back at the first quarter of the year – and discovers some fascinating truths about the current state of the property market in the UK.
that today’s buyers are willing to bands and wider geographical consider larger price areas in their search for the perfect home.
The most remarkable thing about the UK property market in the first three months of the year has been its resounding stability. Despite the gusts of wind and cross-currents coming from the wider economy, it has managed to steer a relatively steady course through the troubled waters of the first quarter. What’s more, although the media is regularly reporting that the number of mortgage approvals remains stubbornly low - January’s figure of 27,000 compares to the low-point of the market at the same time in 2009 - this statistic ignores the sheer number of cash buyers out there.
At the time of writing, a quick search of the Rightmove website for properties priced at between £700,000 and £1m within 10 miles of Guildford in Surrey results in the return of an impressive list of 594 homes currently on the market. Keeping the same price band, but widening the search area to include the whole county increases that number to over 1,000! When you consider that many buyers are adopting a regional approach, and including several counties in their search, the number of potential properties currently available is simply enormous.
“today’s buyers are willing to consider larger price bands and wider geographical areas in their search for the perfect home.”
Those choosing to downsize, and those at the top end of the buying spectrum without the need for a mortgage are an increasingly large proportion of buyers as a whole, now accounting for a massive 40% of overall property sales. And yet this is a figure which many indices choose to ignore. So if the picture is not as gloomy as some pundits would have you believe, why do other estate agents insist upon perpetuating the lie that there’s a lack of property out there? Especially when you consider
The undeniable truth is that there’s a wealth of homes currently for sale in the UK with serious buyers actively hunting for a new home. The challenge for estate agents is to engage with those buyers effectively. People selling property simply need to make sure that they instruct an agent capable of presenting and marketing their home in the best possible light, so that it stands out from the crowd.
news spring 2011
In this issue Market trends
fascinating truths about the UK property market
5% stamp Duty
know how it affects
you
branch spotlight new Fine locations
sign of the times Fine at a crime scene
Media Watch Fine properties as seen in the press
budget & beyond
all the key facts & figures
secret shopper
the Portas perspectiv e
View online at www.fine.co.uk Summer 2011 Fine 9
magnificent heaven
With its stunning, light-filled pool complex and its glorious parkland grounds, magnificent Titlarks is a palace for entertaining and a simply marvellous family home 10 Fine Summer 2011
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tepping out into the sunshine, and strolling across her manicured lawn, the owner of Titlarks surveys the splendid view. Almost three acres (STMS) of spectacular garden rolls away from her, creating a glorious parkland setting for her breathtaking, sumptuous home. The exquisite Sunningdale mansion sits beautifully in its lush surroundings, offering wonderful, stylish spaces for comfortable, contemporary living. Bright family rooms are perfect for easy living while striking features, such as the glass-walled pool complex, make it an incredible entertaining
home as well. “This is a home where there is just so much choice. You can always find somewhere to sit quietly on your own and simply take in the view. Alternatively, if you enjoy hosting parties and events, this is the perfect place to do so.” HIGH SOCIETY The stunning 1930s home features eight bedrooms, five bathrooms and expansive reception spaces, as well as a self-contained one bedroom apartment. Ideal for an extended family and owners keen to welcome guests into their sumptuous surroundings, it is also beautifully designed for those wishing to
“You can relax by the pool in the day and soak up the views as well as the ambience. At night time you can gaze up at the stars through the glass.”
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“French windows lead from the drawing room and the sitting room on to the terrace. This is wonderful for entertaining and simply superb in the summer, when the doors can be kept open all day long.” accommodate staff at the property as well. The exquisite half-panelled entrance hall features a marble floor and sweeping staircase. Here the current owner has hosted numerous social events, including one very special occasion. “I was married here,” she said. “It was perfect to receive guests in the reception hall with a glass of champagne, then let them flow straight out to the terrace with the marquee on the lawn beyond.” AGE OF ELEGANCE Beautifully styled and with many detailed features, the house is elegant as well as welcoming. The drawing room features ornate wooden doors and two large carved bookcases, which beautifully complements the impressive fireplace. This flows into the wood-panelled sitting room, once thought to have been a billiards room for the gentlemen of the house. “French windows lead from the drawing room and the sitting room on to the terrace. This is wonderful for entertaining and simply superb in the summer, when the doors can be kept open all day long.” The dining room mirrors the sitting room in its position within the butterfly-design house. Once again wood-panelled, this refined space is also overflowing with character. “It’s nice to eat in the dining room, especially for family gatherings like Christmas, when you can light the fire and feel really cosy while still accommodating a large number of people.” Summer 2011 Fine 13
STARRY NIGHTS Also on this side of the house are the kitchen/breakfast room and garden room. This area has been beautifully designed to suit the day-to-day needs of a modern family, incorporating an area of comfortable seating, as well as space for dining and stylish granite-topped food preparation areas, with a breakfast bar. “French windows from this room lead on to the lower terrace, where meals can be enjoyed in the warmer months and where there is superb access to the pool as well,” said the owner. “This is fantastic for summer parties.” Beyond the kitchen, the stone floored garden room offers another relaxing space to sit with a book or magazine. “We used this space as a playroom for my young daughter – she loved it as it was so light and welcoming,” she said. And she added: “This house really has everything a family needs. There is so much of it to enjoy in so many different ways. You can relax by the pool in the day and soak up the views as well as the ambience. At night time you can gaze up at the stars through the glass.” 14 Fine Summer 2011
leisure complex and apartment LEISURE AND PLEASURE The stunning, open plan gym is large enough to accommodate a full set of machines and weights, as well as to practice aerobics or ballet. The leisure complex also gives hours of fun, with its swimming pool, sauna and spa pool. Above the pool is a mezzanine viewing area, lower down is plenty of space to relax by the water. The design of the pool complex is cutting edge, with a curved glass ceiling and wooden support beams that sweep right out to make a feature of modern flying buttresses outside. The abundance of glass brings the greenery outside right into the leisure area. SEPARATE APARTMENT The garage block at Titlarks was built to accommodate four vehicles. Above it is a separate first floor apartment, designed to offer independent living space for staff. Ideal for a chauffeur, house keeper or au pair, this area has its own sitting room with kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.
“I was married here. It was perfect to receive guests in the reception hall with a glass of champagne, then let them flow straight out to the terrace with the marquee on the lawn beyond.”
Property details This imposing 1930s home combines an abundance of character with flexible accommodation. Inside there are eight bedrooms, five bathrooms, four reception rooms, gym and pool complex, while the grounds extend to nearly three acres (STMS) with tennis court, garaging and one-bedroom flat above. Location Sunningdale Type of house Impressive 1930’s Character Home Price £7,000,000 Contact Homes in Berkshire 01962 826050 Summer 2011 Fine 15
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reflections of the past
A mirror image of the grand period home that once stood on the site, Horsley Hall is a modern palace of dreams complete with swimming pool, stables and two-bedroom lodge cottage Summer 2011 Fine 17
“It was just such a beautiful site, nestled between the woodland and the rolling hills,”
S
tanding on the galleried landing, looking down on her magnificent reception hall, or sitting in the sunshine on the terrace, gazing out across the rolling countryside, the owner of Horsley Hall relishes the perfection that has been recreated here. Built just four years ago, the magnificent house stands on the site of a grand period home and has been designed to mirror the style of the original property. “We kept as much as we could of the original hall in the design,” explained the owner. “It has the character of the older house but all the luxury of a modern mansion.” PANORAMIC VIEWS Having always lived in the village, the owner knew the location of the old property well. “It was just such a beautiful site, nestled between the woodland and the rolling hills,” she pointed out. Although a substantial house, the new property was designed to feel homely. Rooms flow easily from the central reception hall, with its elegant wooden floor and staircase, beautiful feature fireplace, and from the exquisite galleried landing above. The main family area of the house is bright and airy, with stunning views and has been designed for easy living. “The kitchen leads through into an orangery where we can sit or have dinner. We can relax here during the day and on summer evenings the doors open and we just enjoy the views. This house has been designed to make the most of the sunshine.”
18 Fine Summer 2011
OPEN HOUSE The formal drawing room has been superb for entertaining while the snug is great for relaxing in the evening. “This is an amazing house for parties because it flows so well at Christmas, with a big roaring fire in the hall, the atmosphere was fantastic from every room”. ROOM TO STAY At the moment, the main house has four bedrooms on the first floor, including the master, each with its sumptuous bathroom and walk-in wardrobes. On the top floor are two more large bedrooms with bathrooms and a huge space which could have a multitude of uses. “This could be a games, cinema, art or music room. It has beautiful windows with stunning views,” she said. “This house is wonderful for having guests to stay in.” PLACE TO PLAY Other great additions to the house include the beautiful brick cellar with its glorious arched ceilings. There is also an office, where the owners can work from home and the gym where they can exercise after a busy day. “As you walk out of the kitchen towards the swimming pool there is an inner hall with a high ceiling, which is a fabulous space, and then the pool itself has had no expense spared.” “This has a very Mediterranean feel. It is an infinity pool and there is under-floor heating, which makes it very warm. It’s great, the kids love it.”
Summer 2011 Fine 19
“As you walk out of the kitchen towards the swimming pool there is an inner hall with a high ceiling, which is a fabulous space.” THE GREEN GRASS Stabling for three or more horses including tack rooms, the pond, terrace and croquet lawn, Horsley Hall has as many outdoor attractions as indoor. In the summer, the family enjoy the tranquillity of their green surroundings while in the winter the roaring fires are always welcoming.
in the grounds COUNTRY COTTAGE The coach house area at Horsley Hall features a two-bedroom cottage, as well as the gym and stable areas. George Lodge has two double bedrooms, and also includes an open plan living area, a kitchen and a bathroom. “It is very nice. It has a very trendy interior painted in Farrow & Ball,” she said. “It is ideal for guests or could be a great place for someone in the family to live if they wanted some independence.” KING OF THE CASTLE The woodland and countryside surrounding Horsley Hall offer some wonderful walks. One that the owners particularly enjoy is up towards the remains of Horsley Castle. Also known as Horston or Horeston Castle, this was a Norman castle built in the 12th Century. It was owned by the Crown from 1268 to 1514 but was in ruins from the 16th Century. Two broken walls form the remains of a keep and are surrounded by earthworks.
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PROPERTY DETAILS A substantial country mansion standing in 17.6 acres (STMS) of Derbyshire countryside with a lake, woodlands and paddocks. Inside the main house are six bedrooms, four reception rooms, an infinity pool, orangery and bespoke kitchen. Additionally there is a two-bedroom lodge cottage, gym and stable block.
Location Horsley Price POA Property type Country Mansion Contact Homes in Derbyshire 0115 9814509
Summer 2011 Fine 21
SET IN STONE Exquisite Nant Coslech with its magnificent gardens was designed by the current owners to feature beautiful Cotswold stone and to blend into its surroundings
22 Fine Summer 2011
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alking through their six acres of land, with its specimen trees and beautiful lake, the owners of Nant Coslech still remember their vision for the home, which means “stony brook” or “stone at the bottom of the brook.” “We wanted a house of exquisite character and a delightful family home,” they recalled. “It was to have uninterrupted views over the gardens from both upstairs and downstairs, as well as high ceilings and well-proportioned rooms that would give a sense of space, emphasised by the large windows.” Great care and attention was given to every detail in order to create a property that was in keeping with modern living yet had character as well. “Each and every room is so different with beautiful views, and each space is so special and relaxing, that the situation dictates our favourite room.”
“We wanted a house of exquisite character and a delightful family home.”
CAREFUL DETAIL Nant Coslech sits beautifully in its magnificent surroundings. The much-loved home was built between 1991 and 1993 to a design, which was a personal inspiration of the owners. “It was important to us to create a property in keeping with modern living yet we also wanted to introduce a quality of construction and materials that were complementary to a bygone age,” they explained. “Due diligence was paid to every detail - even the gutters and downpipes were designed and constructed to replicate the lead systems of another era. Now the Cotswold stone and stone roof complement the beautiful hardwood windows set in Bath stone.” Summer 2011 Fine 23
GRACE AND STYLE Each room in the house has its own very unique appeal – and every space also enjoys the most wonderful views. The imposing entrance hall makes a dramatic impression while the handsome drawing room and the elegant dining room have grace and style that makes them wonderful places to entertain. Bedrooms are expansive and comfortable, places of calm and relaxation, where family members and guests can wake up to a scenic outlook. THE GREAT AND THE GOOD Since building striking Nant Coslech, the house and the garden have seen some splendid occasions. “Family wedding, birthday, Christmas and Easter parties - and grandchildren’s visits are a special treat where they can enjoy the freedom of space and relaxation,” said the owners. “During a year of office as High Sheriff, we have also enjoyed entertaining in excess of 1,000 people. Lords, ladies and gentry – indeed, all guests - commented on both the location and ambience of the property. The facilities have also been used for many fundraising events for various charities.” EXQUISITE CHARACTER Nant Coslech is a house of exquisite character and a delightful family home. “We have enjoyed our time here but since our family has moved on and we now spend a considerable amount of time abroad, we feel the time is right to downsize. We will no doubt miss Nant Coslech but will take some wonderful memories with us.”
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“Each and every room is so different with beautiful views, and each space is so special and relaxing, that the situation dictates our favourite room.”
in the area
PROPERTY DETAILS
HERITAGE LAND The Vale of Glamorgan is a county borough in Wales. It is an exceptionally rich agricultural area that lies in the southern part of Glamorgan, South Wales. The yellow-grey cliffs on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast are unique on the Celtic Sea coastline as they are formed of a combination of liassic limestone, shale and carboniferous sandstone limestone. They were allegedly formed 200 million years ago when Wales lay underneath a warm, shallow, equatorial sea during the beginning of the Jurassic age. LLANDAFF CATHEDRAL Llandaff Cathedral stands on one of the oldest Christian sites in Britain. In the sixth century St Dyfrig founded a community close to the ford where the Roman road crossed the river Taff. He was succeeded by St Teilo and then Teilo’s nephew, St Euddogwy. These three Celtic saints remain patron saints of the present Cathedral and are represented by the three mitres in the Cathedral badge. Nothing remains of the original church but a Celtic Cross that stood nearby can still be seen near the door of the Chapter House. The present cathedral dates from 1107 when Bishop Urban, the first Bishop appointed by the Normans, instigated the building of a much larger church.
This handsome country home stands amid six acres (STMS) of stunning landscaped gardens providing plenty of privacy and seclusion, yet Cardiff and the M4 are within easy reach. Inside there are five bedrooms, four en-suites and five reception rooms while outside there is garaging for six vehicles and plenty of parking
Location Pontyclun Price POA Property type Impressive country home Contact Homes in South Wales 029 21159148 Summer 2011 Fine 25
AT THE
CUTTING EDGE
Rizz and Sabiha fell in love with the mature English garden – and then built a stunning, minimalist home from Germany on the site 26 Fine Summer 2011
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pening his front door to yet more guests, property expert Rizz admits he chose his Herbert Road home as much for entertaining as for family life. He and his wife Sabiha believe a home is for enjoying – and they love nothing more than sharing their cutting edge minimalist Huf Haus with friends. Today their breathtaking home has five bedrooms, four reception rooms and a fabulous leisure complex, complete with infinity pool, steam room and gym. It also has a separate one bedroom annexe. “We love open plan homes that we can walk about and feel around us,” he explained. “We both also believe homes are for enjoying and sharing with friends. We built this home with intention of having lots of people in it, and we often have well in excess of 150 here.”
“I saw a Huf Haus and found the whole idea of building one here completely intriguing. The style was absolutely fantastic and I knew how good the German building work would be.” Summer 2011 Fine 27
“If we could build this all again when we move, then we would.” 28 Fine Summer 2011
AMAZING DESIGN It was in 2005 that the couple first came to look at the site. Rizz remembers how it was snowing and the gardens looked like a picture postcard. “The old garden had curved paths and round flowerbeds. We loved it and decided to buy the house,” he recalled. But after his plans to extend the existing home were rejected, he and Sabiha decided to move in a completely different direction. “I saw a Huf Haus and found the whole idea of building one here completely intriguing. The style was absolutely fantastic and I knew how good the German building work would be,” he said. “These houses are amazing and they feel just as great in the winter as in the summer.” LIGHT AND OPEN The planners came on board too and soon the old bungalow-style home was taken down and the new house arrived from Germany ready to be put together on site. “It was everything we hoped it would be – light, open and very beautiful,” he said. As well as incorporating open family and guest areas, the house was designed to ensure everyone had their own spaces. “I love my pool and spa area - that is where I go to unwind,” he said. “I also have my own living room where I can relax quietly.” He went on: “My wife loves her kitchen. She also likes the bedroom, with its bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, where she can keep all her handbags and shoes.” UNIQUE SPACES The children have their own reception room, where they can play on their games consoles, use computers and watch television. “We also have an office room next to it, where they can do their homework or I can work,” he said. The dining area has a double height ceiling, and doors that lead out onto a terrace where guests can enjoy evening drinks. The flow through the house and out into the garden makes entertaining easy, with a number of glass doors allowing the house to open up beautifully on to its garden. STYLISH ROOMS The expert advice of an interior designer helped the couple bring the various spaces together. Upstairs and down, the house now blends the simple and contemporary with the more opulent. “We have enjoyed being here so much,” said Rizz. “Although after building the Huf Haus, we did realise it did not work very well within the old garden we had been so attracted to, so we had it re-landscaped to fit in.” He went on: “We love this house so much that when we are away, we often feel like we just want to come home!”
PROPERTY DETAILS Enjoying superb attention to detail, contemporary design and crisp straight lines, this wonderful Huf Haus is a modern masterpiece. The interiors include five bedrooms, four lovely reception rooms, three en-suites and a stunning bespoke kitchen. Additionally there is a magnificent leisure complex with an infinity style pool, steam room and gym. Location Hornchurch Price £4,000,000 Property type Luxurious modern home Contact Homes in West Essex 020 85040977
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crown palace SET ON THE PRESTIGIOUS CROWN ESTATE, THE STUNNING FURZE FIELD HOUSE IS A VERITABLE PALACE OF EXQUISITE DESIGN, INCREDIBLE SPACE AND STREAMING NATURAL LIGHT
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tepping into the great reception hall, with its beautiful spiral staircase and many windows, leaves most visitors to the house simply overwhelmed. The incredible light and space within the expansive foyer, heralds a style that simply continues on and on, throughout the beautifully designed, three-storey home. “I wanted an atrium entrance, where you could come in and look right up to the top floor,” explained the owner. He went on: “This house is lit all the way through. At the back of the house I wanted as much glass as possible. Now the light comes streaming into the kitchen all morning.” PRIME POSITION It was two years ago that the current owner saw the six-bedroom property through to completion. Spending much of his time abroad, he was determined that his British base should not only be sumptuous but also in a prime location. “The location speaks for itself. The Crown Estate is a fantastic place to live and this particular road is very quiet,” he said. “It is ideal because it has good access to London, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports and yet this is also leafy England. Oxshott is a very quiet, pretty village.” Summer 2011 Fine 31
“It is where contemporary meets classical. The house has a Queen Anne style from the outside. Inside, it has more of a Philippe Starck look.”
CONTEMPORARY AND CLASSICAL He also had clear ideas on the design for his new home. As well as the desire for floods of light throughout, he wanted a contemporary look, with plenty of clean lines and a sense of flow between spaces. “It is where contemporary meets classical,” he explained. “It has a Queen Anne style from the outside. Inside, it has more of a Philippe Starck look.” The house was designed for comfortable family life and as a magnificent entertaining home, with generous proportions and good access to the garden. “It works very well as a party house. You could have 50 people in the drawing room and not notice them. There is such a feeling of space.” STUNNING KITCHEN While the glorious atrium, with its exquisite spiral staircase and galleried landings, creates immediate impact on stepping into the home, daily life is very much centred on the stunning kitchen area. As well as its vaulted ceiling and many windows, this has off-white granite throughout and features top-of-the-range Miele appliances. “The kitchen is perfect for the way people live these days. It is very large and works well as the centre of the home. The family room is in that part of the house too,” he said. “I do like cooking and so it has lots of features such as the teppanyaki grill.” 32 Fine Summer 2011
SOCIAL SPACES The whole house has been decorated in an almond white to enhance the feeling of light and space, and has either limestone or oak flooring. The main drawing room is a stunning space, which opens up to the large terrace outside and is perfect for social occasions. “I do like the dining room too,” he continued. “This is not too large and imposing, which makes it good for smaller dinner parties. At Christmas I had about 10 people sitting round the table in there.” Spaces on the ground floor move nicely into each other. With surround
sound and a large screen, one of the downstairs sitting rooms would make a great cinema room. SUMPTUOUS SUITES Upstairs, bedrooms and bathrooms have been designed with as much care and attention as the reception areas. The master bedroom is on the first floor, along with two guest suites. Further bedrooms and bathrooms are found on the top floor of the house. These would make superb staff areas or suites for extended family. Another space is currently used as a gym. This has large windows
that overlook the kitchen and the garden. “The master bedroom is very attractive. It has a large dressing area with lots of cupboards and the bathroom is beautiful, with a big arched window that overlooks the garden,” he said. Spending an increasing amount of time abroad, the current owner has decided it is time to move on from the Furze Field property but can see it appealing to someone else who is seeking a stylish home in a soughtafter location. “I will miss it when I leave. This is a lovely place to live and the house has such a feeling of space,” he said.
PROPERTY DETAILS Enjoying a prestigious Crown Estate location, this magnificent family home boasts six/seven bedrooms, four wonderful reception rooms, a substantial kitchen/breakfast/family room and selfcontained guest accommodation, while outside there are lovely landscaped gardens and an extensive terrace.
Location Oxshott Price £3,999,950 Property type Impressive detached home Contact Homes in Surrey 01372 841910
Summer 2011 Fine 33
LORD OF ALL HE SURVEYS For the past 24 years the glorious property, which dates back to 1824, has been an idyllic family home - and with it has come the historic title of Lord of the Manor
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“It has been fascinating to have the records of the Manorial Rights and to be able to look right back through them.”
T
he owner of the 19th Century home is potentially entitled to be called Lord of the Manorial Rights to Puttenham Bury, explained the current owner. “You can actually put it in your passport if you choose,” she said. “We did not really use the title ourselves but it was fun to think we had something so historic, something that went right back to William the Conqueror. It has been fascinating to have the records of the Manorial Rights and to be able to look right back through them.” HISTORIC CHANGES Nestled in approximately 4.5 acres (STMS) of beautiful grounds, the imposing elevations of The Manor House are reflected in its pretty pond. Dating from 1824, the striking Grade II Listed home has stunning interiors that include five bedrooms, four bathrooms, four reception rooms, a self-contained North Wing and a detached cottage. The Manor House was built in 1824 as a rectory. A nearby older house was taken down and some of the materials reclaimed and reused. It was later extended and over the decades saw name changes. “In fact, this house has been extended at several points in its history, which is why the cottage is no longer part of the main building,” she explained. “We reinstated the North Wing, for example, which had been pulled down at some point in the past. “This is now a very attractive part of the house, which could be selfcontained, as well as being ideal for guests and family members.” Summer 2011 Fine 35
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AMAZING SPACE It was the space and comfort offered by The Manor House, as well as its beautiful setting and colourful history that drew them to the property. “This is a wonderful house, a superb family home, which is attractive inside and out. It has a beautiful, established English garden, and is in a most delightful setting.” She continued: “We love the frontage and the way the rooms flow into each other. Everyone can always find their own space within the home. The drawing room and the dining room are both very attractive rooms that are fantastic for entertaining. They have high ceilings and are very light and airy – the sun streams in.” She added: “because of the double doors there is an easy flow between them, and on into the kitchen, which is also a good, spacious room.”
A HOST OF DAFFODILS In the spring, areas of garden and woodland are carpeted with colour as the daffodils, bluebells and snowdrops burst into bloom. In the winter, the family have been able to go for long walks and then to return home to settle by the fire. “It will be difficult for us to leave. We love this place so much,” she said. “But we will take lots of wonderful memories – our son growing up in this house and spending time with his friends in the tree house, as well as so many other family times. Living here has been fun. This has been a very happy house.”
GREAT OCCASIONS Entertaining at the house has been a sheer joy, she stressed, from small family gatherings through to large celebrations. “We have had two weddings here. One, at which we had over 100 guests, was held in the house. For the other, we had a marquee in the garden,” she said. “Christmases have been wonderful times with lots of decorations and open fires,” she added. “With so much space, it has been very easy to have people to stay.” Bedrooms are all exquisite. The master bedroom, with its large bay window, is particularly attractive.
The main house has five bedrooms, the North Wing has another and then the cottage offers more flexible accommodation. Both these extra spaces can be used as self-contained annexes. “The cottage has two rooms. At the moment they are used as a sitting room, with a wood-burner and a bedroom but there could be two bedrooms,” she said. “We have found having the extra space very useful. New owners could use it in all sorts of different ways.”
cottage comforts
PROPERTY DETAILS With its magnificent high ceilings, its ornate plasterwork and its exquisite windows, The Manor House in Puttenham deserves a place in history for its beauty alone. Yet along with this superb former rectory, which sits in approximately 4.5 acres of land (STMS) and has a separate cottage and selfcontained North Wing, comes a particularly special surprise. Location Puttenham Price Guide Price £3,250,000
Property type Impressive manor house Contact Homes in Surrey 01372 383434
Summer 2011 Fine 37
Celebrity
Home Secrets
WORDS: Gabrielle Fagan
The stars of home-style share the favourite things about their houses, and we reveal how you can recreate the look
“ I have a snug retreat in a corner of my open-plan lounge which is completely tailored for me,” he says. “It’s at the garden end of the house next to a window and I have a wood-burning stove and bookshelves filled with all my favourite books on buildings and design.”
Favourite Pieces “ An original Eames chair and ottoman footstool in walnut and leather, and a Saarinen Tulip side table,” he says.
GEORGE’S COSY CORNER Architect and TV presenter of Five’s Build A New Life In The Country and Channel 4’s Home Show, George Clarke lives in London with his wife Catriona and their three children, in an Edwardian house he’s completely restored, inside and out.
38 Fine Summer 2011
Get the look
Eames Lounge Chair and Stool, £4,847, from Heal’s and Go Modern’s Tulip Side Table, from £310.
Trend Tips
Ample light is key to today’s successful rooms, says Clarke, and glass will increasingly play a part in design, as will lighting used imaginatively to change mood and atmosphere in rooms.
Trend Tips
We’ve all got a favourite place in our home, whether it’s sitting at the old, faithful kitchen table or being curled up with a book by the fire. And the same is true for celebrities – especially those who make their living by talking, writing and presenting shows about homes and gardens. We asked the style-gurus what their homes are really like and for details of their favourite pieces.
George Clarke, Linda Barker, Diarmuid Gavin, Fiona Phillips and Suzi Perry reveal all...
Natural materials such as wood, slate and stone echo our desire for neutral
Get the look
Bespoke printed fabrics, from £30 per square metre, from DigetexHOME; and Duravit’s 2nd Floor bathroom ceramic and furniture collection starts from £280 for a wash basin and pedestal. Shades and texture, in a style that doesn’t date, says Phillips.
“ My bathroom is my haven where I escape from the family and indulge myself with a long, hot shower, use lots of lotions and potions and play my favourite music,” she says.
Favourite Piece
“ A gilded bed headboard in our room which I plan to have upholstered in a fabric replicating a well-known painting,” says Fiona.
FIONA MAKES A SPLASH TV presenter Fiona Phillips lives in London with her husband Martin, and their two sons.
Summer 2011 Fine 39
SUZI’S KITCHEN WIZARDRY Suzi Perry, from Five’s The Gadget Show, has a house in the South of France with husband Bastien.
Get the look
Trend Tips
Technology awareness is growing, she says. “People are much more conscious of the way technology saves time and improves living, and with today’s great design, gadgets no longer need to be hidden in cupboards.”
“ My kitchen, with its flagstone floor, solid stone walls and old beams, has such an air of tranquility it’s impossible not to relax there,” she says.
Lombok’s teak four-poster, Lovina, starts from £1,395.
LINDA’S ROOM WITH A VIEW Linda Barker, TV presenter and interiors specialist from BBC’s Changing Rooms and ITV’s This Morning, has a two-bedroom retreat in North Yorkshire which she and her husband Chris, and daughter Jessica, 18, use at weekends and holidays.
Favourite Piece A barrel-shaped stool with a silver finish.
Get the look
Brass Frette Stool, £195, from Lombok, and a Stanley Comfy Chesterfield Sofa, upholstered in leather, from £1,490, from Darlings of Chelsea. 40 Fine Summer 2011
Favourite Piece
A teak wooden bed. “I’m addicted to dressing it with different throws and cushions to suit the seasons,” she says.
Trend Tips:
An eco-chic look, inspired by ‘alpine chalet style’, featuring recycled timber is on-trend, says Barker, as are metallics on wallpaper and bronze, gold and nickel furniture finishes.
“ My favourite room’s our large open-plan kitchen and dining room with a spacious glass extension, so there’s an uninterrupted view of the countryside,” she says.
DIARMUID’S OVAL SANCTUARY
Trend Tips:
Get the look
TV garden designer Diarmuid Gavin, who first found fame on BBC’s Home Front, has a family home in Wicklow, Ireland, which he shares with his wife Justine, and their six-year-old daughter Eppie.
An organic gardening approach - making your own compost, growing produce and natural-style ponds to attract wildlife - will grow in popularity, predicts Gavin.
Walnut and steel Eileen Desk, £815, from The Conran Shop; Graham & Brown’s Kyoto Cherry Blossom Wall Prints, £100 each.
Favourite Piece
A Conran desk, which he and Sir Terence Conran used at the launch event of their book, Outdoors. “It was so special to do a book with him that I bought the desk, and looking at it brings back brilliant memories,” he says.
“ We’re having a Chinese-style mural painted on one wall featuring cherry blossom and birds. It’s carpeted in powder blue, with blue velvet curtains from the floor to ceiling windows and a free-standing bath by the French doors, so you can look out on the breathtaking views.”
Ideal SOURCES
The Conran Shop: 0844 848 4000 | www.conranshop.co.uk Darlings of Chelsea: 020 7371 5745 | www.darlingsofchelsea.co.uk DigetexHOME: 0161 873 8891 | www.digetexhome.com Duravit: 0845 500 7787 | www.duravit.co.uk
Go Modern: 020 7731 9540 | www.gomodern.co.uk Graham & Brown: 0800 328 8452 | www.grahamandbrown.co.uk Heal’s: 020 7636 1666 | www.heals.co.uk Lombok: 0870 240 7380 | www.lombok.co.uk Summer 2011 Fine 41
A SITE TO BEHOLD Set in five acres of prime land overlooking the Thames, and with its own boat house, mooring and tennis court, the couple have built the ultimate hi-tech home
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“We look out over the Thames, woodland with mature trees, farmland or a paddock. It’s fantastic.”
W
e are very, very fortunate. It’s more than we could have hoped for. We still feel we’re on holiday,” said Wayne Burgess, as he described the dream home he and his wife Fiona have created on a magical site. “This was where the original ferryman’s log cabin was built before he retired in 1953. We lived in the bungalow built afterwards for 10 years before demolishing it and building Temple Ferry Place.” The property, which features floor-to-ceiling glass in many places, is a cutting edge, hi-tech house on stilts, which takes full advantage of its glorious riverside position. “We had the big benefit of knowing the aspects of this site because we had lived here. We knew where the sun rose and set - and we knew how to design the building to take full advantage of it. Now there are great views in every direction,” he said. And he added: “I don’t know of any of our friends who have been here who have not been blown away.” Summer 2011 Fine 43
HEART OF GLASS The couple have seized the opportunity of a lifetime to build a state-of-the art, ultra-modern property. “More than 50 per cent of it is glass. Every corner is floor-toceiling glass. There isn’t a room you don’t have a fantastic view from. Downstairs, the drawing room, dining room and kitchen are all facing the river and have magnificent views,” said Wayne. The glass walls are an inspired piece of design, which reveals the astonishing landscape: “We look out over the Thames, woodland with mature trees, farmland or a paddock. It’s fantastic,” he added.
“We often sit outside on the balcony with a glass of champagne and watch the sun go down.” 44 Fine Summer 2011
TOTAL CONTROL The living is easy in this hi-tech house. The whole building is computerised, with lights, blinds, sound system, heating all being managed from a computer or by remote control, which is perfect if he wants to put the heating on while driving home from holiday. “Even an iPad can do it now,” said Wayne. “The computerised system works remotely. I could manage the house from LA, or anywhere in the world if I wanted to!” The ground-breaking system means he can run the house like a computer, and it is very user friendly. “Because there is so much glass, light floods in. But inside the double glazing are Venetian blinds which we can open or shut remotely as we like,” said Wayne. “In the morning it’s fantastic to be able to press a button and see the blinds opening and the sun coming up. These are just magic moments. In the early morning and in the evening, a mist often lingers over the river which is so still there is hardly any movement.”
PROPERTY DETAILS Temple Ferry Place is an incredible example of a contemporary home combining state of the art technology and design with luxurious interiors. Secluded and private the house is set within grounds of more than five acres (STMS) and includes 85ft of river frontage, jetty, wet boathouse, tennis court with pavilion, paddocks and private woodland.
Location Near Marlow Price Guide Price £3,300,000 Property type Contemporary Home Contact Homes in Berkshire 01753 886177
CHAMPAGNE MOMENTS The kitchen is a room Wayne and Fiona love. “It has a raised circular table, and you can fling open the doors and look out over the river with garden on both sides,” he said. Upstairs, the master bedroom opens out onto a timbered balcony. “We often sit outside there with a glass of champagne and watch the sun go down. And if it’s raining it doesn’t matter because there’s a special overhang which protects us,” he said. Temple Ferry Place is also a wonderful home for entertaining, especially with novelties like hidden speakers, and LED lights that can be personalised with a touch on a keypad. “It’s very James Bond!” he said. Then there’s the wood, which adds to the atmosphere of cosy warmth behind the sheets of glass. “We have used oak and walnut inside, and the open gas fireplace burns so efficiently you don’t need a chimney or a flue,” he added. Summer 2011 Fine 45
“It is incredible to look at yet at the same time it does have a softness – a warm, family feel.”
S
itting out in the balmy early evening sunshine, taking in their incredible surroundings, the owners of Hall View still find the view awe-inspiring. Their breathtaking, modern home has been designed to make the most of its outlook towards the beautiful 14th Century hall and its parkland – and to draw its views right into both the house and garden. “We were drawn to this house because it was unique really,” said one of the current owners. “Nothing like this has ever been built in Nottingham before. The house itself has a grand and truly original style and its position is just stunning. When we walked through the house for the very first time, it simply took our breath away.” UNIQUE APPEAL Newly-built when they moved in, the contemporary house is curved at the back and features lots of glass to bring the light, as well as the views, flooding in. Circular shapes have been used throughout the design, creating a natural flow to the home, into which stone and wood have also been incorporated. “We liked the fact the house had a contemporary feel and had different styles throughout,” he said. “It is incredible to look at yet at the same time it does have a softness – a warm, family feel.” 46 Fine Summer 2011
REFLECTIONS OF
GRANDEUR From their magnificent home with its stunning, modern design they look out towards exquisite Wollaton Hall and its parkland and watch the deer meandering out on the grass
Summer 2011 Fine 47
“We liked the fact the house had a contemporary feel and had different styles throughout,” HIGH LIFE Rooms have been designed for easy living, he stressed. “We tend to spend most of our time in the snug or in the kitchen – we have our meals in the kitchen and there are also seats in there where we can sit and watch television,” he explained. Guests and members of the household alike can relax in any one of the five sumptuous bedroom suites. “The master bedroom is like a hotel suite. It has its own living area and en-suite dressing and bathrooms,” he said. “There is also a balcony from this room, which again has stunning views.” GREAT OCCASIONS The house, which flows over eight split levels, has been designed for entertaining as well as for family life. An indoor swimming pool features an underwater viewing area and an aquarium, and a cinema room has been fully fitted out with comfortable seating and state-of-the-art equipment. There is also a sauna, spa room and salon. The flow throughout the ground floor of the house lends itself to parties. Up to 14 people can be seated in the fabulous dining room, with its interior water feature. Far more can be entertained on grander occasions, moving smoothly through the splendid hall with its great glass chandelier on into the rest of the house. “There are cascading doors that can be opened right up for summer parties,” he said. “It is lovely being able to wander out there so easily.” 48 Fine Summer 2011
SOMETHING SPECIAL The magnificent terrace, with its barbecue area and fire pit is also wonderful on quieter occasions. Here the owners can sit quietly and soak up the view as the day draws to a close. “This is a wonderful place to relax,” he said. “We are very sad to be leaving after such a short time here but I have to move for work.” He added: “Living here is about the view and sense of space more than anything else. We are both from Nottingham and for us to find something like this was just incredible. “I cannot imagine there can be anywhere else where you can open your eyes in the morning to be greeted by the sun shining down on you and these beautiful views. It really is pretty special.”
“We were drawn to this house because it was unique really. Nothing like this has ever been built in Nottingham before.”
PROPERTY DETAILS Contemporary beauty is the hallmark of this unique home where the stunning mezzanine levels have been cleverly designed around a striking central hall to make the most of the unrivalled views. The accommodation includes five bedroom suites, expansive reception space, a home cinema and underground parking. Location Nottingham Price OIRO £2,999,500 Property type Magnificent family home Contact Homes in Nottinghamshire 0115 9814509
Summer 2011 Fine 49
MODERN THOROUGHLY
Magnificent new homes with glorious panoramic views or contemporary rebuilds featuring cutting edge design – perhaps it is time to step up to something special. With state-of-the-art technology, top quality eco features and the highest of specifications, Fine’s exclusive, contemporary properties offer the ultimate in 21st century living. From open plan houses featuring great walls of glass to outstanding homes with swimming pools, gyms and cinema rooms, these properties not only have awe-inspiring interiors but also offer truly unique lifestyles. If you have a contemporary home call Fine to find out how our unique marketing can help you sell your home. 37
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A unique seafront retreat featuring 11 luxury Grade II Listed Houses sympathetically restored to create spacious, contemporary, character-filled living with panoramic sea views. See our extended profile of these fabulous new homes in the next edition of the Fine magazine or call now for further details and launch date.
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The Officers’ Mess, The Garrison, Shoeburyness
Coffee on the balcony and champagne in the garden – the Lancaster Gardens home has been designed and built to offer a simply splendid lifestyle
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Wimbledon, £4,500,000 Homes in Greater London 020 3417 3845
...a selection of current Fine Contemporary Homes FAMILY DESIGN
With their fresh modern interiors, Atherton and Agarwood are the perfect marriage of sophistication, comfort and style for the discerning family Penn, £1,850,000 Homes in Buckinghamshire 01753 886177
FOREVER GREEN
We have the imagination if you do too
CASSINI ROYALE Ten balconies to take in the forest and river views, cutting edge design and latest technology pay dues to a fusion of classical and contemporary style, stunning “Cassini” is a home befitting any secret agent
Cutting edge architectural design, the very highest ecological standards and a magnificent, contemporary lifestyle – and all within a simply stunning setting
Evergreen Hill, Shotesham, £1,500,000 Homes in Norfolk 01603 622017
AT THE CUTTING EDGE
Ringwood, £1,750,000 Homes in Hampshire 01962 826050
CARIBBEAN QUEEN
REFLECTIONS OF THE PAST
£4,000,000 Rizz and Sabiha fell in love with the mature English garden – and then built a stunning, minimalist home from Germany on the site
£1,600,000 The owners of The Caimans admit they were blown away when they first saw the house, which boasts a stunning indoor pool and leisure area
POA A mirror image of the grand period home that once stood on the site, Horsley Hall is a modern palace of dreams complete with swimming pool, stables and two-bedroom lodge cottage
Homes in West Essex 020 85040977
Homes in Nottinghamshire 0115 9814509
Homes in Derbyshire 0115 9814509
REFLECTIONS OF GRANDEUR
CROWN PALACE
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
£2,999,500 From their magnificent home with its stunning, modern design they look out towards exquisite Wollaton Hall and its parkland, and watch the deer meandering out on the grass
£3,999,950 Set on the prestigious Crown Estate, the stunning Furze Field house is a veritable palace of exquisite design, incredible space and streaming natural light
£3,499,500 In a magnificent setting, in the heart of the undulating English countryside, the owner of Bohemia House created a stunning retreat where he could relax and make music
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LIVING ART
Her exquisite eight-bedroom period home has been the perfect place to hang her own colourful pieces and her careful dĂŠcor has made the house itself a work of art
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“As an artist I wanted a house that was very light but it was also important for me to have a bedroom that was filled with morning sunshine.”
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ainting out in the studio at her magnificent Edwardian home or relaxing in the garden and watching the sun go down, the artist owner still enjoys its beauty. From the impressive stained glass windows in its front door through to its high ceilings and detailed fireplaces, she has carefully combined period character with modern design. Beautifully proportioned rooms make wonderful spaces in which to welcome guests as well as to escape the rest of the world, while bathrooms and the kitchen embody striking modern features that add comfort as well as style. PICTURE OF BEAUTY Located in elegant Ealing, the imposing house is in an attractive, leafy area that is frequently featured as a backdrop for films and BBC television programmes. With a garden studio and a gym, it has been the perfect place for the owner to work, relax and stroll in the nearby parklands. “It is so green here and yet we are close to London. In a way it is like being in the countryside of London,” she said. LOVE OF LIGHT The owner was drawn to the light in the house, as well as its beauty. “As an artist I wanted a house that was very light but it was also important for me to have a bedroom that was filled with morning sunshine,” she explained. “Having a room like that is fantastic. I love having the warmth from when I wake up.” She went on: “I love
my bedroom, with its en-suite bathroom and dressing room. It is like having a private apartment within the house.” SOUND OF LAUGHTER With three teenagers and frequent house guests, it was important to have enough room for everyone to spread out, she explained. “It is ideal because we can be together here or we can spend time alone. When the children were growing up we never knew how many people might be sleeping here – friends would come to stay and they would bring their children. But there was always room and never too much noise. Guests could have their own floor when they stayed,” she continued. And she added: “This house has always been a very happy place, full of artists and entertaining has been fun. In fact, the kitchen at this house was made for entertaining.” AN OPEN BOOK The house has also offered plenty of space for the family to follow their individual pursuits. With two libraries they have been able to indulge in their love of books to the full. And with garden studios at the Ealing house, as well as her main studio, which is located elsewhere, the owner has been able to paint at home as the mood takes her. “It has been fantastic for me having them there but these could be used for all sorts of things by someone else,” she pointed out. Summer 2011 Fine 53
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“It has been a wonderful place for us to live and a fantastic place for friends and artists to come to visit us.” LONDON LIVING The family have now spent 14 years in their West London home. They still love its roaring fires during the winter months and its sunny, light-filled rooms all year round – and they relish its proximity to the centre of London. But the owner has now decided she wants to keep a horse, and so needs to move to a home that comes with land. “I will miss being in London, and I will miss this house,” she said. “It has been a wonderful place for us to live and a fantastic place for friends and artists to come to visit us.”
ABOUT THIS LOCATION LEAFY LIVING West London is known for its many parks and gardens, the most famous of which are probably Richmond Park and Kew Gardens. Throughout its history, the Royal Botanic Gardens, has made important contributions to increasing the understanding of the plant life of the world. Today it remains a scientific institution, as well as a fascinating place to visit. Its glass houses contain plants from across the world and its arboretum is home to some of the finest and oldest specimens of trees. ON SCREEN The streets and houses of Ealing are familiar to many as backdrops for some of Britain’s best loved films. Ealing Studios is, in fact, the oldest continuously working film studio in the world. Its stages and offices are steeped in history and the Ealing comedies of the 1950s, starring the likes of Alec Guinness and Peter Sellars, are still considered a high point of British cinema.
PROPERTY DETAILS Brimming with period features, including high ceilings, beautiful fireplaces and cornice work, The Artists’ House is a striking eight-bedroom period home set in a highly desirable location. Outside there are private west-facing gardens, a garage and two garden rooms currently used as a gym and studio.
Location Ealing Price Guide Price £2,600,000 Property type Detached period property Contact Homes in London 01753 886177 Summer 2011 Fine 55
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ENTERTAINMENT It took a year of searching but when they saw gracious and imposing Grays Park House they realised it had huge potential and would be ideal for entertaining
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rom the first sighting of horses grazing in the field the owners of Grays Park House knew they had come home. Determined to find a property that would suit their lifestyle, the elegant early 1910 country home just seemed to be waiting for them. “This is an entertaining house – and we saw the potential in it immediately. We knew we could make it the way we wanted it,” said the owner. Now, as well as finding it ideal for entertaining, the owners have made it into a substantial and stylish eight-bedroom family home, complete with indoor swimming pool, cinema room and self-contained studio flat. “It’s a lovely, cosy home, despite its grand proportions,” she said. “Everybody who comes here says they don’t want to go home.”
“We love to go into the cinema room and just chill. It can comfortably seat about 10 people.” Summer 2011 Fine 57
CHAMPAGNE MOMENTS Central to the owners’ lifestyle is entertaining friends and family, and this eight-bedroom property, with a speciallydesigned party room and indoor swimming pool, along with gracious lawns, is a party paradise. “We’ve had many wonderful gatherings here,” she said. “When my daughter married we did the whole thing at home. We had about 250 guests in the party room with a band. Her engagement party in the summer, with the same number of people, was also here.” SHIELD OF DREAMS Grays Park House, with its high-ceilinged rooms and many beautifully-proportioned French windows is a home to be treasured. The owners have retained several original features to create an elegant overall impression. “We tried to keep as much as possible. There’s lots of charm here. We have kept the beautiful old fireplaces in each room,” she said. “And the coat of arms in the central pane of the original windows in the drawing room used to belong to a lord.”
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24-CARAT LUXURY The drawing room has a breathtaking air of gracious magnificence. Three 24-carat, gold plated Swarovski crystal chandeliers hang from the high ceilings and bespoke, handmade drapes adorn the small-paned French windows, which allow natural light to sweep into the room. “As you walk in there is a bar, and the sun pours in. We do a lot of entertaining here. It’s a truly lovely, airy room; it’s wonderful to have lots of people in here and it leads into the dining room which has a fourth Swarovski chandelier,” she added. GOLDEN SUN Granite and premier quality tiles characterise the two kitchens. The owner just loves life in the main kitchen. “It’s a cream and country kitchen with black granite throughout. This is the one we use for entertaining. We have had loads of interesting conversations here with family and friends,” she explained. Gleaming black designer stools placed round the central island lend themselves to a relaxed ambience. “The other day we had 30 people round to dinner and everyone ended up sitting in the kitchen having tea or coffee,” she added. The owners have fulfilled part of their dream by adding five bedrooms and five bathrooms. “These bedrooms are all flooded with light. They are big and airy, and have a truly lovely atmosphere,” she said. “The sun moves round the house throughout the day.” Complementing the living accommodation is a studio flat for staff. TOUCH OF GLAMOUR Grays Park House undoubtedly has the air of a Hollywood mansion about it. From the broad paved drive, bounded by sweeping lawns, up to the colonnaded entrance, the property exudes an air of exclusivity. “This is a very private home. We have almost two acres and it is quiet and calm. In the summer especially it is so beautiful and we have loved living here,” she said. “We’ll miss this house, of course, especially because of the many memories of the happy parties we’ve had here.”
PROPERTY DETAILS Grays Park House is an imposing and impressive home set within beautiful grounds of 1.8 acres (STMS). The spacious living areas include eight bedrooms, seven bathrooms, two kitchens and a cinema room. Additionally, there is a studio flat for staff and a leisure complex with indoor swimming pool, sauna and a party room with a dance floor and bar. Location Stoke Poges Price £2,500,000
Property type Detached Family Home Contact Homes in Buckinghamshire 01753 886177
“This is an entertaining house, we saw the potential in it. We knew we could make it the way we wanted it.”
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THE
SPLENDOUR ROSE OF THE
It was 10 years ago that they bought Rosefield, drawn to the location by the sea and the countryside, since then they have renovated it and watched it come into full bloom
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wimming in the pool with the family or playing tennis with friends on a summer’s afternoon – the owners of Rosefield have watched their house become a beautiful home that brings great enjoyment to all. They first came to the Lymington area for their love of sailing but quickly decided they wanted to spend more time here. Finding a sizeable house, however, was not easy. “There were just not many properties of this size around,” remembered one of the owners. Eventually, however, he found
Rosefield and following a huge renovation project, it became their perfect home – a super family base and a wonderful entertaining house. “It took about 18 months before we were able to sit down with a glass of champagne and celebrate the fact it was finished,” he said. “But now we love the space - it is a massive house – and the fantastic indoor swimming pool” he added. “The National Park setting is also wonderful. We are in a green belt area and have lovely views across the fields opposite.”
“It took about 18 months before we were able to sit down with a glass of champagne and celebrate the fact it was finished.” Summer 2011 Fine 61
“The National Park setting is also wonderful. We are in a green belt area and have lovely views across the fields opposite.�
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GREAT SPACES Although the exterior of the house retains its traditional style, they were keen to create a more stylish, contemporary interior, with neutral walls, wooden floors and sunken ceiling lights. “We have a massive L-shaped kitchen, which is where we do tend to spend most of our time,” he said. “There is an AGA in there and we have a nice seating area. But this is one of those houses where you can go off to be on your own if you want to as well. I can go off to my office or the library. The boys used to go off to their playroom or to the cinema room.” He added: “The children used to get up every morning to swim before school and would be in the water as soon as they returned home too.” ON SCREEN In fact, he suggested, the cinema room has been fun for all the family. It has been good for watching films together but also a great space to share with friends. “I sometimes have a few of my mates over to watch the big sporting events and my son and his friends are often in there watching MTV. They can play music and watch films without disturbing the rest of us and can also have access to the garden,” he said. Bedrooms in the house have been well-designed to give family and guests their own space too. The master bedroom, with its private balcony is a favourite. “It is beautiful. On nice days, we sit out on the balcony by the bedroom and can see the Isle of Wight. On warm nights, we leave the balcony doors open,” he said. SUPERB PARTIES From the office built above the garage through to the unusually deep, indoor, heated swimming pool, the house has been carefully planned to meet the family’s every need. “This has also been a great party house for all of us,” he said. “We have had lots of fabulous parties here – with music and everyone outside. Because we have such a good barbecue area and can access the swimming pool from the garden, it works really well.” He added: “We threw an unbelievable 50th birthday party here, where we put a marquee up right across the tennis court.” SPACE TO PLAY Weekends spent playing tennis on the court or playing “children against adults” football matches, and afternoons delighting in sailing out from Lymington or exploring the area on horseback – the owners will take lots of happy memories with them when they leave Rosefield. “I have so enjoyed having all this space – having the room to keep three old Porches here, for example, has been wonderful,” he said. “I will miss that when we go, but I will also miss the comfort we have here, the fact that despite all the space there is, this is such a great family home too.”
PROPERTY DETAILS Set amid 2.5 Acres (STMS) of grounds is this impressive family home, offering four bedrooms, two further bedrooms on the ground floor and a fabulous swimming pool complex. The current owners have extended the property retaining the quality and character of the original house. Location Buckland Price Guide Price £2,300,000
Property type New Forest family home Contact Homes in Hampshire 01962 826050
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CREST OF A WAVE Inspired by a spectacular seafront location overlooking the Thames Estuary, Perry and Jacqui created a dazzling six-bedroom home
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rinking in the view from one of the terraces or taking a dip in the indoor pool – Perry and Jacqui have found Lodwick to be everything they dreamed it would be. When a seafront property with a large, south-facing garden came on the market, the couple spotted the opportunity to build a glamorous new home, with an office in the grounds. He added: “We have terraces and balconies on all four storeys – there’s great outside space. We’ve fantastic views from all levels.” INSPIRED IDEAS Perry runs a property company and his team of builders completed Lodwick about four years ago. “Outside, the house is a modern take on the Edwardian style, but internally it is more contemporary,” he added. The owners paid meticulous attention to the choice of materials and fixtures, and the standard of finish. “My wife spent a lot of time on the detailing – particularly on the bathrooms and kitchen,” he explained. The impressive staircase has toughened glass and stainless steel balustrades, and custom-made zebrano veneer doors have been matched with powder-coated steel frames. The result is a chic, contemporary interior with fluid living space that’s complemented by Rako mood lighting throughout and a multi-room, audio-visual system with Creston controls. There’s also underfloor heating throughout and Daikin hot and cold concealed air conditioning in most rooms. An internal phone system enables easy communication throughout the substantial property. Summer 2011 Fine 65
TREASURE ISLAND The kitchen and breakfast area, with its striking red door fronts and curvaceous design – is truly cutting edge. “My wife loves the kitchen and breakfast area. Jacqui took a long time pondering the look of the kitchen and it is really funky,” Perry observed. At the heart of the kitchen – designed by Paul Marazzi – is a semicircular island that wraps around the cook. The appliances – including Sub-Zero fridge freezers, twin Wolf ovens, warmer drawers, steamer, griddle and five ring gas hob – are state-of-the-art. It’s easy to flow from the kitchen into the stylish drawing room, perfectly complemented by the owner’s de Sede sofa. “It’s open to the kitchen and breakfast room and there are etched, glazed sliding doors so the drawing room can also be separated. But we tend to have it open most of the time,” Perry said. Apart from in the formal dining room, beautiful polished travertine stone flooring has been laid throughout the ground floor.
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GOLD COAST The bedrooms are arranged over the two top floors and the master suite is particularly luxurious. Its glamorous bathroom features a Boffi swim bath. “Our bathroom is very smart with dark wood and dark and light tiles,” he added. All five bedrooms have their own individually-designed and fully-tiled bathrooms, so there’s ample room for the couple’s teenage son and older daughter, as well as overnight guests. “The three principal bedrooms are all south-facing. You see some great sunsets and sunrises. It’s like being on holiday when you wake up and look out over this fantastic view,” he said.
AMAZING SPACE Downstairs, a fantastic leisure and entertainment space has been created and this is Perry’s favourite spot. “Personally, I like the lower ground floor den, TV room and bar,” he said. The oak veneer bar was custom-built and has chiller cabinets, a glass washer and sink. A glazed wall separates this space from the pool and steam room area and a natural slate floor has been laid throughout. “Sitting on a bar seat looking into the pool room, it looks like one massive area,” he explained. “It is a fantastic house for entertaining. We’ve got glazed doors on the lower ground floor that look over a terrace and you can have them fully opened.”
PROPERTY DETAILS An individually designed detached Marine home situated in one of the area’s most prestigious locations overlooking the Thames Estuary. Boasting stunning elevations, the equally beautiful interiors include six bedrooms, five bathrooms, three reception rooms, a stunning open plan kitchen, three balconies and an indoor infinity edge swimming pool complex with leisure area and bar.
Location Shoeburyness Price OIEO £2,250,000 Property type Detached Marine Home Contact Homes in Essex 01702 826037
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barcelona k City Brea
BARCELONA HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED A POPULAR EUROPEAN CITY BREAK DESTINATION. THE HOT WEATHER, LIVELY NIGHTLIFE AND CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE COAST DRAWS SCORES OF HOLIDAY MAKERS EACH SUMMER. 68 Fine Summer 2011
The Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s legacy & symbol of Barcelona
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View over the city from the mosaic terrace of Park Güell
See old and new collide amongst the various city quarters and follow the twisted back streets as they back out onto post-modern boulevards
The lively Las Ramblas area
orget a weekend stop-off and instead take a fortnight to uncover the beauty and curiosity of this Spanish city. Meet the people; dine in fine restaurants and party along the infamous city strip. Why not unwind on a lounger by the Mediterranean Sea or sail off the north east coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Barcelona is characterised by its Catalonian culture – see old and new collide amongst the various city quarters and follow the twisted back streets as they back out onto post-modern boulevards. SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS The most iconic symbol of Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia, a monumental Roman Catholic Church and UNESCO World Heritage Site famously incomplete due to the untimely death of its architect Antoni Gaudí in 1926. Since then a team of designers including sculptor Josep M Subirachs worked to finish elements of the structure and now the Nave, Crypt and Museum are open to the public. Climb the steep stairwell to the
Passion and Nativity Towers for an unrivalled view out over Barcelona. Las Ramblas is divided into five areas and forms part of Barcelona’s old town where 19th century markets once stood. This is a lively district and is popular with tourists for its small stalls and street performers including musicians and living statues. An afternoon is well spent at the nearby Boqueria Market for the wonderful smells and colourful sights. Chat with the stall owners and barter for anything from fruit and vegetables to takeaway tapas. Counting medieval buildings, cobbled paths and an impressive watchtower amongst its architecture, take a walk around the Gothic quarter and see La Plaça del Rei, Saló del Tinell and the Saint Agata Chapel. For a taste of modern day Barcelona head to La Ribera also known as El Born. Although some of the city’s traditional buildings are located here it is considered a fashionable yet authentic district, as designer boutiques sit alongside violin-makers and glass blowing studios. Palau Musica Catalana a grand concert hall is found here and is home to Orfeó Catala a prestigious musical institution. On entering the lobby visitors will be struck by the sculptures depicting Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries. Classical concerts performed by touring orchestras are scheduled at various intervals throughout the year. La Barceloneta or small Barcelona was first established as an industrious port in the 17th century. In days gone by this was a bustling district of fishermen and sailors, now this stretch of coastline provides a welcome sun spot for the city dweller. What better way to end the working day but by the Mediterranean Sea? Many seafood restaurants line this area and not only offer the freshest fish but remarkable vistas of the Iberian Peninsula. Summer 2011 Fine 69
HIDDEN GEMS For travellers who like to immerse themselves within the heart of their chosen destination wander around the Barrio Gotico, a labyrinth of cobbled back streets. This rabbit warren of twists and turns appeals to the curious traveller as the window displays and doorways lead to forgotten cafés and dusty bookshops. For the intrepid culinary adventurer this is where you will find the most authentic cuisine. Listen for music from behind unmarked doors - try hard enough and you may find Mariachi-considered almost mythical this expertly hidden bar is owned by musician Manu Chao. The sharp shots, heady beats and lively crowd ensure its worth tracking down, as is the occasional impromptu gig. By day the neon lights and music fades as residents and local traders go about their day. This is the perfect time to browse around for souvenirs of your trip. Chocolate is usually considered a Swiss and Belgian export but Spain offers up its own delicacies. Blended with spice and herbs Barcelona chocolate shops are famed for their churros- a small seasoned donut dipped in a glass of thick melted chocolate. EAT AND DRINK In recent years Spanish cuisine has grown in reputation across the continent, with many restaurants serving up their own version of tapas. Dismiss what you know up until now and sample a true taste of Catalonia from Barcelona’s best dining venues.
In recent years Spanish cuisine has grown in reputation across the continent, with many restaurants serving up their own version of tapas.
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Cal Pep is a great choice for seafood enthusiasts, book ahead to secure your table as this venue is first choice for those who have harboured their yacht in the nearby marina. The menu boasts over 70 types of tapas ranging from vegetable, meats and fish plates. One of the most creative elements of this restaurant is how the catch of the day influences the theme of the evening. Squid or swordfish, langoustines or shellfish all dishes are framed within the richest mediterranean flavours. If style is your concern then be seen dining at the minimalist Alkimia. Located behind the Sagrada Familia this chic restaurant is renowned for its celebrity chef. Jordi Vilà a student of world famous Catalan chef Ferran Adrià presides over the menu and adds colourful bursts of unusual ingredients to traditional Spanish meals. The result is a fusion of old and new that appeals to contemporary food lovers. For a taste of luxury then dine at King Juan Carlos’ favourite restaurant in Barcelona. Ca l’Isidre, named after the owner, offers a marvellous mix of Catalan recipes inspired by French ingredients. Order a sumptuous dish of veal with chick peas or sample fried salty codfish with white beans. The wine list has been selected by a dedicated sommelier who’ll present the best glass to complement your palate.
See Gaudí inspired design, taste genuine Spanish tapas and dip your toes in the Mediterranean Sea
Casa Milà better known as La Pedrera is another of Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces
Los Caracoles is one of the oldest family run establishments in Barcelona and a favourite with Spanish celebrities. The centrally located kitchen is a chaotic focal point and the shouts from within give a sense of the passion that goes into the creation of each meal. The signature dish, snails, is also the restaurant’s namesake and remains one of the most ordered items on the menu. NIGHTLIFE Some areas of Barcelona only come to life at night- an indication of how good the dark hours can be. The Catalan people work on a different schedule from other Europeans and thus when many are headed back to the hotel to rest their weary head; the party is just getting started in the city. Eat late, drink until the early hours and then hit the dance floor. El Ravel is one of the liveliest areas for young crowds and has a great mix of late night cafés, beer halls and chocolaterias. Grab a table in a coctelerias and watch trained bar staff perform an outlandish display of cocktail mixing. However, even the wildest party goers may have met their match at Bar Marsella on Carrer De Sant Pau- located just off the main drag you can order whatever you like as long as it includes absinthe. For a little exclusivity turn your back on the crowds and enter the Sutton Club, one of the most glamorous nightclubs in Barcelona.
Dress to dazzle, book a booth and rub shoulders with the fashionistas, sports stars and the occasional Hollywood starlet. Sala Razzmatazz is widely regarded as the best music venue in all of Barcelona for its diversity. Providing 5 separate nightclubs under one roof including Razz Club, Lolita, The Pop Room, The loft and The Rex Room it appeals to a wide variety of musical persuasions. From live events, one off concerts and themed parties Sala Razzmatazz is renowned throughout all of Spain. Before the night draws to a close be sure to stop off at nearby Rambla del Ravel to watch those uninhibited enough to climb the giant bronze cat sculpture- locals claim that those who can scale it unaided will receive good fortune.
Undoubtedly a vibrant destination, Barcelona therefore appeals to all types of tourists- from lovers of architecture and history to sun worshippers and those who enjoy the pace of city life. Tour the different districts to get a feel for the Catalonian culture, see Gaudí inspired design, taste genuine Spanish tapas, dip your toes in the Mediterranean Sea and lose yourself amongst the paved alleys of the old town. Choose Barcelona for its remarkable variety and you’re guaranteed to be enchanted.
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FAMILY DESIGN
With their fresh modern interiors, Atherton and Agarwood offer the perfect marriage of sophistication, comfort and style for the discerning family.
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“The properties have been finished to a high specification throughout, with bespoke fittings and attention to detail, perfect for modern family life.”
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et on wonderful half acre plots in the semi-rural tranquillity of Penn, Buckinghamshire, Atherton and Agarwood are an exclusive, new development from respected local company Bellwood Homes. The properties have all the hallmarks that would be expected from such prestigious new homes, including luxuriously appointed rooms, state-of-the-art technology and impeccable design details and finishes. Their design centres on five stunning reception rooms, which feature open plan, split level layouts and include stylish drawing and media rooms. On the second floor, are five tastefully appointed bedrooms, so there is plenty of space for everyone to enjoy. “These properties have been finished to a high specification, with bespoke fittings and attention to detail, making them perfect homes for modern family life,” states Bellwood Homes. “They are stunning houses, with cutting edge technology and bespoke finishes throughout - no detail has been overlooked. They really are homes for the future.” Summer 2011 Fine 73
“It’s a fabulous space, which provides a wonderful insight into the design and style details that have been incorporated throughout the property.”
ENTRANCE HALL ATRIUM The entrances to the homes lead into spacious split level reception halls, which would be wonderful places for drinks parties and receptions. Magnificent features of these rooms are the stunning glazed sections of walling, which allow views through to the dining hall beyond. On either side of the rooms, glazed doors give access into the kitchen and the drawing room. “These are fabulous spaces, which provide a wonderful insight into the design and style details that have been incorporated throughout the properties,” Bellwood Homes added. THE HEART OF FAMILY LIFE Leading from the reception hall in each house, is a gorgeous bespoke kitchen by Edwin Loxley. White cabinets in Atherton and walnut and maple finish in Agarwood set off by walnut pilasters, work surfaces and a breakfast bar. “The kitchens are superbly equipped and have been designed to be practical - but also very comfortable family spaces,” they added. From the kitchen, bespoke steps with glazed side panels lead up into the family sitting room. In each house, this is a cosy and comfortable
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room, which will be the perfect place for the family to relax and unwind after supper, or just catch up on the day’s events. “We know that casual and comfortable rooms are essential spaces for modern life and we wanted to create homes that were truly comfortable.” ELEGANCE AND STYLE Each property has a spacious and bright layout and has reception rooms for formal dining and entertaining. The dining halls can comfortably seat 12 people and beyond them are the drawing rooms. Light floods
into the kitchen and reception rooms thanks to the modern, glazed terrace doors, which allow the rooms to be opened up to the garden in the summer months. Terraces wrap around the house and in Atherton are finished with new railway sleepers that should weather over time to give a gently rustic appearance to the outside dining space. SPACE TO RETREAT The master bedroom suites are wonderful rooms that provide the perfect place to relax and unwind after a
long day. Each has a private balcony and also access to the large, first floor balcony, which is fully equipped with light and electricity, making it a lovely outdoor retreat. Stylish and well planned design details are apparent throughout the homes. These include the clever use of sun tubes and sophisticated digital lighting systems, which are fully programmable and allow for mood lighting to suit the occasion. They can even be turned on via the internet while travelling home. “The design team worked very hard to create very special homes and these little touches of style and character help to achieve that.”
PROPERTY DETAILS Enjoying a woodland setting, these stylish family homes will instantly impress. The interiors include five bedrooms, five reception rooms, a bespoke Edwin Loxley kitchen and a range of hi tech features, while outside there are beautiful landscaped gardens and detached double garages. Location Penn Price Guide price £1,850,000
Property type Choice of two new family homes Contact Homes in Buckinghamshire 01753 886177
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A NOBLE LIFE She was instantly mesmerised by the magnificent house and gardens that contain the two-storey, three-bedroom apartment she has tastefully transformed
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ituated within a Grade II Listed country home, Jennifer Lacoste’s magnificent apartment captures the essence of a grand lifestyle enjoyed by its owners some 200 years ago. Yet it also cleverly combines style and elegance with contemporary flair. “The whole place has a magical feel to it,” said Jennifer. “I love to have friends or family to stay so that they can just forget about everything and enjoy the magic.” The Mansion is situated in 12 acres of stunning parkland, including its own lake, and was converted into 27 luxury apartments in 2004. Accommodation within the three-bedroom apartment is spread over two floors, incorporating its own courtyard and terrace area as well as a mezzanine floor housing a library. “What I love about my apartment is that it has its own entrance which, although it is not the main entrance to the house, was the door that the family of the house once used,” she said.
“There are a number of shared facilities including a steam room, fully-equipped gymnasium and a tennis court.”
GRAND DESIGNS There has been a grand house on the site of The Mansion since 1720 when John Bridges built a house in the classical style. Journalist and author of Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe, is understood to have visited the house and declared it “splendid” and said hardly any other house near London offered such fine accommodation. That house, however, was destroyed by fire in the 1870s, but it was rebuilt in 1873 after being designed by Edward Middleton Barry, the third son of Sir Charles Barry, the architect responsible for the Houses of Parliament. Since moving into the apartment seven years ago, Jennifer has made a number of changes to her home, including installing the mezzanine floor and a spiral staircase to accommodate a small, but well-stocked library. “I opened it up downstairs to make an access for Summer 2011 Fine 77
the little courtyard garden,” she explained. “You can reach this through the third bedroom, which I tend to use as my own personal sitting room, where I have also created a super office area.”
room,” she continued. She also has a number of original artworks done by Brighton-based artist Pearl Bates in some of the rooms, which add to the drama of the property.
A ROYAL TOUCH The main living area of the apartment is on the ground floor, and comprises a kitchen dining room, drawing room and the mezzanine floor. Downstairs there are three bedrooms all with ensuites. Jennifer has enhanced the splendour of the apartment with her interior design choices, which have included installing two fireplaces. There is a Louis XVI-style, demi-lune fireplace in the drawing room and in the master bedroom she has placed a Louis XVI white marble fireplace. The apartment boasts many original features, including high ceilings and cornices and large sash windows. “All the original shutters on the windows are still in place and make the apartment cosy in winter and cool in summer,” she said.
The fabulous pistachio kitchen with its island and black work surfaces has been given splashes of vibrant colours through the pink seats of the high stools and the bright, orange bin. “Having French ancestry, I do tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It is a very light, bright room and I have two tables situated underneath the window, where I like to work or just to sit and chat with visitors,” she said. “The drawing room is used daily too and many people who stay with me like to go up the spiral staircase, choose a book and either snuggle down in there or go out to the terrace.”
ART AND COLOUR “I have chosen soft creams and whites for the walls and apart from the kitchen all the floors are covered in a specially commissioned carpet, which changes shade according to the light in a particular
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WARM HOME The tall ceilings pose no problem for large Christmas trees each year, Jennifer orders one that is at least 20ft high. “It is a happy place to live,” she said. “There is real warmth about the place and I will leave here with some very fond, much enjoyed memories.” She added: “It has been a special place for me, but I have a wandering spirit and I feel it’s time for a change now.”
“Having French ancestry, I do tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It is a very light and bright room.” PROPERTY DETAILS
Situated amid 12 acres (STMS) of stunning parkland this grand apartment forms part of a Grade II Listed country mansion. The interiors include three bedrooms, an impressive drawing room and a courtyard garden. Within the grounds there are picturesque lakeside walks, a tennis court and a leisure suite.
Location Cobham Price Guide Price £1,875,000 Property type Apartment in Grade II listed building Contact Homes in Surrey 01932 576600
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“When we saw the house we realised it was obviously steeped in history, but more than anything, there was this overwhelming sense of family and fun.� 80 Fine Summer 2011
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QUEEN’S JEWELS A fabulous treasure in its own right, historic Catsfield Place was where a Princess was once sent to hide Marie Antoinette’s jewels during the French Revolution
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t has been the seat of lords and ladies and it has played a role in a great episode of European history – but for the owners of Catsfield Place, it is home. It was almost seven years ago now that the current owners stepped through the front door of the house that is believed to date back to the 17th Century. “When I walked in I had this real sense of it being a family home. We are a large family – we have five children – and I knew straight away that this house would accommodate us well,” she said. Since then, the seven-bedroom house has been renovated throughout, with original features accentuated and modern day additions brought in or enhanced. Today, as well as
the separate cottage and guest annexe, and office and media areas, the family relish their indoor pool, sauna, spa pool, bar and games area and party room. “When we saw the house we realised it was obviously steeped in history, but more than anything, there was this overwhelming sense of family and fun,” she added. AT HOME WITH HISTORY There are several dates carved into the huge fireplaces and other features in the house. One, 1675, appears in an impressive staircase, which is believed to have come from Hampton Court Palace. “On one of the several
huge fireplaces in the reception rooms is the date 1685 and the letters NP. These are the initials of Sir Nicholas Pelham who used to live here, although it also used to be the seat of Lady Pilkington,” she said. “It is thought, however, that the house probably goes back to the early 1600s.” But perhaps the most colourful episode from the Grade II Listed property’s past was when Princess Lamballe, one of Marie Antoinette’s ladies in waiting, was sent to Catsfield Place, in 1791, with the Queen’s jewels. She was to give them to Lady Gibbs for safe keeping. Marie Antoinette was executed in 1792, and her jewels were never recovered. The original safe, which was used for the treasure is still in Catsfield Place. Summer 2011 Fine 81
“We have our own little ‘pub,’ which has been great for parties. We also have a disco or party room, with a dance floor, where we spend a lot of time entertaining friends and family.”
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CHIC UNIQUE While many of the character features were evident as soon as the owners stepped into the house, others were hidden at the time. “But I had a vision straight away of how we could refurbish the house,” said the owner. “I wanted to take it right back to the original features. It had been changed and added to over the years. At one point it was a school, and at another a bed and breakfast.” Rooms were large and the ceilings were high for such an old house, and there was a lot of light throughout. So slowly, room by room, they began rediscovering its period character. “We took up carpets in several rooms to reveal original Victorian tiles, flagstones and pine floors. I then redecorated rooms in an eclectic and sometimes flamboyant style that seemed to suit the house.”
of furniture and furnishings for the unique house. Today one of her most favoured spaces is the panelled drawing room, with its dark walls, inglenook fireplace and sumptuous seating: “It is beautiful – we have our baby grand in there. We do like to sit in there after dinner to have a brandy,” she said. The L-shaped formal dining room is another favourite. This seats 20 and is decorated with exquisite Nina Campbell wallpaper.
PARTY PALACE With five teenagers growing up at the house, Catsfield Place has been the ultimate party home over the years. “It has been wonderful being able to have all these parties. The house is set far back from the road, and we are very private, which means we can enjoy all the barbecues and summer garden events we tend to have, as well as the children’s parties,” she said. “I also cook a lot and we give BY DESIGN great dinner parties.” But, she said, what they have loved The owner spent two years visiting antique and charity shops, and researching designers to find just the right styles above all else about the house has been its welcoming
atmosphere. “I have travelled and lived all over the world, and the thing that stands out for me about this house, is the overwhelming sense of ‘home’ it gives you,” she explained. “It is this that I will miss most about it, but with all my children now grown up and leaving home, I would love another family to enjoy it as much as we have.” LEISURE TIME The superb leisure opportunities offered at Catsfield Place are second to none. “We have our own little ‘pub,’ which has been great for parties. We also have a disco or party room, with a dance floor, were we spend a lot of time entertaining friends and family,” She added: “The pool area and the tennis courts have also been wonderful for us. My family play a lot of tennis, which is why we restored the original tennis courts when we moved here.” The house also has a guest annexe, where visitors can stay, and an office complex. Next to this area there is a separate twobedroom cottage and a media room.
PROPERTY DETAILS This stunning 17th Century family home is set in a private location with elevated countryside views and extensive ancillary accommodation. There are seven bedrooms, six principal reception rooms, an outstanding leisure complex, office suite, two annexes, multiple garaging and 3 acres (STMS) of grounds including two tennis courts.
Location Near Battle Price £1,750,000 Property type 17th Century Home Contact Homes in East Sussex 01892 458931
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the course of
true love THEIR LOVE OF ELIZABETHAN ARCHITECTURE AND THE INCREDIBLE HISTORY OF THE 1534 PROPERTY WHERE SHAKESPEARE ONCE STAYED TEMPTED THEM TO MAKE THE BEAUTIFUL HOUSE THEIR HOME 84 Fine Summer 2011
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n his travels between London and Stratford-upon-Avon, England’s most famous poet and playwright would frequently rest at a coaching inn at Grendon Underwood. Still bearing the name of The Bard, the exquisite Elizabethan house is today home to interior designers Roy Elsbury and Nick Hunter. Together they have completely renovated the Grade II* Listed building, which dates back to 1534 and still bears many of its beautiful features, and have brought in decoration and furnishings that have breathed life back into the property while also adding sumptuous comfort. “This house has such a lot of history. It was originally about three times as large as it is now and Shakespeare stayed here on several occasions,” said Roy. “It is also said that he gained inspiration for A Midsummer Night’s Dream from the woods near here – and possibly wrote some of it while he was staying.”
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HISTORY BY DESIGN Already living in the area, the couple knew of the house, with its timber frame and mullioned windows, and were quick to buy it when they heard it was available. “We like Elizabethan architecture and this was an incredible example. Since we have owned it, over the past seven or eight years, we have done a huge amount to it - all in keeping with the fabric of the old building,” he explained. Work included re-panelling rooms, laying floors and integrating former outbuildings to create a stunning new kitchen. The couple also used their design skills to create a series of magnificent interiors that enhanced the wonderful house. “We think part of the house is probably Georgian. This had fewer original features than the Elizabethan section but we did try to put features back in throughout where they might have once been,” he said. “We like a mixture of old and new styles – classic and contemporary – and that seems to have worked well.”
“We like a mixture of old and new styles – classic and contemporary – and that seems to have worked well.” 86 Fine Summer 2011
WHAT LIGHT Today, the hallway is a large, light, open space with an inglenook fireplace and marble floor, which has been decorated in black and white. In sharp contrast, the stairwell to the house features richer colour. Here, a Jacobean, dark wood staircase and exposed beaming have been accentuated with a deep red. Elsewhere in the house more muted period colours have been brought in. In the drawing room, for example, a very neutral backdrop has been created for the plush furnishings. “The drawing room is lovely,” said Roy. “It is a very large room with a nice fireplace.”
PROPERTY DETAILS With links to the great William Shakespeare, this stunning Grade II* Listed home is set in beautiful landscaped gardens approaching 1.38 acres (STMS) and boasts views across the neighbouring countryside. Steeped in history, the part Elizabethan, part Georgian house has been lovingly restored and offers seven bedrooms, five bathrooms and multiple reception rooms.
Location Grendon Underwood Price Guide Price £1,500,000 Property type Grade II* Listed house Contact Homes in Buckinghamshire 01908 969129
FOOD OF LOVE The wonderful dining room is equally grand with its panelled walls and inglenook fireplace. Decorated in a beautiful Chinese blue, its centre piece is a splendid dining table. “This is a very sumptuous room, which is fantastic for entertaining. It looks particularly wonderful when the candles are lit,” he said. “We can seat 16 people comfortably round the table in there.” In contrast to the overwhelming historic feel of the older reception space, the recently created kitchen has eye-catching modern appeal. Carefully designed to offer contemporary style and comfort, while also sitting easily within the Elizabethan house, it features hand-crafted oak cabinets. “This is a rather beautiful room, and a wonderful place to sit in,” he said. “We usually eat in here, using the dining room on more formal occasions.” PERCHANCE TO DREAM Upstairs, where The Bard may well once have sat at a desk with his quill, the opulent country house style continues, with fabulous fabrics teamed up with carefully chosen pieces of furniture, set against beamed walls and stripped wooden floors. “The master bedroom is double aspect, which is rather nice, and it has a beautiful bathroom attached to it,” he said. Roy and Nick have relished every moment at Shakespeare House but now they are ready to open a new chapter in their lives and plan to move abroad. “We will miss the character this house has,” said Roy. “We do adore everything about it. It has been lovely spending time here, enjoying the rooms and sitting by beautiful log fires.”
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THE lIVING IS eASY
It embodies grandeur, history and character yet, above all, its relaxed ambiance and sensible layout makes daily life and entertaining effortless
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“It is a beautiful house. When you close your eyes and imagine a country house, you imagine this house.”
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usy in the kitchen, preparing supper to enjoy with friends in her atmospheric dining room, the owner of Pembridge House knows exactly why she loves her home. She has always relished the way her sixbedroom, Grade II listed country house feels at ease with itself, creating a haven for cosy nights as well as being a superb venue for large, elaborate parties. It is an appealing house, she said. Its attractive mix of beautiful architecture and historical features - from flagstones and fireplaces, to beams and wooden shutters, creates a grand, but also homely feel. It also has the added bonus of rooms in the attic and a two-bedroom holiday cottage in the grounds. “It is a beautiful house. When you close your eyes and imagine a country house, you imagine this house. It’s a big house, but it’s so friendly. As soon as I walked in the door I knew I could live here,” she said. AN IDEAL SETTING The owner has always loved larger homes with plenty of character, lots of light and good-sized rooms, she explained. “This is a very generous house,” she added. With an exceptional Victorian style hand-built farmhouse kitchen overlooking the garden, ideal for lingering over coffee, welcoming visitors in is easy. “It is a brilliant kitchen with everything you need. It has large doors too, big enough to roll a cider barrel through, apparently,” she said, confiding that leaning against the warm Rayburn range adds to the ambience. It has been a perfect home for entertaining on a larger scale too. Here she has held village harvest suppers, as well as parties for several dozen people. The 17th century dining room is the ideal setting for smart dinners. “It has big dark oak beams and, with candles and the inglenook fireplace, as well as the feel of it, it is a wonderful place to eat,” she said. “The house is very well laid out, at no point are you ever a million miles away from another room, so you are not running about with plates of food worrying it is going to get cold. You can entertain to your heart’s content.” Summer 2011 Fine 89
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HAVING A BALL The stunning Georgian drawing room is a particularly breathtaking part of the house. “You can have 100 people in there and it’s not crowded,” she said, delighting in its high ceilings, original shutters, fireplaces and intricate timberwork. While it is certainly large, there’s a romantic air too - while most of the ground floor has flagstones, there are floorboards in the drawing room - so it may once have been a ballroom. “It has beautiful proportions and incredibly high ceilings. It’s a beautiful room,” she adds. SECRET HIDEAWAY While there’s plenty of space throughout the house, from the airy library on the first floor with its fireplace and calm, historical feel, to the study and the impressive entrance hall, the owner loves to spend quiet afternoons in the attic, where she’s turned one area into a superb cinema room. “I do love the attic. It’s really peaceful and exceptionally large with three galleried rooms and two others. It feels secret, as you go through just one door and there’s almost another house.” She continued: “You could do an amazing amount with it. It could become a wonderful suite of rooms for a teenager, for guests or even staff. I love this house, it is lovely. It is well designed and it works so well for a family and for entertaining, and I do particularly feel the attic is just asking to be used.” LIGHT FANTASTIC The large country house is naturally so light. She has updated and renovated throughout to enhance this, as well as its sense of history. She has also added extra comforts and top quality décor using period shades from Farrow & Ball. “Because the house was built in different phases, you can enjoy the different styles,” she said. The bedrooms are particularly airy and have appealing spaces. “They are lovely rooms. It is so good to be able to give guests their own space,” she said. And she added: “This house is absolutely wonderful, but it’s now too large for me. I can imagine a family thoroughly enjoying it now.”
PEMBRIDGE COTTAGE The owner has converted the 17th Century, stone-built detached barn in the garden into a delightful two-bedroom holiday home, which has become a popular and romantic getaway for couples and keen walkers. It could be ideal for an extended family or perhaps a housekeeper, but with approximately 85 per cent occupancy, it also offers a worthwhile income, said the owner. “It is a very useful space,” she added. The cottage is designed to have a light, contemporary feel downstairs while upstairs the loft bedroom, with its sloping ceiling and exposed beams, is a delightful retreat for holidaymakers.
“Because the house was built in different phases, you can enjoy the different styles. The bedrooms are particularly airy and have appealing spaces.” PROPERTY DETAILS Surrounded by beautiful countryside, this impressive family home combines an opulent amount of space with flexible accommodation. There are six bedrooms, including two en-suites, six reception rooms, a library, two-bedroom staff/guest accommodation and a separate two-bedroom cottage within the formal grounds.
Location Welsh Newton Price £1,425,000
Property type Detached Country Home Contact Homes in Monmouthshire 01600 228101
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GARDEN OF EDEN With their lush green lawns and beautiful natural ponds, the glorious Capability Brown designed gardens at The White House were nothing less than a paradise 92 Fine Summer 2011
“Inside The White House, we were drawn to the gentle flow of the layout – the way the reception rooms led so well into one another.”
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alking down through the gardens towards the pretty ponds that run gently into one another, the owner of The White House reflects on the sheer beauty of his setting. Here, surrounded by magnificent gardens, his six-bedroom home, which has an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, has been renovated and turned into a haven of comfort from which to enjoy its stunning surroundings. “We just loved the wonderful gardens, with the beautiful green lawns, as soon as we saw them,” he remembered. “They were designed by Capability Brown and, after seeing them, I decided I wanted the house before I had even stepped inside it.” BEAUTIFUL SETTING Believed to date back to around 1889, it is thought The White House was one of the first properties to be built in Quarndon. “Quarndon is renowned for being one of the nicest villages in this area and for the good schooling,” he said. “This is a very attractive part of the world.” As well as its magnificent gardens, the interior of the house also had considerable appeal. “Inside The White House, we were drawn to the gentle flow of the layout – the way the reception rooms led so well into one another – as well as the sumptuous master suite, which includes its own sitting room,” he said. He added: “Here there are also doors on to a veranda and there is nothing we enjoy more than sitting out there looking out over the fabulous garden and wonderful parkland beyond.”
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“It is now a mixture of the modern and the traditional. It is an older house with a contemporary twist.�
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A CONTEMPORARY TWIST Since moving in 14 years ago, the owners have brought their own style and changes to their superb home. As well as enlarging the kitchen and adding a conservatory, they have also created extra space by building an extension on to the side of the house. “It is now a mixture of the modern and the traditional. It is an older house with a contemporary twist,” he pointed out. Favourite spaces in the house include the stunning kitchen. “The kitchen is a great family space and because it leads through to the conservatory we end up spending much of our time in there,” he said. “There is planning permission to extend the kitchen, which would make it fantastic.” PARTY PLACE With a dining room, games room and drawing room, among the other reception areas, The White House has
given the owners plenty of space for both family living and entertaining. “Some of the rooms are cosy, like the drawing room, which is great in winter. But this is a good party house too. With the lovely spaces downstairs and the way the house opens onto the terrace, allowing people to spill out, it has been wonderful. It is also ideal for dinner parties,” he said. In the summer, the swimming pool is uncovered, and is popular with visitors. All year round everyone loves the hot tub. “One of the nicest times to use the hot tub is on a winter’s night,” he admitted. ROOM WITH A VIEW The White House makes the most of its marvellous gardens, bringing views into rooms wherever possible. “The master suite is beautiful. It is wonderful to look out over the garden first thing in the morning, from there or from the veranda, especially when everything is just
beginning to come into bloom,” he said. “Beyond our garden is another six or seven acres of parkland garden belonging to someone else. It wraps round our garden and gives us even more privacy. This is all green belt land.” NATURAL COLOURS At the bottom of the garden, where the brook passes through on its way from the top of the village to a nearby lake, wildlife can often be spotted. “We see so many varieties of bird in this garden,” said the owner. “Some of them have the most outstanding, beautiful colours.” He went on: “We are going to miss all of this when we go. We love the house and the garden and have had some wonderful times here. But we have all this space and really do not use it all now like we used to. “It would be nice to see another family really making the most of it.”
PROPERTY DETAILS The White House is set in stunning gardens of 1.5 acres (STMS) with natural stream-fed ponds, an orchard, trailing weeping willows and a sun-bathed terrace in which is set a romanstyle swimming pool. Inside, the spacious interiors include five bedrooms, including a stunning master suite with balcony, five reception rooms, a gym and conservatory.
Location Quarndon Price OIRO £1,395,000 Property type Country Home Contact Homes in Derbyshire 0115 9814509
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DIVINE PROPOSITION The couple found the BEAUTIFUL Grade II Listed stone-built house is perfectly suited to its idyllic Peak District National Park setting
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“Guests love it. When people come and visit, they don’t want to leave, it’s a very warm and welcoming house.”
“With a lot of love and hard work, we’ve made it a perfect home that is truly special to us.”
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istening to birdsong on a sun-drenched terrace, Carole Baines wonders about the lives of all those who have called Church House their home over the centuries. The core of this exceptional four or five-bedroom family home dates back to the 1580s and it was substantially extended in the Georgian era. “We’ve never wanted to live in a new house and love the character and feel of this house, with its beams, shutters and window seats, and an oakpanelled dining room,” she said. “You know that it has all been here for centuries and you wonder about the lives of those who lived here before you.” THE WRITE STUFF Carole and her husband Alan have made fascinating discoveries that provide intriguing glimpses into this home’s past. “I once noticed some small initials – GG – scratched onto a little casement window which I hadn’t seen before. It must have been the light that day,” she explained. “I then discovered there was a 19th century tenant called George George – who was doubtless the graffiti artist!” She loves uncovering remnants from bygone days when gardening too: “We even found a beautifully crafted brass poker and a marble corbel from a fireplace. We saved them as they represent links with the past and continuity with the future.”
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SPICE OF LIFE The dining room is in the oldest part of the house and Carole said she felt “totally at home” here even as the removal men were unpacking around her. “I love that room and it’s perfect for Sunday lunches, supper parties and especially at Christmas – we have a big Christmas tree in the corner and swags of foliage along the huge beam on the inglenook, where there’s a wood-burning stove,” she said. “I love opening the spice cupboard in the dining room, closing my eyes and drinking in the scent of cloves and cinnamon.” A fireplace makes a lovely focal point in the drawing room, which also features fabulous exposed beams. And there’s also a little study off the hall. COUNTRY CHARACTER The rooms are mostly painted with shades chosen from a pale palette that emphasises the beauty of the exposed beams and heightens the house’s light, airy feel. Carole joked: “I’ve worked my way through the Farrow & Ball paint chart and could probably give a talk on their colour range!” She went on: “We wanted to preserve the character of the house, but give it a new lease of life. Davenport’s of Nottingham produced a kitchen which is exactly right, we think – large, bright and sunny with bags of character but totally functional.” OLD AND NEW The couple also had an Amdega garden room and glazed porch extension built in 2008. “The garden room is in use all year round and is so bright and sunny. The under-floor heating makes it cosy in winter and it gets the sun all day the rest of the year,” she said. She went on: “The views from there are lovely. Bi-fold doors can open the whole of the front on to the terrace immediately outside. It flows into the garden and into the rest of the house. “We have extended the terraces and love sitting there in the sunshine admiring the garden and views and listening to the birds.” A NEW DAWN With the house facing towards the rising sun, they have often pulled back their curtains to be greeted by a memorable sunrise. “We were drawn to the house by its character and setting. The sun streams in all morning at the front,” she added. The master suite has windows to the front and side of the house, with a dressing area that leads through to the en-suite bathroom. There are three further bedrooms on the first floor – one with an en-suite. And on the top floor is a further room, which is currently used as a study. Carole and Alan have treasured their time at Church House. “The house offered peace and privacy without being isolated. It has gorgeous, open views from every window, in every season of the year,” Carole concluded.
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“We have extended the terraces and love sitting there in the sunshine admiring the garden and views and listening to the birds.” BARNSTORMING Across the drive from the house, the large stone barn at Church House incorporates two stables, a single and double garage and storage space – including a large first floor storage room. There is also potential here – subject to planning permission – to create extra accommodation or office space. With one of the stables leading on to an area of hard standing in a paddock, and around 2.5 acres of pasture, this would clearly be perfect for anyone wishing to keep ponies. “We thought we might have donkeys one day, so the paddocks and two stables were ideal,” Carole said. “We do have two dogs, and did have sheep for a time in one of the paddocks.”
PROPERTY DETAILS This wonderful Grade II Listed period cottage is set within the Peak District National Park and enjoys superb far-reaching views to Thorpe Cloud. The interiors include four/ five bedrooms and four reception rooms while outside there are a range of stone outbuildings and 4.25 acres (STMS) of grounds.
Location Thorpe Price OIRO £1,150,000
Property type Period Cottage Contact Homes in Derbyshire 0115 9814509
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SPLENDOUR OF THE SEA
From their stunning position on the town’s most prestigious road, they enjoy the magnificence of the sea and the opulence and splendour of their unique home
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rom their house on Marine Parade, in Gorleston, they gaze out across the bowling green onto the blue of the sea beyond. Here, 20 years ago, they built their fabulous six-bedroom family home, complete with indoor swimming pool complex and games room, as well as beautifully designed spaces and exquisitely dressed rooms. “The house was actually built on three plots on the seafront,” explained the owner. “It was designed as a family home, to have everything everyone wanted. It is also a superb entertaining home. It opens out on to the garden where there is now a wonderful area that is perfect for outdoor summer parties.” LEISURE AND PLEASURE With this fabulous, state-of-the-art outdoor eating area, and the panelled snooker room too, the emphasis at Madeira House is very much on relaxation and leisure. The stunning new kitchen, with its central island, breakfast bar and beautiful contemporary finish, opens out on to the superb barbecue area. The indoor swimming pool complex, which overlooks the garden and also features a jacuzzi, has been a great asset to the house for all the family. Here glass doors can be pulled back on to the garden during the summer months. “I usually go swimming first thing in the morning. The pool is also used a lot by family and friends. The children come with the grandchildren and they have learned to swim here,” she said. “We have also had a few pool parties.” ELEGANT SPACES Exquisitely finished areas within expansive Madeira House include the generous reception hall, with its grand staircase and marble hall. Here there is also more than enough room for the beautiful grand piano. “The formal drawing room is at the front of the house together with the elegant dining room which has been painted in a muted red and features a mahogany table. The drawing room is a large, open space, with plenty of room for entertaining.” EASY LIVING At the back of the house, flowing on from the kitchen, is the family room. Arranged with contemporary seating and decorated in white, with accents of subtle grey and plum, this room has an air of relaxation about it. “This house is quite flexible and this room could be adapted to whatever someone wanted it to be,” she explained.
“This house is quite flexible and this room could be adapted to whatever someone wanted it to be.”
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“We enjoy watching all the ships coming in and out, and on Sundays we see all the dinghies racing. When the weather is fine, it is just fabulous out there.”
JEWEL IN THE CROWN With six bedrooms, there is plenty of space for the family to stay when they visit, and for friends too. The sumptuous master bedroom is the jewel in the crown of the sleeping areas. Exquisitely decorated in delicate peach, and with a splendid dressing room area and en-suite bathroom, this commands the most stunning sea views. “Off the bedroom is a balcony where you can sit and watch the fireworks in the evening at that time of year, or have breakfast on a nice summer’s day,” she said. “We enjoy watching all the ships coming in and out, and on Sundays we see all the dinghies racing. When the weather is fine, it is just fabulous out there.” DESIGNER DINING Madeira House was designed for all-year-round living but really comes into its own in the summer. Not only does the property have a superb terrace and dining area, as well as pergola seating, but it now also features an outdoor kitchen, barbecue bar and contemporary comfortable seating. “This was purpose-built and includes the barbecue and fridge etc,” she said. “It really is wonderful and is well-used. We have lots of parties in the summer.”
beside the seaside Gorleston is known for its long sandy beach, which is rarely crowded. The soft sand is ideal for families to play in, and the beach is ideal for swimming or simply relaxing in a deck chair. It is also a popular beach for windsurfing. At the foot of the cliffs there is a paddling pool and yacht pond, a bowling green and tennis courts. People can stroll along the cliff top and enjoy the views of the beach, pier and harbour mouth or stop for a bite to eat in one of the many cafés.
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PROPERTY DETAILS
Madeira House is an outstanding six-bedroom family home boasting uninterrupted sea views and a wealth of features. Inside there are four reception rooms, a contemporary kitchen, swimming pool complex and conservatory, while outside you can enjoy the beautifully landscaped gardens. Location Gorleston-on-Sea Price OIEO ÂŁ1,100,000 Property type Coastal Home Contact Homes in Norfolk 01603 622017 Summer 2011 Fine 105
QUAY TO
THEIR CASTLE When the Graves decided to build their own home next to the sea, their first and foremost design requirement was to make it an enchanting and exciting home
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nce upon a time there was a beautiful house situated next to the sea, which like a fairytale kingdom, blended perfectly with its surroundings. And once inside the grand entrance hall, the magic continued with a castle theme and a shimmering, indoor swimming pool visible through Gothic-style windows. “Sometimes when people build large houses they can be quite austere,” explained owner Jenny Graves. “But I really wanted the opposite of that. So I designed our home to be lived in – and to be a place where we could all have fun.” MAKING A SPLASH The result is an enchanting seven-bedroom house, with a castle theme featuring in some of the rooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and panoramic sea views. “Really, a big feature of the house is that you can see the swimming pool from the hall, kitchen and drawing room,” she said. “There are large, Gothic-style windows, so I can keep an eye on the children in the swimming pool.” The house was purpose-built for the owners eight years ago and was not completely finished when they moved in: “Obviously, we had an architect, but we have put our own creative stamp on the place and most of the design is down to us,” said Jenny, who used to run a theatrical costumes business.
“The couple have spent more than a decade carefully restoring it to its former glory, enhancing its history and many original features.” Summer 2011 Fine 107
FIT FOR A KING The fairy story is immediately apparent in the character of the grand entrance hall, where the castle-like walls, beamed ceiling and galleried staircase provide exactly the right ambience. “It is a large space and at the moment we have a pool table in it, but in the past we have had a dining table in there,” she said. The stunning oak kitchen features a red AGA and is also large enough for a table and chairs. The fabulous drawing room, with its impressive inglenook fireplace and regal, burgundy carpet is indeed fit for a king and is a wonderfully cosy retreat for the owners in the winter months. “We do like to light the fire and snuggle down in that room when it is cold,” she said. “But I suppose the sun room is where we spend a lot of time in the summer months.” MODERN TWIST The sun room, with windows along the whole length of the room, commands fantastic sea views: “The room has a great feel to it and we can see everything that is going on in the sea. We often watch the lifeboat men doing
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“The sun room is where we spend a lot of time in the summer months.”
their training and we also get some wonderful sunsets over Portsmouth when the sky turns lots of different colours,” she said. On the first floor, there are four bedrooms including the master bedroom suite, which is its own private den of luxury and calm. “I suppose my bedroom has to be one of my favourite places in the house,” admitted Jenny. “It is split level so that the bed is raised and consequently benefits from the stunning panoramic views.” BATHED IN DELIGHTS There is also a spa bath in the bedroom where they can lie back and relax with a glass of wine while watching television or looking out to sea, and a walk-in wardrobe and a separate shower room. The French windows in the master bedroom lead on to a sun deck, which is also accessible through two other bedrooms. And there is also a secret, winding staircase from the dining room downstairs. “We often use that balcony for supper parties and the staircase means you don’t have to go through a bedroom to get to it,” she said.
PROPERTY DETAILS Enjoying a superb seafront location, this individual family home boasts stunning views along the coast and over to the Isle of Wight. The interiors include seven bedrooms, three reception rooms and a magnificent indoor pool. Outside you will find an additional swimming pool and a garage.
Location Selsey Price Guide price £1,100,000 Property type Impressive seafront home Contact Homes in West Sussex 01730 858078 Summer 2011 Fine 109
Pippa Middleton sports King’s Road Casual
fashionfever PASTEL PALATES DOMINATE THIS
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PAIR SMART BLAZERS AND A STATEMENT BAG WITH JEANS OR CHINOS FOR A CASUAL YET REFINED OUTFIT WHEN MEETING FOR SUNDAY BRUNCH OR A LATTE WITH FRIENDS.
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MAKE A DRAMATIC APPEARANCE IN A FLOOR LENGTH BOLD PRINT OR MUTED EVENING GOWN. GRACEFUL OPEN TOED HEELS WILL COMPLEMENT A DRESS WHILE MINIMALIST JEWELLERY AND A SHIMMERING CLUTCH BAG ADD SPARKLE.
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ENJOY STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM WHILE SUNNING YOURSELF ON THE PATIO IN CHIFFON AND SILK. CHOOSE ROMANTIC TAILORING AND DAINTY FOOTWEAR TO COMPLETE THE LOOK.
Cropped trousers £595 donnakaran.com
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Enter into our World of Luxury Offering 5 AA Star luxury and set within 350 acres of sumptuous parkland, Stoke Park is one of the finest members clubs in the world. Various fantastic member packages are on offer, including member discounts and a full social calendar. Take advantage of the 27-Hole Championship Golf Course, 13 tennis courts, state-of-the-art gym, award-winning spa, three exquisite restaurants, magnificent corporate rooms and luxurious Bedrooms and Suites.
‘ It is Widely Regarded as Excellent ’ Condé Nast Traveller
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The Dining Room Stoke Park’s fine-dining restaurant is now open to the public. Recently awarded 2 AA Rosettes for culinary excellence and headed by Executive Chef, Chris Wheeler, exquisite modern British cuisine, with European influences and an enviable wine list is on offer.
Spa Treat yourself to some pampering at Stoke Park’s award-winning Spa by SPC. Named as a ‘Top Ten British Spa’ by Tatler Magazine, all your health and beauty needs are catered for. All SPC Skincare products are inspired and developed using the finest ingredients from our own country garden.
Exclusive Membership Offer Stoke Park is delighted to offer Fine Magazine readers an exclusive offer on Corporate Health Memberships. No joining fee, only £114.00 per month. Please contact the Membership team on 01753 71 71 79 to take advantage of this exclusive offer.
www.stokepark.com 01753 717171 Stoke Park Park Road Stoke Poges Buckinghamshire SL2 4PG Summer 2011 Fine 115
ON
Trend
This season is all about a refined appearance whether hiking across foreign lands, sailing off the British coast or simply sipping a fine cognac amongst the Mayfair elite - Elegant tailoring, espadrilles and crisp collars complete the look
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Step off the yacht and onto the boardwalk in this season’s preppy look with rolled up chinos, nautical accessories, sailing shorts and deck shoes
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SPELLBINDING FROM THE ENCHANTING TRANQUILITY OF THE MOAT TO THE SPLENDOUR OF THE GREAT HALL, THE COUPLE HAVE BEEN SPELLBOUND BY MAGICAL, MEDIEVAL ST CLERE’S HALL
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“This is a wonderful historic home of restrained elegance. It is full of historic and architectural interest but intrinsically it is a home.”
D
ining in the magnificent hall with logs blazing in the fireplace, Geraldine Craig relishes the palpable sense of history in her exquisite sevenbedroom manor house, which has its own tower. A 14th Century, timber framed aisled hall, with cross wings and carved gargoyles, St Clere’s Hall is Grade I listed. “This is a wonderful historic home of restrained elegance. It is full of historic and architectural interest but intrinsically it is a home,” she said. The Craigs moved into St Clere’s Hall 30 years ago, and for some of that time three generations of the family lived here. “It is a medieval manor house built around 1340 to 1360. A little bit was added in the 15th or 16th century but most of it is original. It’s what they call a typical ‘H’ shaped Essex house,” Geraldine explained. She added: “What we call the library was added in about 1500.” And this exceptional house, which is the perfect backdrop for their art collection, retains its period splendour. “It is full of history, full of character. The building is very beautiful. We just love all the architectural features. We are just mad about old properties and we fell in love with it.” Summer 2011 Fine 121
MAGICAL QUALITY At the heart of the house is the great hall. “There is the most wonderful, huge fireplace in the big hall and massive timbers. On one, there is a two-faced gargoyle carved in the wood which was meant to ward off evil spirits,” she said. “Kids love it.” There are also “magic circles” carved in the same beam to “protect” the house. She added: “The hall is gorgeous and it’s huge. It’s very tall and very light. The whole house is very light for a timber framed building of the 14th century.” This spacious, comfortable home also has a drawing room and further sitting room, plus Geraldine’s favourite – the morning room. “The morning room is a nice quiet room overlooking the garden and that’s where I like to read,” she added. “There are so many rooms you can always find peace and quiet.” DECK THE HALL The sociable Craigs love to welcome guests into their home. “It is a very warm, happy home,” Geraldine observed. “We’ve always loved having masses of people here and had loads of parties and gatherings. All our kids’ friends loved coming here and running around it.” It was also the perfect venue for a wedding reception party for their son and his bride. “Among my happiest memories are of Christmas here with our huge 15ft high tree in the magnificent hall and the inglenook fireplace piled up with logs and the fire going. The house is full of people at Christmas, with all the family here, round the big table in the hall,” she continued. The kitchen is in the east wing. “It’s a lovely kitchen overlooking the garden with a big four-oven AGA and a table. It is a lovely, cosy family kitchen.” REACHING NEW HEIGHTS The house also boasts a tower, believed to have been added in the early 19th century. It has been suggested that this tower might have been some sort of lookout, but Geraldine admits they don’t know why it was built. 122 Fine Summer 2011
“The first people lived here in about 1340 - that’s over 650 years ago, so who knows how many have lived here since.” “Nobody really knows quite what that is. But you get the most marvellous views of the countryside and also the coast,” she said. “There used to be a lot of smuggling round here, and there’s been a lot of conjecture about the tower. I just think it was somebody’s little folly, little whimsy.” And there are also fine views from the bedrooms across the gardens and surrounding countryside. FIT FOR A QUEEN Two staircases, both believed to date to the Jacobean period, lead upstairs. In the staircase to the bedrooms in the east wing is an Elizabethan dog gate. “It would have stopped the hounds disturbing the lord of the manor upstairs,” she explained. It was the luxurious spaciousness of the master bedroom, with its dressing room leading into the en-suite bathroom that convinced Geraldine to make St Clere’s Hall the Craig’s family home. “Really it is two rooms opened up and it is huge,” she said. “With that glorious hall and our large bedroom I felt like a queen!” BEWITCHING HISTORY The hall’s name is derived from the family who lived there in the 14th century. “The first people lived here in about 1340 - that’s over 650 years ago, so who knows how many have lived here since. We like to joke that the first people who came here to live would have been in chain mail,” Geraldine said. Later it passed into the hands of members of the Darcy family – a prominent Essex family. And the house played a part in an infamous chapter in East Anglian history – the St Osyth witchcraft trials of the 1582, which were presided over by St Clere’s resident Bryan Darcy. “Bryan Darcy was a magistrate and he did some of the preliminary interviews with some of the St Osyth ‘witches’ here,” she added.
PROPERTY DETAILS St. Clere’s Hall is a stunning Grade I Listed manor house of architectural and historical interest. The interiors include seven bedrooms, a magnificent hall with an exceptional Tudor fireplace and an abundance of reception space, while the mature, moated grounds that surround this wonderful home also incorporate a Grade II Listed barn. Location Nr Colchester Price OIEO £995,000 Property type 14th Century Manor House Contact Homes in Essex 01206 564259 Summer 2011 Fine 123
CHARACTER
REFERENCE With spacious rooms and a two-bedroom guest cottage in the grounds, Gina has found her exquisite 16th century home offers comfort as well as character 124 Fine Summer 2011
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a wealth of original character and atmosphere. “It is a very welcoming home,” she said. “It is also a house that just looks wonderful at Christmas when we light the fires and hang garlands over the fireplaces.” After moving in about eight years ago, Gina modernised the bathrooms and the kitchen.
TASTE OF THE PAST The 16th Century house was once owned by a well-known local family, who ran an iron business, and were reputed to have supplied guns to the Spanish. Since then, over the years, the attractive home has been added to and has evolved – and yet still retains
CAREFUL DÉCOR But decorations and renovation work were carried out carefully, to ensure the intrinsic character of Cobwebbs was retained. “I decorated the house mainly in white, to keep it bright and to contrast with the exposed oak beams,” she explained. “The kitchen has hand-made oak cabinets and granite work surfaces – and the utility room the same. I chose a style that would blend with the house and it does tie in quite well.”
osting a dinner party for friends around her large dining table or relaxing by the inglenook fireplace on one of her sumptuous sofas. Even eight years after moving into Grade II listed Cobwebbs, Gina still finds it hard to believe she found a character home with such a lot of space. “I used to live in an Elizabethan mansion and it was wonderful to be able to bring my furniture from there to Cobwebbs,” she said. “Yet at the same time, this is a timber-framed hall house, with beams and two inglenook fireplaces, which makes for a very cosy home.”
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WARM AMBIENCE Cobwebbs is fantastic for entertaining, she went on. With spacious reception rooms that flow beautifully, there is room for guests to spread out and mingle. “The dining room is triple aspect and looks over the garden, which is nice in summer. I enjoy sitting there with friends – although, for everyday meals I just eat at the table in the kitchen,” she said. The drawing room is also atmospheric, and a wonderful place for relaxing in the evening or for sharing with guests. And the sitting room offers an alternative comfortable seating space. “Both the sitting room and the drawing room have open fires. The dining room flows nicely into the drawing room,” she said. “A latched door leads on to a covered veranda.”
“The dining room is triple aspect and looks over the garden, which is nice in summer. I enjoy sitting there with friends.” 126 Fine Summer 2011
IMMEDIATE ATTRACTION Upstairs, the first floor bedrooms embody as much character as the ground floor rooms. The master bedroom has a feature brick fireplace, fitted oak wardrobes and a beamed ceiling. “There are lovely views from here across the back garden,” she said. “The ensuite bathroom has a Victorian style, and like the family bathroom has a large free-standing, roll-top slipper bath.” On upstairs from the study area, is another bedroom. West-facing, this is very light and airy, said Gina. “I think this house does have a lot of ‘wow factor,’ throughout,” she said. “People come in and say it is lovely. I fell in love with it and I am sure someone else will too.”
“I used to live in an Elizabethan mansion and it was wonderful to be able to bring my furniture from there to Cobwebbs.” PROPERTY DETAILS This stunning Grade II Listed cottage dates back to the 16th Century and retains a wealth of wonderful features. Arranged over three floors, the charming accommodation includes four bedrooms, three reception rooms, a bespoke kitchen and telephone room, while amid the landscaped gardens there is a selfcontained detached two-bedroom annexe.
Location Dorking Price OIEO £850,000 Property type Grade II Listed Cottage Contact Homes in Surrey 01306 880863
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STR AWBERRIES AND
CREAM Coffee on the balcony and champagne in the garden – the Lancaster Gardens home has been designed and built to offer a simply splendid lifestyle
“In the garden there is a revolving see-through ‘bubble’ where six friends can sit and sip champagne or it can be turned into a bed for a night spent under the stars.”
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ulling back the glass doors and stepping out on to the balcony from the master bedroom, the owner of the stunning new house will have a panoramic view. From here, they will be able to look out across the city, towards the tennis courts at Wimbledon, and over the roofs and trees. The current owners of the exclusive home, on the sought-after road, have designed and built a spacious, light house that offers the very best in modern day comfort and living standards. “This is a house that will be wonderful for a family and just amazing for entertaining, especially in the summer,” she said. “From here you can walk round to Wimbledon with your guests for strawberries and cream. The garden is landscaped and the reception rooms are bright and airy – perfect for parties.”
FABULOUS LIFESTYLE The new home sits right in the heart of Wimbledon Village. “We knew how wonderful it was to live in this area – and decided it would be the perfect place to build,” she said. “Everything you need, from wine bars and restaurants, through to five different modes of transport, is right here.” They designed a home they would like to live in themselves, with a high specification and beautiful finish. From the under-floor heating and Villeroy & Boch bathrooms, through to the winter garden in the basement, every detail was carefully considered and every room minutely planned to provide a sumptuous lifestyle. “We even put a revolving see-through ‘bubble’ where six friends can sit and sip champagne in the garden – and which can be turned into a bed for a night spent under the stars,” she said. Summer 2011 Fine 129
EXQUISITE KITCHEN The light-filled kitchen makes an incredible family area. Designed by awardwinning Kitchen Connection of Ascot, there is a breakfast bar, where the new owners will enjoy their morning coffee over the Sunday papers, and a dining area, for casual lunches and suppers.
PROPERTY DETAILS Detached Double fronted home with six Bedrooms, Bespoke Kitchen/ breakfast room and family room. Cinema/games room. Gym. Winter garden. Revolving summer Spherical globe in the garden. Close to the Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis Club.
Neff and other high quality appliances ensure food preparation will be easy while the seating area means family members or guests can relax comfortably as they chat to the chef. “I can imagine spending a great deal of time in this area,” she said. “There are big doors that slide open on to the garden, which will be wonderful for summer entertaining.”
“This is a house that will be wonderful for a family and just amazing for entertaining, especially in the summer.” 130 Fine Summer 2011
Location Wimbledon Village Price £4,500,000 Property type Contemporary Home Contact Homes in London 020 3417 3845
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BY ROYAL
APPOINTMENT With a captivating history and a character lovingly restored with the help of English Heritage, Hadleigh House is reputed to be one of the largest homes in Windsor, indeed second only to the royal palace
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nce described by The Times as Windsor’s biggest and grandest home, this imposing Georgian mansion is second in size and historic past only to the town’s royal castle, and its former inhabitants have been regular visitors to the palace. It’s been painstakingly restored by the current owners in conjunction with English Heritage, to preserve and repair its important historic features. As the owner of this property you’ll become part of the tapestry of an illustrious line of previous owners and tenants with royal connections and surgeons who tended to kings, some of whom are captured for posterity in a stained glass window overlooking the house’s famous staircase, which elegantly connects the five floors. HISTORY IN THE MAKING This historic home is Grade II* listed and is often mentioned by architectural experts and historians when writing about Windsor. It stretches over five floors, with both basement and attic space and has been carefully restored by the current owners in close consultation with English Heritage, to ensure that as many of its original features as possible can be enjoyed today. FINE FEATURES From the street, the symmetry of the main portion of the house is a prime example of Georgian architecture, and the sash windows, some with working shutters, hint at the high ceilings and generously proportioned reception rooms inside. There are fine fireplaces, decorative cornice work and dado rails; many of the radiators are enclosed in traditional cabinets, and you can even see the original servants’ bells as you climb up to the attic quarters, where the servants would have had their accommodation. The central staircase, which links all five floors, has been mentioned in published articles and it is from this staircase that you come upon the stained glass window which links the house to its former inhabitants and their families’ place in history.
“It’s been painstakingly restored by the current owners in conjunction with English Heritage, to preserve and repair its important historic features.”
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“From the street, the symmetry of the main portion of the house is a prime example of Georgian architecture.”
MEDICAL RECORDS It was built in 1794 by William Thomas – an apothecary, who became Lord Mayor of Windsor in 1805. Its mansion proportions and proximity to the castle then attracted a line of medical men to the property as they tended to their royal patients across the park. John O’Reilly was Surgeon Apothecary to King George IV; it was said that the King had little opinion of his skill but enjoyed his gossipy company. On his accession to the throne, William IV required a change to the entrance to the house, refusing O’Reilly the right to share in the road that leads through Windsor Great Park to the Castle gates. This led to O’Reilly turning the house around with the current entrance set back from Sheet Street and reached through iron gates into the enclosed courtyard. PRIVATE DOMAIN The gardens are now at the rear of the property, and are walled, giving excellent privacy. They have been landscaped to include a paved terrace, accessed by a network of steps with wrought iron railings from the main reception areas at the back of the house, so that you can easily
dine outside either formally from the drawing room or informally from the breakfast room. The well maintained lawn is complemented by deep borders with specimen trees and established shrubs. An additional terrace catches the afternoon sun. GLAZING OVER THE PAST On O’Reilly’s death in 1833, the house passed to his medical partner, Henry Brown, who continued to treat the royal family, being appointed Surgeon Apothecary to Queen Victoria, Brown used the North Wing of the house as his surgery. He died in 1868 and the house passed to his son Henry, who let the house to a series of tenants. When Henry died around 1890 the house was sold to the Leveson-Gower family, related by marriage to the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. During this period, the North Wing became separated from the house, granted by Arthur Leveson-Gower to the fiancée of his son who died in WW1. A window depicting the coats of arms of the Leveson-Gower family is to be found on the staircase of Hadleigh House, meticulously restored by the current owners.
PROPERTY DETAILS Situated adjacent to Long Walk and Windsor Great Park, this imposing Grade II * Listed Georgian mansion spans over five floors and proudly presents eight bedrooms, four reception rooms, a self-contained one bedroom apartment plus extensive parking and garaging. Location Windsor Price £3,000,000
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Property type Stunning Georgian Mansion Contact Homes in Berkshire 01962 826050
LESSONS FROM
Chelsea
Celebrity gardener Chris Beardshaw shares some of the trends that emerged from the Chelsea Flower Show and reveals his own naturalistic and environmentally-friendly approach to gardening
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You know you’ve made it in the gardening world when you are asked to become a judge at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the horticultural event of the year.
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hris Beardshaw who launched a career as a TV presenter with The Flying Gardener back in 2001, took up the challenge this year - as well as helping to create an urban show garden at the event, and appearing on camera for the BBC. It’s dubbed the ‘garden catwalk’ but Chris, who has won numerous awards in the past for his own designs, believes Chelsea does have relevance for the average domestic garden. “There’s always a danger that the show gardens become such grand statement pieces that you feel as though there’s very little access in terms of the materials and the ideas you can take. It takes a while, when you think that Chelsea is at the high end of the fashion market, for things to become mainstream. However, there seems to be a number of clear directions,” adds Chris. “One is a celebration of plants in history, reflecting on the plants which have performed particularly well for us and there’s a huge move towards native plants and naturalistic planting.” This is a subject close to Chris’s heart. He is currently championing the National Trust’s Greener Gardens campaign and he hopes this message will resonate.
“ It’s about rediscovering how our grandparents would have gardened.”
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“ Communities of gardeners should get together to swap plants, seeds and tips.”
However you garden, and no matter the size of your plot, Chris reminds us: “The most important thing not to lose sight of is what the garden offers, which is a release, stimulation, and space. I knew I wanted to spend my life working with plants since my 4th birthday, when I was given a present of a propagator, packet of seeds and a watering can - watching those first seeds germinate was absolutely captivating. Even now, I still get that tingle of excitement every time I plant a seed and watch it germinate and flourish into a new plant.”
“We are looking at gardening in a very biodiverse way, thinking carefully about the plants we weave together and what effect they are going to have, not just on our senses but on all of the other organisms that we share our spaces with. You see plants growing in the way plants want to grow. It’s gardening for people who like the organisms around them to be as relaxed as they are.” As well as championing eco-friendly techniques, he’s passionate that gardening does not have to break the bank. “A lot of the processes are so simple,” he explains. “It’s about rediscovering how our grandparents would have gardened. Post-war Britain was about austerity and yet people had the most beautiful gardens. You can sow your own seed from hardy annuals in autumn to cover areas of bare or cultivated ground. If you go to nurseries or garden centres in autumn they are selling off some of the seed stock cheaper, which was designed for spring. It still has huge viability, so you are going to get good germination rates at a fraction of the price. By spring the plants are starting to flower. Nigellas and calendulas and digitalis create a wonderful floral tapestry.” “Herbaceous perennials revel in the opportunity to be lifted and divided. It reinvigorates them. Most of us have geriatric herbaceous perennials that would welcome being divided up and passed on to other gardeners. Wild geraniums, heucheras, alchemillas and many herbs such as mint and thyme can all be easily lifted with a garden fork, sliced through with an old bread knife and half of it plunged back in the ground where it was. The plants and the gardeners benefit.”
For more information about Chris and his garden design services, visit www.chrisbeardshaw.com Summer 2011 Fine 137
A FRONT RUNNER Riding out to the famous Jurassic coastline or admiring the cliff top views from horse back, Rectory Farm is a magical place for equestrian lovers
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“It’s been a privilege to be able to create and live in a home that’s so well suited to its stunning location.”
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t Rectory Farm, the owners like nothing more than saddling up and riding off around the grounds. The land here gives them the space to keep up to 20 of their own horses in an American-style stable block, and there is also a manege for schooling. From the house they can reach the coast easily on foot or horseback as it is only a mile away. “We can ride down there in the early morning or in the winter when it’s deserted and we get such a feeling of the history of the place,” said the current owner. “The rocks are about 185 million years old, which puts things into perspective!” And she added: “It’s very special to be able to ride out from your own property and sit at the top of the cliff looking down on Durdle Door or Lulworth Cove.” RIDING HIGH The stable block is reached by its own driveway and is currently used as a livery, run by an experienced manager. The owner said this made it ideal for a business, as well as for someone keen on keeping horses
for their own enjoyment. She said: “It’s lovely to have the stables close enough to the house that you can check up on your horses just by looking out of the window. But because there’s a separate entrance to the stable block, other people can come and go to their horses without disturbing the family – it’s the best of both worlds.” DAIRY DAYS The main house, which was built with stones from the land, and has a thatched roof, combines the character of a rural building with the style and comforts of a more modern property. “It used to be a charming dairy farm with a small family house,” she explained. “We have totally converted it to give a great deal more space and focus on bringing in the light and making the most of the view with lots of glass.” Inside, behind giant barn-style doors is a double storey wall of glass, which forms the focal point of the very large open plan living area. “I love to sit by the huge window that was once the original barn door, there’s a fantastic view across our courtyard to the village,” she said. Summer 2011 Fine 139
“It’s very special to be able to ride out from your own property and sit at the top of the cliff looking down on Durdle Door or Lulworth Cove.” NATURAL BEAUTY The local stone and the wood used within the home bring it a unique warmth. There are wooden floors throughout - with under-floor heating – as well as wooden beams and timber doors and window frames. As well as keeping the whole house bright, the great glass windows bring the views flooding in to rooms. The master suite, for example, is galleried above the sitting room and has glass walls fitted between the A-frame of the roof. Here the owners can lie in bed and appreciate the scale and history of their home. All the bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, with luxurious fittings such as spa baths and large, walk-in showers.
PROPERTY DETAILS With breathtaking countryside views, this stunning Grade II Listed farmhouse is set amid approximately 52 acres (STMS) of grounds and offers excellent equestrian facilities with an American-style stable block incorporating twenty stables and manege. The accommodation includes four bedrooms, all with en-suites, a luxury kitchen/ breakfast room and four reception rooms.
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Location Winfrith Newburgh Price Guide Price £2,950,000 Property type Country Barn Conversion Contact Homes in Dorset 01962 826050
asterChefs
HUNGRY FOR MORE
MasterChef judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace share some of the secrets of their success, and offer some tips to amateur chefs who think they have what it takes...
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HOW TO WIN MASTERCHEF •D o take off your wedding ring and tie it in your apron strings and chop an onion in three seconds flat. “They’re signs of a cook,” says John Torode. • Don’t try and impress the judges by cooking their favourite food. “I’ve got a soft spot for butterscotch Angel Delight. If somebody came in and mixed that powder with milk, I’d be happy to eat it, but there’s no way they’d go through,” says Gregg Wallace. “The ones that make it through cook for themselves,” says Torode. •D o demonstrate you’re passionate about food. “You’ve got to come out and cook because you love it, you believe in it and you do it really well,” says Torode. •D o make Gregg Wallace laugh. “One contestant turned up and on their t-shirt it said, ‘Oh my God, I’m here with John and Gregg!’”
For six years now, TV viewers have been fed an increasingly varied diet of one particular dish: MasterChef. But although the programme now comes in diverse flavours - including Professionals, Live and Celebrity judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace are convinced we are not consuming more than is good for us. “People just can’t get enough of it,” says Wallace, the jocular bespectacled pundit. “Junior, Professionals, Celebrity and amateur. I would never have imagined this six years ago when we were on BBC Two at teatime!” The amateur cooking competition started life in 1990, presented by Loyd Grossman, who left in 2000. It then moved from its traditional Sunday afternoon slot on BBC One to a weeknight slot
dream. I love it!” Every year some 10,000 hopefuls apply to take part, ranging from 17-year-olds to pensioners, students to builders and even an army colonel. “It still surprises me, but the quality keeps rising,” says Wallace. “Dishes that would have got you into a quarter-final six years ago probably won’t get you through the auditions now.” It is getting harder to make difficult choices, he admits. “John and I will
“ Nobody expected us to get seven million people watching the final, it was extraordinary.” on BBC Two. But, with chef Gary Rhodes at the helm, it failed to take off and the show ended in 2001. Wallace and Torode came on board to judge the rebooted show in 2005. And now, enjoying a BBC One prime-time slot, it’s gone from strength to strength - as have its various spin-offs. “Everyone was really surprised by the last series of Celebrity MasterChef,” says Melbourne-born chef Torode. Nobody expected us to get seven million people watching the final, it was extraordinary. The amateur show is a different beast altogether, it’s THE series. Yes I do Junior, yes Gregg does Professionals, yes we both do Celebrity, but in reality, the amateur show is what it’s all about. People coming from their home kitchens, living their 142 Fine Summer 2011
agree if it tastes right, we’ll agree on how much skill it shows,” says Wallace. “What we don’t agree on is whether that person has the potential to go on and deliver beautiful stuff. We’ve done a lot of MasterChef now, which helps with the decisions.” Over the years, the judges have become celebrities themselves and it took Wallace a while to realise why some contestants seemed so nervous around them. “The first series we were just these guys tasting their food, but by the third series they were coming in shaking,” says Wallace. “I went, ‘What’s the matter with them?’ and someone said, ‘They watch you on television, you idiot’. You soon
learn skills to put people at ease because you don’t want them terrified. You ask questions in a mild way, you try not to look stern, same as you would do if you were meeting a new girlfriend’s mum.” A true sign of its success, the show has been spoofed on YouTube, with hilarious clips of Michel Roux and Wallace spouting superlatives about a dish, before the camera pans down to cheese and pineapple on sticks. And there are few hiding places for the judges these days. Torode says: “I find it extraordinary that six years on you walk down the street and everyone’s saying hello. The weird ones are those who talk behind your back, saying, ‘It’s him off the telly’.” Wallace adds: “We took MasterChef Live to Glasgow and on my first morning, pouring cornflakes into a bowl, this man came past me and said, ‘You’ve got two minutes!’ “This other time I got on the Tube and sat down. People were smiling and this guy opposite me had this big cheesy grin. He pointed up and I’m sitting under a poster of me and John for MasterChef Live.” Will there be another six years of the show? The pair are hopeful. “I’ll never get sick of tasting food,” says Torode. “I can just imagine us both at 85, eating puree.”
JOHN TORODE’S SUMMER LUNCH IDEAS
Recipes taken from MasterChef At Home, published by DK, £20, Available from www.dk.com
The MasterChef judge shares a couple of easy lunch recipes, perfect for summer
Classic Cheese and Mushroom Omelette with Fines Herbes “This uncomplicated French classic, which should be cooked without colour, is light and beautiful and the fresh herbs take it to a different level,” says John. serves 4 Ingredients:
METHOD:
• 100g butter
1. Heat a good omelette pan and melt half the butter. Add the mushrooms with a little salt and pepper and cook for 4-5 minutes, turning them until lightly golden all over. Using a slotted spoon transfer them to a foil-covered bowl to keep warm, leaving as much butter in the pan as possible.
• 24 button mushrooms, about 175g sliced
• S alt and freshly ground black pepper
• 12 eggs • 5 tbsp chopped mixed herbs such as chives, flat-leaf parsley, tarragon, oregano and chervil
• 2 00g Gruyere cheese, finely grated
2. For each omelette, break 3 eggs into a small bowl and beat them lightly with a fork (do not whisk them as they will scramble). Add some seasoning. Pour into the warmed omelette pan and sprinkle in 1 tbsp of mixed chopped herbs. As the omelette starts to set around the outside, draw the set egg into the centre and tilt the pan so that the raw egg fills the space. After a minute or so, when about half cooked, sprinkle over 50g of the cheese with a quarter of the cooked mushrooms. 3. Fold the omelette by tilting the pan and shuffling the omelette forward – it should roll up like a large cigar. Roll it onto a warm plate and garnish with more herbs. Repeat for the remaining 3 omelettes, adding fresh butter before cooking as needed.
Pumpkin and chicken soup with beansprouts and coriander Serves 6 Ingredients:
METHOD:
• • • • • • •
1. Heat the oil in a wok and add the sliced chillies. Cook slowly over a gentle heat until all the moisture from the chillies has evaporated (at which point the oil will stop bubbling), then raise the heat slightly, so that they caramelise and crisp up – without turning too dark. Remove and repeat the process with the garlic, then the shallots. Set them all aside.
• • • • • • • • •
3 00ml vegetable oil 5 0g fresh chillies, thinly sliced 5 0g garlic, thinly sliced 5 0g shallots, thinly sliced 1 00g red curry paste 3 0g palm sugar 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cut into 4cm chunks 2 x 400ml cans coconut milk 1 75ml coconut cream 1 tbsp Thai fish sauce 2 tbsp lime pickle 3 lemongrass stalks, crushed 4 chicken breast fillets, cut into strips or chunks 5 00g precooked mung bean noodles or egg noodles 1 00g fresh beansprouts, picked 1 small bunch coriander, picked
2. Drain off all but 80ml or so of the oil. Add the red curry paste to the wok and fry for 2 minutes, then add the palm sugar and let it cook with the curry paste for 4 minutes, until sticky and fragrant. Add the butternut squash, stir well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. 3. Pour in the coconut milk and coconut cream, then add the fish sauce, lime pickle and lemongrass. Bring to the boil and cook for 20-30 minutes over a medium heat until the squash is soft but not mushy. Add the chicken, return to the boil and cook for 5 minutes but no longer. 4. Put your precooked noodles in a bowl and pour boiling water over them to reheat. Leave for 2 minutes, then drain. Divide the noodles among serving bowls and add a few pieces of squash per portion. Pour in the remaining soup and garnish with the fried chillies, garlic and shallots, plus the beansprouts and coriander.
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once upon a
lake
WHEN TRUDE RINI AND ARILD FORDE FIRST SET EYES ON THEIR LAKE HOUSE THEY FELL IN LOVE WITH ITS FABULOUS WATERSIDE SETTING AND KNEW IT WAS THE PLACE THEY HAD TO HAVE
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essing about on the water in the little rowing boat that is moored alongside the unique, architect-designed house has provided the family with lots of fun. “When we first came here my boys and I would take the boat out to watch the birds and to fish on the lake - and one of the neighbours would throw sweets for my sons to catch,” remembered Trude Rini. The six-bedroom house is the largest designed by renowned architect Royston Summers on tranquil Lakeside Drive, which originally formed part of the gardens of Milbourne House, a former hunting lodge of Claremont House. At the time of building, the houses won a RIBA award and were described in the Architect’s Journal as having “a feeling of quality and privacy.” “The house is called Toad Hall which has a fairytale sound to it and certainly living in it has been a fairytale,” she added.
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WINDOW ON THE WORLD The extremely modern house, built of rich Ockley brick, sits right on the edge of the lake and many of its 144 windows have views across the water. The family moved into the house in 2000 after relocating from America and have extended it by building over the garage. They have created a family room, gym and guest bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. “I like to paint and originally I was going to use the family room as a studio, because it has great views over the lake, but the boys kind of took over and they liked to use it for watching TV and playing their computer games,” she said. The spacious and light-filled drawing room has been given an even more contemporary edge with the black leather and chrome furniture the owners have placed in it. ALL ABOARD “We actually brought the furniture from the States where we had a colonial-style house so when we moved here it suited the modern feel of the house perfectly,” she said. “The drawing room is so big - we have a TV at either end. Being Norwegian, my husband likes to catch up with the sport in Norway, but we can watch British channels on the other one.” With all the windows fronting the lake, the room feels boat-like and is a great place for just relaxing and watching all the wildlife, which includes ducks and swans. “In the middle of the room there is a sunken seating area and I remember the first Christmas we were in the house our boys were so excited they didn’t want to go to bed so we bedded them down in that area,” she said.
“I like looking out of the window when I am in the kitchen because the palm tree always makes me feel like I am away on holiday,”
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FINISHING TOUCHES Central to the open plan style of the living area is a spectacular spiral staircase and the fabulous dining area and kitchen all flow through. Blue pearl granite features on the floor, work surfaces and half way up the wall in the kitchen, which overlooks the garden where a palm tree waves softly in the breeze. “I like looking out of the window when I am in the kitchen because the palm tree always makes me feel like I am away on holiday,” she said. Everywhere has been finished to a high standard and includes white marble flooring and a spa hot tub in the ensuite bathroom, as well as beautifully polished birch wood flooring in the master bedroom, where the minimalist styling creates space to take advantage of the lake views. LANDMARK EVENTS The Forde family have loved living in their “fairytale” home and have had lots of happy occasions, the memories of which they will take away with them when they relocate to Florida. “My boys are young adults now, but they have loved living in this house and have even said it was a magical place for them to grow up,” she said. The spacious home has allowed the couple to entertain with ease and they have each celebrated landmark birthdays with parties for up to 50 people. “I can honestly say that with even that number of people in the house it did not feel the least bit crammed,” she added. “We are selling because my husband has been relocated with his job. I really wish I could pick up the house and take it with us to Florida. I have just loved living here so much,” she said.
PROPERTY DETAILS Enjoying a stunning lakeside setting, this award winning, architect-designed home is situated in an ideal location for local schools and amenities. The interiors boast six bedrooms, lovely open plan reception space and a charming refitted kitchen. Outside there is a superb south facing terrace. Location Esher Price £1,795,000 Property type Waterside Home Contact Homes in Surrey 01372 841910
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H A C K E T T. C O M
E S S E N T I A L LY B R I T I S H
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ANCIENT WONDER It stood for years, an impressive reminder of the history of the land. Now it has been transformed into a breathtaking family home, fitting of its heritage
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“The kitchen has a log burner and an AGA with the hand-made cabinets painted French Grey and others in plain solid oak.”
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or years Peter and Tracy Nicol admired the beautiful old barn from a distance during family walks – now it is their home. “I used to describe it as majestic,” said Peter. “Then when we saw it was for sale we thought we had to do something with it. It had such a magical feel to it.” Now as he stands proudly in the stunning, home with its magnificent vaulted ceiling and solid centuries old wood, it is hard to believe this is that same 16th Century building. “No matter how you feel when you pull into the drive, as soon as you approach the house you just feel good - it has a great warmth to it,” he said. “I don’t think it is anything we have done to it, I felt that when we first walked in.” GRAND DESIGN It took three years to finish the barn conversion and Peter describes it as a “Grand Designsscale” project. The couple were determined to maintain the history of the property and, while it offers thoroughly modern living, it is also packed with character and charm. “We have retained as much as possible the authenticity and character of the original building. That was important to us, we haven’t really put any rooms into it, we felt that would just turn it into a house that was once a barn. One of the walls has been left exposed, exactly as it was,” he said. The barn is a large and spacious area, perfect for entertaining and family living. The sun floods in through the large midstrey windows, where once the heavily laden carts entered the building. There is oak flooring throughout, except for the kitchen and entrance hall, which are original Yorkstone that was lifted from the threshing floor of the main barn. Summer 2011 Fine 149
MAJESTIC OPEN LIVING The open living space in the enormous main barn includes a formal dining area, a drawing room and a snug under the gallery, which also has its own informal relaxing area overlooking the living space. “There is an impressive slate fireplace, glazed on both sides, so whether sitting on the sofas or at the dining table we can enjoy its warmth and glow especially in the winter. We designed it ourselves. “The large kitchen links the main barn and the stable block, where there are a further two bedrooms, and this is where the family spend most of their time. “The kitchen has a log burner and an AGA with the hand-made cabinets painted French Grey and others in plain solid oak. The kitchen follows out on to a terrace made with the same stone as the floor and it looks out over the Blakes Wood and down to a stream, where we spend so much of our time in the summer.” GOLDEN SLUMBERS One of the most extravagant features of the house is the master suite, which is set over three floors and has French windows set in to the old barn opening, leading out to a terrace. “On the ground floor, there is a sitting area, with a sofa and in the summer we walk out on a Sunday morning with the papers and sit outside. You then walk up some stairs to the main room where we have our bed and an en-suite bathroom. There are further steps to a roll-top bath housed in the vaulted ceiling and looking down through the 20ft midstrey windows onto the front elevation. When we use the bath, what strikes us is how quiet it is and how tranquil we feel.” Peter said: “We created this home and will be so sad to leave. But we will always feel incredibly proud of what we have achieved here.”
Property details Blakes Barn is a stunning 16th Century barn conversion which once formed part of the Great Graces Estate. The spacious and stylish interiors include five bedrooms, a gallery which overlooks an impressive 65ft vaulted, open plan living and dining space and a bespoke kitchen. Outside there are a range of useful outbuildings and an attached barn with planning permission granted for conversion to a two storey annexe. Location Little Baddow Type of house Exceptional Barn Conversion Price Guide Price £1,750,000 Contact Homes in Essex 01206 564259
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Shires Dressage Weymouth Set £42 britishsaddlery.co.uk Show Weymouth Bridle £189 ejefferies.co.uk
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WRITTEN IN STONE A superb medieval house on a moated site, the Appleby Magna property, with its ancient writing and carvings is a piece of living history
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We knew the village well and its famous house. When it came up for sale we decided we just had to live here; it’s very beautiful, charismatic and interesting.”
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on and Marilyn Dunkelman had been looking longingly at the Moat House for 11 years – and when it became available they decided to snap up their own piece of history. “Soon after we arrived in Appleby Magna 18 years ago we walked round it with a local history group. We loved the house so much we wanted to buy it,” remembered Jon. He went on: “We knew the village well and its famous house. When it came up for sale we decided we just had to live here; it’s very beautiful, charismatic and interesting.” Having managed to buy it, they spent six-and-ahalf years turning the 15th Century gem into a comfortable home. And living in the famous Grade II* Listed property has been an adventure and a privilege. “Our project has been to marry the best of both worlds here. What we’ve achieved is to preserve and show off all the ancient features, and at the same time we have made it a comfortable home in which to live. We consider ourselves custodians of the Moat House with great responsibility to maintain its integrity and atmosphere,” he added. Summer 2011 Fine 155
“The windows are dual aspect, facing east and south, which gives us sunlight in the morning and afternoon,
ANCIENT APPEAL The house is overflowing with history. The gatehouse hallway is just one of its spectacular features. There is a double door entrance with a huge stone archway. “It’s at least 6ft wide and they used to ride horses through it into the courtyard of the manor house,” said Jon. The walls of the hallway, and other parts of the house, still have graffiti scratched into the stone and the lime plaster some dating from 1673. The carvings above the main inglenook fireplace are believed to be religious, and the text engraved by an illiterate stonemason. “There is something medieval in every room,” said Jon. “It is a very tactile home. I go round touching the oak beams and stone because they are so very beautiful. You feel as if you are sitting in history.” But the couple have also focused on bringing their home right up to modern standards of comfort. “We have a stone inglenook with a Clearview woodburning stove in the drawing room, which is phenomenally efficient and we have just installed a new Worcester Bosch central heating boiler.” said Marilyn. LET THERE BE LIGHT Traditionally, medieval houses can sometimes be dark, but the Moat House is characterised by light and space. The couple have used Farrow & Ball lime wash on the walls to enhance this sense of space. “The windows are dual aspect, facing east and south, which gives us sunlight in the morning and afternoon,” said Jon. The kitchen also has a spectacular feature - a 16th Century timber-framed wall. To continue the skilful blending of old and new, Marilyn commissioned local craftsmen to fit out the Victorian-extension kitchen to her design. She has insisted on natural materials, such as tiles for the floor, and oak for the furniture and door. “This is an elm area and we found a slab of elm sitting on a pallet at the local wood yard that had been there for decades, so we had our kitchen table and chairs made out of it,” said Jon. “Dinner guests sit at it and on sunny days we have the door open onto the terrace, looking out onto the moat. It is very special.” 156 Fine Summer 2011
PROPERTY DETAILS Set in the centre of this beautiful village is the ancient Grade II* Listed Moat House with approximately 4.6 acres (STMS) of grounds. This historic five-bedroom family home has been extended, restored and maintained with careful consideration granted to the respective periods in which the different parts of the house were built in. Location Appleby Magna Price OIRO £1,250,000 Property type Grade II* Listed Moat House Contact Homes in Leicestershire 0115 9814509
BARN DANCING In a glorious setting, with its own lake, swimming pool and entertainment areas, the magnificent barn has been the most incredible home in which to welcome friends
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“This is a beautiful area with so much wildlife. It is perfect for anyone who enjoys an outdoor life.”
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itting out in their Swedish barbecue hut, looking out across the lake, or relaxing in the thatched summer house with a glass of wine, the owner of Justice Wood Barn agrees this is the ultimate party home. “It really is wonderful,” he said. “We have had some excellent parties here, for my 50th birthday when we had a marquee by the lake and a couple of singers, to times spent in the pool and hot tub with friends.” The beautiful barn, which dates back to the 1800s, has been modernised throughout to create a sumptuous and stylish home. With features such as a snooker room and cinema room, it has been a magnificent family home as well as an entertaining house. “It feels very rural here yet we are within reach of everything we need,” he added. “This is a beautiful area with so much wildlife. It is perfect for anyone who enjoys an outdoor life.” SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE In searching for their new home, the owners viewed up to 20 properties but nothing won their hearts as this one did. “We did not even get halfway round before my partner said: ‘We have to buy this,’” he remembered. “Almost every room and every part of the barn we entered had some kind of ‘wow factor’ – room after room, it just seemed to go on.” He said the beauty of the property was that it was large and airy, yet it was also cosy and inviting in places. “My partner loved the way the house flowed and opened up on to the courtyard. Now she also loves the cinema room. I love the snooker room and the swimming pool – there is something for everyone here.” 158 Fine Summer 2011
“The outdoor, heated pool is very large and is in a walled area. The entertainment room, where there is the full size snooker table, table tennis and a big TV screen, opens right up onto it. It is lovely spending time out there in the summer with friends.” EXCELLENT PARTIES The superb home, which has planning permission for the creation of a self-contained annexe, also has plenty to offer its many visitors. The owners have delighted in the numerous parties and celebrations they have held here since moving in. “The outdoor, heated pool is very large and is in a walled area. The entertainment room, where there is the full size snooker table, table tennis and a big TV screen, opens right up onto it. It is lovely spending time out there in the summer with friends,” he said. “The Swedish barbecue hut seats 16 people and is great fun too. I put lights all around the lake and at night, when we are sitting out there, having a glass of wine, it is just beautiful. It is also wonderful sitting in the thatched summer house or the hot tub with a drink. In the summer, it feels as if you are on holiday. Even in the autumn it is just beautiful because of all the colours.” COMFORT AND STYLE Inside, the property is just as welcoming. During the colder months, wood-burners are fired up to give a cosy glow to the already warm drawing room areas. “We particularly like the back drawing room, with its Bose sound system, which is next to the gym,” he said. “But the cinema room is another space we enjoy spending time together, relaxing and watching television.” With a high quality, stylish kitchen, top-of-the-range bathrooms and décor that makes the most of the rustic appeal of the beamed barn but also brings contemporary comfort and a chic finish, the attractive home has been decorated throughout using Farrow & Ball paints. Rooms have also been arranged to make the most of the glorious natural setting of the barn, with views drawn in wherever possible. “The master bedroom is wonderful. It has its own walk-in closet and a nice bathroom,” he said. “And from that end of the house, you wake up to views out over the open fields.”
on screen Attractive Kersey is a village and a civil parish in the Babergh district in Suffolk, in the east of England. The main street has a ford across a stream. Its principal claim to fame is that a coarse woollen cloth called Kersey cloth takes its name from it. The cloth was originally made there, but later in many other places too. The parish contains the village of Kersey and the hamlets of Kersey Tye, Kersey Upland, Wicker Street Green, and William’s Green. Kersey’s church is St Mary’s, and the village also contains a primary school. The village is also the filming location to the popular Compare the Meerkat television adverts. PROPERTY DETAILS Set amid 2.2 acres (STMS) of grounds including a small lake, Justice Wood Barn is an impressive conversion offering excellent family accommodation over two floors. The interiors boast seven bedrooms, a striking reception hall and nine reception rooms including a games room, cinema room and office. Planning permission has also been granted for a self-contained annexe (Drawing number 889004). Outside there is a private courtyard, an impressive swimming pool and a thatched summerhouse.
Location Kersey Tye Price Guide Price £1,300,000 Property type Detached Barn Conversion Contact Homes in Essex 01206 564259
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living
the DREAM
Set in 10 glorious acres of garden, paddock and beautiful rural scenery, modern mansion West Hall is a home where dreams really can become a reality
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“We thought about everything, from the traditional, hand-cut red bricks to the English limestone that came from the same quarry as Lincoln Cathedral. ”
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tepping into the exquisite atrium at West Hall, guests are welcomed into a magnificent home that combines period-style elegance with contemporary comfort. Situated amid 10 acres of garden and countryside, and with an outdoor swimming pool, the beautiful Queen Annestyle property, offers generous space for family, visitors and staff, as well as a superb setting for enjoying all manner of leisure pursuits. Within the superbly designed house itself are three floors of spacious, bright accommodation. Impressive reception rooms are ideal for entertaining, according to owner Stuart McCrudden, while six bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms and a fabulous family kitchen breakfast room offer the ultimate in easy living. “With a separate three-bedroom single storey property, a one-bedroom annexe, a converted barn with all sorts of potential and a large workshop, there are all sorts of possibilities when it comes to living at West Hall,” he added. STYLISH AND SPACIOUS The land and some former farm cottages on it have been owned by Stuart and his family for approximately 25 years. Then 10 years ago, he decided to create a magnificent new home in their place. “I obviously knew the location very well as a beautiful rural area but one from which it is also very easy to travel,” he explained. “I wanted to build a home here that was fairly traditional in style and very spacious inside.” GLORIOUS SUNSHINE Stuart and his wife poured over every aspect of their new house, with Stuart himself drawing up the plans before showing them to a technical expert. “We thought about everything, from the traditional, hand-cut red bricks to the English limestone that came from the same quarry as Lincoln Cathedral,” he said. “We also spent a long time thinking about positioning. I wanted us to be able to enjoy the sun rising in the east in the morning, wonderful sunshine all day, and then beautiful sunsets in the west in the evening.”
Property details West Hall is a unique and elegantly designed Queen Anne style home offering six bedrooms, two reception rooms, a lovely conservatory and a garden room. Situated amid the ten acres (STMS) of glorious grounds there is a three-bedroom single storey dwelling, a barn conversion/office complex, a one-bedroom annexe/ gite and a 60ft industrial workshop.
Location Great Braxted Price Guide Price £2,275,000
Type of house Country Home Contact Homes in Essex 01206 564259 Summer 2011 Fine 163
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
Dating back to the 16th Century and with fabulous Victorian extensions, character-filled Catchbells is a piece of living history
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“Our favourite part of the house is the family area. This is now a superb, open space, which includes the kitchen, dining and sitting areas.”
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rom its façade, where a blue plaque commemorates a gallant colonel who once lived here, through to its rare king beam upstairs, Catchbells offers more than a taste of the past. Its current owners were drawn to the home, which dates back in part to Tudor times, by its inviting ambience and its individuality. “You can really sense the history of the place as you walk through its different rooms,” one of them explained. “It is a house of many parts with so much character.” Having carefully renovated and decorated much of the Grade II Listed building, which is set in approximately 2 acres, they now have a home that is bright and spacious throughout. In addition to the main, expansive home, they also have a separate two-bedroom cottage, a wing that can be used as a self-contained annexe,
and stables, which could be suitable for office or equestrian use. “This is a very flexible house that could be used in all sorts of different ways,” she said. “For us, it has been a wonderful family home.” It was about four and a half years ago that the owners first walked through the front door of the truly unique home, and today they still remembers its welcoming appeal. “It was just so warm and friendly, and it felt so homely,” she said. With a wealth of history and stunning period features as well, including fireplaces, beams, mullioned windows and even a Victorian heating grill, its sense of the past was a major draw. “The house is Grade II Listed,” she explained. “It does have a blue plaque to Colonel James Colvin, who was awarded a Victoria Cross, and who lived here between 1921 and 1945.”
PROPERTY DETAILS
“This is a very flexible house that could be used in all sorts of different ways. For us, it has been a wonderful family home.”
Catchbells is an outstanding Grade II Listed former hall house, set amid grounds extending to 11 acres (STMS). Spanning over two floors there are five bedrooms, four receptions, a modern kitchen/breakfast room, and a two-bedroom east wing annexe. Outside the modern detached bungalow offers income potential with a longstanding tenant who would be happy to remain if the tenancy is continued (£8,000 per annum). The bungalow is attached to a timber framed double bay carport with an attached double bay garage. There is also a 70ft barn. Location Stanway Type of house Country Estate Price Guide Price £1,250,000 Contact Homes in Essex 01206 564259 Summer 2011 Fine 165
Water music THE GENTLE SOUND OF THE BABBLING BROOK OR THE LULL OF THE LAPPING WAVES – LIVING BESIDE WATER CAN BE MUSIC TO THE SOUL. AT FINE, WE HAVE AN ARRAY OF MAGICAL WATERSIDE HOMES IN SUPERB LOCATIONS AND IN A GLORIOUS SPECTRUM OF STYLES AND SIZES. FROM STUNNING COASTAL PROPERTIES THAT LOOK OUT OVER GOLDEN BEACHES TO RIVERSIDE TREASURES WHERE THE SUN DANCES ON THE WATER – THEY RANGE FROM BREATH-TAKING GRAND DESIGNS RIGHT THROUGH TO EXQUISITE CHARACTER HOMES. IF YOU HAVE A HOME ON THE WATERSIDE CALL FINE TO FIND OUT HOW OUR UNIQUE MARKETING CAN HELP YOU SELL YOUR HOME.
QUAY TO THEIR CASTLE
a miller’s tale
When the Graves decided to build their own home next to the sea, their first and foremost design requirement was to make it an enchanting and exciting home
Watching the kingfishers and swans from the terrace, Wendy and John Credland feel totally relaxed in their award-winning converted mill
Selsey Guide price £1,100,000 Homes in West Essex 01730 858092
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Lenwade £735,000 Homes in Norfolk 01603 622017
that riviera touch
For years he had strolled along the beach, admiring the exquisite house in its enviable location. Then he bought it and transformed the interior to enhance the glorious retreat £1,950,000 Homes in East Sussex 01892 458931
a site to behold
Guide price £3,300,000 Set in five acres of prime land, overlooking the Thames, and with its own boat house, mooring and tennis court, the couple have built the ultimate hi-tech home Homes in Berkshire 01753 886177
crown and castle
£2,250,000 With an extensive river frontage, sumptuous interior and view of Windsor Castle, Rivergate has been a simply majestic home to Joan and Tony Homes in Berkshire 01753 886177
castaway
£635,000 Relaxing in the hammock, and watching the birds swoop over the water, they agree they have found their very own Treasure Island Homes in Milton Keynes 01908 969129
messing about on the river
OIRO £499,950 On the banks of the River Glen, The Old Rectory is steeped in history and in a stunning location, perfect for boating and nature lovers alike Homes in Lincolnshire 0115 9814509
once scene, never forgotten
£2,500,000 Tucked away in beautiful Cambridgeshire, with a private mooring, breathtaking Long Acre combines stunning modern design with traditional country house living Homes in Cambridgeshire 01223 778997
written in stone
OIRO £1,250,000 A superb medieval house on a moated site, the Appleby Magna property, with its ancient writing and carvings, is a piece of living history Homes in Leicestershire 0115 9814509
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HIGH DESIGN
From the outside, their picturesque country home looks likes a chocolate box cottage – but inside High Thatch is a stunning, modern home featuring cutting-edge design
“We spent four years working on this house and turning it into our dream home.” 168 Fine Summer 2011
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or years, Sarah Tabner had taken photographs around the world of design ideas she liked, and had saved hundreds of magazine cuttings of homes that caught her eye. Then, with High Thatch, she and her husband Gary had the chance to bring them all together and to transform a pretty country home into a house of high design. We chose it because of its amazing setting, with views across the rolling hills,” she said. “We then spent four years working on this house and turning it into our dream home. “Now, from the front, it looks like a chocolate box cottage. But when you step inside, it opens up into a beautiful, contemporary, open-plan home that is filled with light.” DREAM HOME It was seven years ago that the couple bought the country property that nestles on a beautiful hillside, near Hambledon. While living in the property, they undertook serious amounts of building work – at one point even having to climb up a ladder into their bedroom!
PROPERTY DETAILS The charming thatched elevations of this beautiful home belie the contemporary interiors that lie within, where its traditional appearance is successfully complemented by a sleek modern finish. Set within approx 2.5 acres (STMS) and boasting four bedrooms, each with en-suites, the house enjoys an elevated position affording views across fields and backing onto ancient woodland.
Location Hambledon Type of house Detached Thatched Home Price POA Contact Homes in Hampshire 01730 858092 Summer 2011 Fine 169
FINE LINES After a long search, David and Sue Atkinson knew they had found the perfect home with The Shire, one of the finest family houses in Nottingham
â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a very striking property that was very cleverly architecturally-designed and it has all sorts of subtleties.â&#x20AC;? 170 Fine Summer 2011
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ooking out over Wollaton Park from his beautiful garden, David Atkinson watches the deer sauntering through the exquisite parkland. With its incredible setting and magnificent design, The Shire has been the most wonderful family home for the past 22 years. “In fact, we believe it is probably the finest family home in Nottingham,” he said. “It is a very striking properly that was very cleverly architecturally-designed and it has all sorts of subtleties.” From its mature gardens, at both the front and back, to its beautiful galleried entrance hall, superb entertaining spaces, swimming pool and views over the golf course and park, it is overflowing with special attractions. “This for us is a unique house in many ways,” he said. “It has been an ideal place to live and excellent for entertaining guests.” EXQUISITE HOME The Shire was built in 1927, after the outer fringes of Wollaton Park were sold off (by the City) for the building of exclusive homes and the creation of a golf course. “We were coming up to Nottingham from Sussex and were finding it very difficult to find the sort of family home we wanted,” remembered David. “Then I saw this one, phoned my wife immediately and she came up the next day and we bought it.”
Property details Built in 1927 in the Arts & Crafts style, The Shire is a wonderful family home brimming with character features including studded beams, ornate stucco and inglenook fireplaces. Inside, the wonderful interiors include five bedrooms, four reception rooms and an impressive galleried entrance hall, while outside there are stunning views over Wollaton Park and an outdoor heated swimming pool. Location Wollaton Type of house Impressive Detached Home Price OIRO £1,250,000 Contact Homes in Nottinghamshire 0115 9814509 Summer 2011 Fine 171
CHAMPAGNE MOMENTS
For the past decade, picturesque Belmont House has been the setting for wedding celebrations and important occasions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and it has also been a stunning family home
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EXQUISITE COMBINATION It was in December 2001 that Nick and his family moved into Belmont House, which for centuries was one of the principal houses in the village. The superb combination of the original 1600s property with the later Georgian additions gives it truly unique character, which really appealed to them.
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estling in its lush, west-facing grounds of approximately four acres (STMS), beautiful Belmont House has seen some magnificent occasions. The exquisite house, which dates back in parts to the late 1600s but also includes some fine Georgian features, has been home to Nick Bond and his family for 10 years now. Since then, not only have they enjoyed its glorious setting and its wonderful comfort and style, but guests staying here to mark weddings, birthdays and other important celebrations have also noted its sensational appeal. “We have a visitors’ book that is growing with compliments,” he said. “People love staying in the house. There is just such a feeling of space here. It offers an incredible lifestyle to parents and children.”
“People love staying in the house. There is just such a feeling of space here. It offers an incredible lifestyle to parents and children.”
“It works incredibly well – we liked the different ages and styles,” he said. “The kitchen breakfast room is in the older part of the house, where there are lower ceilings, beams and brick and flint walls, giving it a more rustic style. In the Georgian sections, which probably date from the very early 1800s, are rooms such as the drawing room, which have high ceilings and are much airier, giving this part of the house elegance.” WONDERFUL SUNSHINE Also hugely appealing was the position of the house, which ensures it enjoys sunshine all day long. “The whole aspect of our four acres is west-facing, which means we get the most beautiful afternoon sun that goes right through into the evening,” said Nick. “It really is lovely, especially in the summer.”
PROPERTY DETAILS Located in the desirable Hampshire Meon Valley village of Ropley, elegant Belmont House is believed to date back in part to the 1600s with later Georgian additions. The beautiful location heightens the appeal of its outstanding grounds that extend to approximately four acres (STMS), while the elegant rooms incorporate four bedrooms, a cot room, two reception rooms and a wonderful kitchen/breakfast room with separate utility room and walk-in pantry.
Location Ropley Type of house Period Family Home Price Guide Price £1,200,000 Contact Homes in Hampshire 01962 826050
Summer 2011 Fine 173
MAKING AN
IMPRESSION The owners of Mumpumps were totally mesmerised by the idyllic setting of the Tudor farmhouse, which, with its own small pond, reminds them of a Monet painting 174 Fine Summer 2011
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itting next to the fireplace in the fabulous library, which has one wall of floor-to-ceiling bookcases, is where the owners of Mumpumps most like to spend time. “We use the library all the time,” one of them explained. “Whether it is just the two of us relaxing and watching TV, or if we have a few friends over, it is definitely where we like to be.” Parts of the former yeoman’s farmhouse dates back to the Tudor period, while the front is circa 1820, and an extension was made in the 1920s when the house went through a major renovation. They have also re-landscaped the stunning gardens and made the farmhouse self-sufficient again by establishing a vegetable garden and planting many fruit trees. “There are bridges and paths around the pond in the garden, and sometimes it looks just like a Monet painting,” she said. A LADY’S TOUCH The house originally had around 300 acres of land, and was part of the Pashley Manor Estate. In the 1920s, it was bought by an Irish lady who carried out extensive renovation work to the property including building an extension, which comprised the library on the ground floor and a bedroom above it. Today, Mumpumps is steeped in character and history, which the owners have worked hard to maintain and enhance through the improvements they have made since moving in almost 25 years ago. “The house has lots of character. Many of the rooms have beams and there is just a lovely warm feeling throughout,” she said.
“There are bridges and paths around the pond in the garden, and sometimes it looks just like a Monet painting,”
PROPERTY DETAILS This attractive late 15th/early 16th Century farmhouse boasts a wealth of charm and character. Inside there are four/five bedrooms, five reception rooms and a wonderful kitchen/breakfast room, while the two acres (STMS) of beautiful gardens include a delightful pond Location Hurst Green Type of house Period farmhouse
Price Guide Price £895,000 Contact Homes in East Sussex 01892 458931 Summer 2011 Fine 175
a WELCOME IN THE HILLSIDEs
Watching the kites soaring overhead and the sheep grazing on the rolling hills, it is easy to imagine you are a million miles from civilisation. Yet, as well as all its rural wonders, Wales also boasts the superb city of Cardiff and some beautiful towns and villages. And here, on the verdant hillsides, Fine has a selection of splendid properties, where those seeking either a permanent paradise or a heavenly holiday home, can discover the true magic of Wales.
rock n rolling views
For years, they would visit family who lived near Rock Cottage and they used to admire the house, which has sweeping views over the Usk Valley Devauden Green, Nr. Chepstow, £1,250,000 Homes in Gwent 01600 228101
all for one
crown and country
If you have a home on the hillside call Fine to find out how our unique marketing can help you sell your home.
Fine homes in South Wales
Watch out for news on the opening of our new flagship office in Cardiff. 176 Fine Summer 2011
Guide Price £595,000
£499,995
Nestling just south of the Brecon Beacons in 12 acres (STMS) of land, Coed Avon Farm comprises three properties in a magnificent countryside setting
The pretty country cottage in Kingcoed has been an idyllic family home to Jim and Anne Wilson - but the real jewel in its crown is its stunning outlook
Homes in South Wales 029 2115 9148
Homes in Monmouthsire 01600 228101
sunset over silver springs crown of laurels
£779,950 Gazing up the Golden Valley, towards the Sugarloaf Mountain, he watches the birds fly overhead and remembers why he built his home in such a beautiful spot
£3,750,000
£699,950 It has been their home for almost 30 years, a superb four-bedroom property, set in almost three acres of land, which has evolved into a wonderful family house
Homes in Monmouthshire 01600 228101
Homes in Monmouthshire 01600 228101
up a hill down a mountain
black mountains magic
riding high Guide Price £550,000
Guide Price £485,000
Guide Price £849,950
From their Welsh home, they have the most stunning views of Garth Mountain, made famous by the wellknown film starring English actor Hugh Grant
Former coach house Mouse Trap Cottage, with its views of the Black Mountains, opened up to reveal a charming, spacious house that they found magical
Relaxing in the huge garden of their equestrian home, Julie and Andrew James can take in views that span all the way to the Brecon Beacons
Homes in South Wales 029 2115 9148
Homes in Monmouthshire 01600 228101
Homes in South Wales 029 2115 9148
sunset valley
unbridled passion
birds eye view
£720,000
£695,000
£799,950
Fifty-one years ago John and Anne went searching for a farm and discovered an idyllic life in their beautiful historic family home overlooking St Brides Valley
Chatting as they cook together, while a glorious sunset sends a warm glow through the house, completes the day for the owners of Ravenshill
Mostyn and Rosalind West loved Saith Derwen’s generous proportions and glorious valley views and so set about giving it some extra special touches
Homes in Monmouthshire 01600 228101
Homes in Monmouthshire 01600 228101
Homes in Monmouthshire 01600 228101
wonderful wales
a touch of provence OIRO £649,950 The Weavers were not even intending to move to the area, but when they saw this idyllic 19th Century country home, they could not resist it’s stunning views and pool Homes in Herefordshire 01600 228101
the call of the valley Guide Price £499,950 The house was situated on the side of a mountain and looked out across the scenic and tranquil Merthyr Valley – the Nairns had found their paradise
£575,000
Homes in South Wales 029 2115 9148
Homes in Monmouthshire 01600 228101
Secluded Twyn Cottage is a spacious, family home that has offered owners Paul and Nikki Ernest stunning views of the beautiful Welsh countryside
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DINING BELLE Greenend Farm has been the family home of Michael and Julie Cartwright for 25 years – there they have nurtured its rural charm and enjoyed dining and partying with friends
“We consulted with the artist and she produced a love scene for us. It really is lovely and adds to the character of the dining hall.” 178 Fine Summer 2011
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he magnificent dining hall at Greenend Farm has been the setting for all manner of events, from wonderful dinner parties and memorable Christmases to larger gatherings when the owners have pushed back the furniture and danced all night. Michael and Julie Cartright have lived at Greenend Farm since 1984, and converted the barn attached to the main house into a splendid dining hall featuring a vaulted ceiling and exposed beams. “It is undoubtedly our favourite room in the house, it is just so colourful and unique, and has provided us with many good times,” said Michael. The dining hall and the outside courtyard have been used on a variety of occasions. “We have had murder mystery nights in the dining hall and one time we had a six-piece band in the courtyard for a summer party,” he said. “We also had a big party here for my wife’s 50th.”
PROPERTY DETAILS This wonderful home has a varied history, having been used as a fruit farm, for livestock and as a public house. Now this home has been beautifully extended, providing excellent family accommodation with five bedrooms, five reception rooms and a magnificent dining hall. Amid the 5.5 acres (STMS) of grounds there is an integral double garage and plenty of parking. Location Longstanton Price £795,000 Property type Farmhouse Contact Homes in Cambridgshire 01223 778997
Summer 2011 Fine 179
DOWN AT
THE MILL Complementary therapist Liz Stanleigh-Turner and her daughter Sanchia felt instant and enduring warmth at Mill Cottage, set in the beautiful South Downs
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veryone enjoys the themed cooking parties at Mill Cottage, in Lavant, according to owner Liz StanleighTurner. “We’ve had Caribbean, Spanish and Indian, and we do them in the fantastic AGA,” she explained. Liz regularly entertains in her stylishly extended kitchen dining room, which was originally the chicken coop in her 300-year-old home set in the beautiful South Downs. She and her daughter Sanchia bought the part-flint, Welshslate roofed property together after Sanchia persuaded her to come and look at it. “She made me come but as soon as we walked in the front door it grabbed us. It was quiet and away from the road and I had an inner feeling about it. We both just wanted to buy it,” she said. Set in golden seclusion in a cottage garden, with the sparkling River Lavant on the boundary, which makes its way into the charming nearby town of Chichester, it has been a dream house for mother and daughter for eight years now. “It’s a comfortable cosy, bright and airy home. We’ve got space to wander around and plenty of private space, too,” she said. “I just love this house. My husband was in the Navy so we moved a lot and this is the first house that I’ve owned that I felt has soul and spirit. It’s wonderful.”
“In the mornings the pheasants come for their breakfast. This area is absolutely full of sunshine, a total sun trap.”
AGA SAGA The extended kitchen dining room at Mill Cottage is the heartbeat of Liz and Sanchia’s home. They have a new, bespoke Harvey Jones kitchen, which includes a brand new, rich pewter-coloured AGA. “The AGA is smashing. Everyone that comes in sits on the high stool next to it and leans on it. The kitchen is just a lovely space,” she said. All the surfaces are grade five, blue butterfly granite. “Everybody loves coming in here. It’s part and parcel of the ambience of the house, which has always been a happy home with friend’s children running round,” she added. FEMININE CHARM Liz and Sanchia have completely redecorated their home in delicate Farrow & Ball pastels, which create a calm atmosphere. “We have a soft, moss green style in the drawing room with a Jotul wood-burner in the brick fireplace,” she said. The drawing room is bright and cool in the summer because it faces north and west. “There is a picture window that looks straight out onto the Trundle (an Iron Age hill fort near Chichester) and the River Lavant. It’s gorgeous - nothing but rolling green fields and cows,” she said. French windows open out from the dining room onto a bricked terrace with the river burbling past close by.
PROPERTY DETAILS Situated on the bank of The River Lavant, this wonderful home was originally a mill constructed approximately 300 years ago and has subsequently been extended. The charming interiors include three bedrooms and a fabulous open plan kitchen/dining room, while outside there is a well stocked garden, car port and plenty of parking. Location Lavant Type of house Detached Cottage
Price £600,000 Contact Homes is West Sussex 01730 858092 Summer 2011 Fine 181
CROWN AND
COUNTRY The pretty country cottage in Kingcoed has been an idyllic family home to Jim and Anne Wilson â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but the real jewel in its crown is its stunning outlook 182 Fine Summer 2011
“Our big farmhouse kitchen is a wonderful place to socialise with friends, and it has a warm, country feel.”
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itting in the peaceful conservatory and gazing across to the Brecon Beacons National Park, Jim Wilson is reminded of what attracted him to the cottage 10 years ago. “On a beautiful cloudless day, our panoramic view of the Monmouthshire countryside is absolutely stunning. I can see a Roman hill fort called Twym Barlwm, which is 20 miles away, right to the north end of the Black Mountains and beyond,” said Jim. Originally part of The Crown Estate, the cottage was built in 1843 and has been greatly extended over the years. “The moment we walked through the door, we fell in love with it,” he remembered. “Its location in a lovely part of Monmouthshire, with good transport links to major cities, and the fact it had a lot of land - three paddocks, a market garden, an orchard and a swimming pool - also won us over.” AIR OF SECLUSION Full of character and charm, the detached cottage, located in the beautiful rural hamlet of Kingcoed, just two miles from the historic village of Raglan is an idyllic country home. In good condition when the couple purchased it, the cottage has since been redecorated and modernised, and a building to house the swimming pool has been added. A small single track lane leads to the secluded cottage, which is framed by hedges and conifers. “We are completely surrounded by our own fields, so we feel very private, despite our nearest neighbours only being 300 metres away. If you want good company it is there, but we aren’t in each other’s space,” he said.
PROPERTY DETAILS Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, this charming four-bedroom cottage combines a heated swimming pool and approximately 2.5 acres (STMS) of grounds. The interiors include two reception rooms, a beautiful conservatory, while the wonderful elevated views of the surrounding rolling countryside heighten the appeal of country life. Location Kingcoed Type of house Detached cottage
Price Guide price £499,995 - £519,995 Contact Homes in Monmouthshire 01600 228101 Summer 2011 Fine 183
top place to live
Sitting in the minstrelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gallery watching the yachts drift by on the nearby river, the owners of Hill House enjoy the relaxed air of their striking Victorian home
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rom their beautiful home in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, the owners of Hill House have always appreciated their enviable, elevated position. From here, they have a stunning view of the River Yare and the surrounding countryside. Since moving into their home, they have completely renovated the house. Beautifully decorated and drenched in light, it features four bedrooms in the main house, another in the adjoining coach house annexe. With an excellent cellar and several reception rooms, it has become the ideal home for the entertaining they love. “We absolutely love cooking and sharing food and time with friends and our home is absolutely wonderful for that,” they said. THE BEST OF FRENCH The couple enjoyed updating and transforming their historic home throughout, cleverly emphasising its many original features, such as the beautifully ornate marble
fireplaces and well-proportioned rooms, as well as the elegant coving, wood panelling and picture rails. They set out to create an attractive family home, and are delighted with its superb style. “It has been a lot of work but we do have a design background and we have enjoyed this house,” she added. Indeed, having spent a lot of time in France, and Paris in particular, there’s a strong French influence within Hill House. The couple have decorated in soft shades to highlight their beautiful furniture, and used subtle lighting and ornate fabrics to complement the high ceilings and airy feel. Antique tiles, delicate hand-painted wall art and splashes of pattern, as well as florals, add to its vibrant character. “It is just divine, it really is. There is an all-embracing wonderful feel here, it’s a lovely place to call home,” she said. BESPOKE KITCHEN An exceptionally bright and light bespoke kitchen with plenty of space to work was the aim when the couple began updating their home, so they added not only an AGA and a double oven but lots of workspace too. “I love my AGA, it warms the kitchen beautifully. It really is the centre-piece of the kitchen. We can cook for 30 people or so very easily in this kitchen,” she said, adding that they have had countless parties at Hill House, ranging from children’s birthdays to more formal events. “Having things such as my larder and china store, as well as a utility and a boot room, does make a difference,” she said. “We can easily have 80 people for drinks. It’s such a flowing house and there’s simply an amazing atmosphere and feel here.”
PROPERTY DETAILS
“We absolutely love cooking and sharing food, and time with friends and our home is absolutely wonderful for that.”
Enjoying a breathtaking outlook, Hill House is a truly stunning home brimming with period features. Inside there are four en-suite bedrooms, several reception rooms, a generous kitchen/breakfast room and a self-contained annexe. Outside there is a coach house and 0.56 acres (STMS) of gardens.
Location Reedham Type of house Detached Country Home Price £699,995 Contact Homes in Norfolk 01603 622017
Summer 2011 Fine 185
CIDER WITH
ROSIE The Powells pressed ahead with changes to their home on the site of an old cider mill, creating a comfortable country home that has retained all its wonderful character
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“With fireplaces, beams and even an old baking oven, the rural home embodies a sense of country comfort, charm and warmth.”
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alking past the old cider press that is still a feature of their garden, and gazing down the valley, Shirley Powell remembers the day her daughter held her wedding out here in the attractive setting. “We had a marquee in an area of the garden that has been levelled off. It was a beautiful occasion,” she remembered. The Old Cider House has been home to Shirley, and her husband Glyn, for 30 years now. They bought the property, which is thought to be nearly 200 years old, at auction, after happening upon it, and falling in love with it, as they were driving round the area. “It was painted white and was just so quaint,” she said. “We liked it immediately and knew we wanted to live there.” COLOURFUL HISTORY The property, which does still have an apple orchard, used to house a cider mill and working press. And local folklore has it that everyone in the area knew when the drink was being made. “Apparently the squabbling from here would carry right down the valley as soon as the cider making began!” she said. And she added: “A little pony called Prilly lived here and would pull the mill round.” The couple were keen to retain as much of the original character as possible at The Old Cider House. Renovation and extension work was carried out sympathetically.
Property details Nestled into the hillside with superb views of the surrounding Monmouthshire countryside, this wonderful country home is sure to charm. The interiors include four delightful bedrooms, two reception rooms and a beautiful kitchen/family room, while outside there are five acres (STMS) and stables. Location Kingcoed Type of house Country cottage Price £675,000 Contact Homes in Monmouthshire 01600 228101 Summer 2011 Fine 187
the best of... PLAN THIS SEASON’S ENTERTAINMENT WITH OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST CONCERTS, MUSIC AND THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES. FROM LIVE ACTS TO THE LATEST HOME RELEASES GET READY, PRE-ORDER AND BOOK SEATS TO ENSURE YOU DON’T MISS OUT.
MY CITY
PORTICO QUARTET
NIGEL KENNEDY
This energetic group of young musicians have just recently welcomed a new member into the fold; Keir Vine will be playing the keys and the ‘hang’ an instrument that gives the group its signature appeal. World Music with a futuristic slant is on the cards at Leicester’s Summer Sundae followed by a set in Dalton - be sure to book ahead as tickets will disappear quickly to the troupe’s loyal following. www.porticoquartet.com
An evening of Vivaldi and concertos is presented by one of the world’s leading violin virtuosos. Nigel Kennedy Britain’s most important violinist has impressed the classical scene with his interpretation of The Four Seasons for over 25 years; now see him perform his astounding 2011 UK Tour. www.livenation.co.uk
Tracey Ullman is taking to the stage of the Almeida Theatre this coming season in Stephen Poliakoff’s My City. Ullman portrays the inspirational headmistress of protagonist Richard Kenton as the two become reacquainted by chance on a park bench one day. This production follows the story of how one person, can positively impact upon another leaving the audience with a sense of optimism. www.almeida.co.uk
RUMER In preparation for releasing Seasons of My Soul, her self-penned debut album this Autumn, Rumer has embarked upon an incredible European Tour. Book tickets in one of several intimate venues to enjoy her heartfelt and emotional lyrics.
www.rumer.co.uk
PROMS IN THE PARK A highlight of the London cultural calendar, Proms in the Park is the final performance of the proms. Presented by Sir Terry Wogan in Hyde Park and introducing a host of internationally acclaimed stars such as Katherine Jenkins, Josh Grobin, Russell Watson and special guests Westlife- this musical extravaganza is a highly popular event. www.bbc.co.uk/proms 188 Fine Summer 2011
GUANGDONG - SWAN LAKE See Swan Lake like never before in the Guangdong Acrobatic Company’s extraordinary version. Fusing elements of traditional Peking Opera, classical dance and Chinese acrobatics, the love story of Odette and Siegfried is given a breathtaking re-working told through elaborate and thrilling choreography. www.eno.org
PINK FLOYD Pink Floyd is set to release their all time greatest compilation yet. The box set will contain the band’s entire studio album catalogue packaged as mini-vinyl reproductions. Using original artwork and LP-style dust jackets, the set will also come with a high quality poster and a DVD. The 2011 release date is strictly under wraps, but this is certainly a purchase for the die-hard Pink Floyd fan. www.pinkfloyd.com
THE TEMPEST Theatre Royal Haymarket and Triumph Entertainment Limited present this summer’s must-see theatrical event. Marooned on a remote island Prospero played by academy award nominee Ralph Fiennes learns to command spirits, control the elements and create apparitions. In taking revenge on his enemies he aims to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place amongst nobility. Shakespeare’s play The Tempest is a mixture of magic and suspense guaranteed to enchant. www.trh.co.uk
POTTERMORE The hotly anticipated Pottermore project has been unveiled by J.K Rowling; this new website is an online portal for those enjoying or rediscovering the Harry Potter books and will officially launch in Autumn. Right now you can sign-up to be one of the first to enter the site, which promises new material about the beloved characters, places and objects. Users will also be able to download digital copies of the book and discover additional plots and back-stories. www.pottermore.com
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FINE VALUES From Chocolate box cottages with scented rose arches to magnificent estates, boasting swimming pools, stables and annexes – Fine prides itself in promoting a wide range of truly special properties. Wherever they are located, these homes are selected by the premium agent because Fine values properties that have unique appeal and exceptional qualities. Whatever the style, age or size of the choice home – whether it is worth £200,000 or £20 million – Fine’s philosophy is to really highlight its most attractive and appealing attributes.
ABBEY DAYS Flint walls, carr stone features and even gargoyles said to come from Pentney Abbey, the former farmhouse enticed them with its character. Beautiful Cottage; 4 Bedrooms; Magnificent Drawing Room; Spectacular Kitchen/Breakfast Room; Double Cart Shed. Harvestile Farm, £465,000 01603 622017
UNDER £500K Thatch Cottage, £315,000 A WARM WELCOME
Archers Cottage, £535,000 BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Finding an inviting cottage that was in an ideal country location, and was just over a mile from the coast was so exciting. Part-thatched Cottage; Grade II Listed; 5 Bedrooms with Master En-Suite; Beautiful Bespoke Kitchen; Rural Village Location; Mature Gardens; 1463 sq ft. 01603 622017
Having rebuilt the character home and created a mature garden around it, the Woodwards have enjoyed welcoming family members back home again. Detached Period Cottage; 3 Bedrooms; Detached Annexe; Large Office; Range of Outbuildings; 1 Acre (STMS) of gardens; Plenty of Parking; 1520 sq ft. 0115 9814509
Twyners Croft, £400,000 GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT
The Grange, £425,000 PEACE OF THE FOREST
Enjoying a leisurely breakfast in the sunshine on the terrace, the Attwaters love to sit back and admire their deliciously beautiful house and garden. Grade II Listed Cottage; Originally a 2 Bay Smoke House; 2/3 Bedrooms; Character Features; Third of an Acre (STMS). 01306 898117
Within 12,000 acres of forest on farmland, Gail Needham loves her converted barn with its spectacular views out to Swansea Bay. Stone-built Barn Conversion; 4 Double Bedrooms and En-Suite; Rural Forest Location; Large Drawing Room; Second Sitting Room; Family Room; 3 Shower Rooms; Private Garden backing onto Woodland; Parking for several vehicles. 029 21159148
Whitethorn, £315,000 THATCH THE WAY
44 Spencer Road, £415,000 TIMELESS APPEAL
Grade II listed Whitethorn Cottage has been a real labour of love for Tracy and Allan who have transformed the beautiful thatched property into a family home. Charming Thatched Cottage; 3 Bedrooms; Sitting Room; Dining Room/Study Generous Garden; Backing on to Farmland; Close to Station. 01206 564259
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When they decided to move out of London, they found a beautiful Cobham home with some lovely original features and the most perfect of reception rooms. Attractive Victorian Semi-detached cottage boasts 2 delightful bedrooms, a superb drawing room with a limestone fireplace and an excellent dining room. Outside there is a south-west facing garden. 020 85040977
Cuba House, £425,000 SWEET CHARACTER
The Old Cherry Tree, £375,000 SWEET DREAMS
Sharing supper with friends while looking over the beautiful garden, John and Alison love imagining the life their striking Victorian house has seen. Early Victorian Home; 4 Bedrooms; 3 Reception Rooms; Self-contained 2-Bedroom Annexe; Conservatory; Beautiful Gardens; 2869 sq ft. 01206 564259
The Old Cherry Tree Inn might have called last orders, but Sam and Helen Goodbourn knew there was still plenty of life in the former pub. Converted Former Coaching Inn; 6 Bedrooms; 4 Reception Rooms; 4 Bathrooms; Lovely Kitchen/Breakfast Room; Garage; Outbuildings; Stunning Countryside Views; Third of an Acre (STMS). 01394 548158
£500-£750K
PLAYING TO THE GALLERY When Emma and Andrew Bentley first set eyes on Hewlands House they were captivated by its spacious, light-filled interior. Beautiful Detached Home; 4 Bedrooms; 3 Receptions; Kitchen/Breakfast Room; Gym/ Office; Mezzanine Level; Sought After Location; Double Garage; Landscaped Gardens; 4031 sq ft. Hewlands House, £599,000 0115 9814509
Woodfield House, £700,000 NATURE’S HIDEAWAY Set in the heart of beautiful Norfolk, known for its fabulous bird-watching, Woodfield House with its wonderful grounds attracts an abundance of nature. Woodfield House is a wonderful 5-bedroom detached home with beautiful fireplaces, exposed beams, an expansive drawing room and conservatory. Outside there are superb gardens and countryside views. 01603 622017
Glandore House, £550,000 TOWERING ABOVE THE REST The grand character of the Grade II listed Glandore House in Lincolnshire stood out for the owners with its unusual tower and fabulous Regency features. A substantial period property set in the heart of Sleaford. The spacious rooms have been carefully restored to their original beauty with ornate cornices, ceiling roses and sweeping staircase and galleried landing. 0115 9814509
ENGLAND’S FINEST Built on land once thought to have been owned by Oliver Cromwell, the 17th Century home enticed them with its historic appeal. Detached Family Home; 4/5 Bedrooms; 4 Receptions; Period Features; Double Garage; Breathtaking Views; 2790 sq ft. Cromwell House, £650,000 01223 778997
11 Nashdom Abbey GREAT ESCAPE When he saw the apartment and its parkland setting, as well as its shared swimming pool, tennis court and gym, he knew this would be somewhere he could escape to. Grade II Listed; 2 Bedrooms; En-Suite Wet Room; Communal Gardens and Woodlands of 17 Acres (STMS); Garage and Parking; Heated Outdoor Swimming Pool; Gym; Tennis Court; 1051 sq ft. 01753 886177
The Old School House, £640,000 HOME FROM SCHOOL Going back to school gave them a superb family home and the chance to live in an historic building in a tranquil setting. Substantial Family Home; 5 Bedrooms; Fabulous Kitchen/Breakfast Room; Large Open Plan Living and Dining Room; 0.75 Acres (STMS); Courtyard Garden; Outbuildings. 0115 9814509
FAMILY MATTERS It was in beautiful Burwell that Emma and Peter Whitmore found the perfect home. Victorian Style Family Home; 4 Bedrooms; 2 Receptions; Farmhouse-Style Bespoke Kitchen; Conservatory; Garage with Office/Gym; 2336 sq ft. 108 North Street, £650,000 Summer 2011 01223 Fine 778997191
£500-£750K The Beeches, £535,000 LIVING IS EASY When the Aspins bought their six-bedroom home it was only partly renovated. But today it is a modern day haven with every comfort - and where the living is definitely easy. Contemporary Home; 5/6 Bedrooms; 2 En-Suites; Excellent Kitchen; 4 Reception Rooms including a Garden Room; Landscaped Gardens including a Stream, Decking and Mature Trees; 2 Garages; 3028 sq ft. 0115 9814509
24 St Davids Park, £599,000 A GRAND ENTRANCE
ALL THINGS WHITE AND BEAUTIFUL Full of 18th Century charm and character, White Cottage sits resplendent in a beautiful extensive garden. Timber-Framed Cottage; Grade II Listed; 3 Bedrooms; Drawing Room; Dining Room/Snug; Double Garage; Outbuilding. White Cottage, Nazeing, £500,000 020 85040977
They adore the welcoming atmosphere of their handsome, light-filled home, which stands proudly in the centre of its beautifully landscaped grounds. The house boasts an impressive entrance hall, 4 bedrooms with 3 en-suites, a bespoke kitchen with granite worktops and 4 reception rooms. 029 21159148
Scruton Grange, £650,000 PASTURES NEW Located in a pretty North Yorkshire village, Scruton Grange is a period property that boasts both traditional and contemporary features as well as rolling open countryside. Grade II Listed Cottage; 5 Bedrooms; 3 Reception Rooms; Stables and Outbuildings; Walled Courtyard Garden; 2.5 Acres (STMS); Wonderful Views 0115 9814509
Playwrights barn, £650,000 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM TALL, LIGHT, HANDSOME High above Newport, Ian and Delyth Smith enjoy the cool, bright interiors of their character-filled Victorian home. Victorian Home; 7 Bedrooms; 3 Receptions; Bespoke Kitchen/Breakfast Room; Wine Cellar; Landscaped Gardens; 4419 sq ft. 13 Stow Park Circle, £745,000 029 21159148
The beautiful 17th Century barn, close to where England’s most famous playwright used to stay, has now been transformed into an enchanting four-bedroom home. A stunning example of a Grade II Listed barn that has been carefully converted and refurbished. There are 3/4 bedrooms and an open plan layout with concertina doors that stretch the length of the living area. 01908 969129
£750K - £1m Abbey Cottage, £795,000 ABBEY COTTAGE Stepping into Abbey Cottage evokes a captivating sense of history, from the splendid old oak beams to its quintessential English charm. Stunning Character Cottage; 3 Bedrooms; 2 Bathrooms; 3 Reception Rooms; Conservatory; Detached Double Garage; Stunning Landscaped Gardens; Village Location. 01223 778997
Extra Cover, Guide price £995,000 CATCH OF THE MATCH
Relaxing on the galleried landing looking out across Furzton Lake, Shahid and Kamella Iftikhar relish the sunlight streaming through their vast windows. This stunning 4-bedroom detached home boasts 3 reception rooms, a contemporary kitchen and a beautiful galleried landing. Outside there are views over Furzton Lake and professionally landscaped gardens. 01908 969129
Dale Lodge, £925,000 WONDER WYE
For almost 30 years, the magnificent four-bedroom property, with its outdoor swimming pool, has been a clear winner for cricket enthusiast Chris Locke and his wife Jill. Located in the parish of Bray this beautifully presented 4 bedroom detached home was built in 1968 with 4 bedrooms; four receptions; Conservatory. Heated swimming pool and landscaped garden. 01753 886177
Surrounded by the glorious woodland of the Wye Valley, Dale Lodge is a unique and wonderful home in an idyllic rural setting, just minutes from city life. Formerly a woodman’s lodge, this charming four-bedroom detached country home enjoys an idyllic setting with formal gardens and paddocks that extend to approximately 6.5 acres (STMS). 01600 228101
Greenend Farm, £795,000 DINING BELLE
3 Henley Park Barns, £850,000 THATCH THE WAY
Greenend Farm has been the family home of Michael and Julie Cartwright for over 25 years – there they have nurtured its rural charm and enjoyed dining and partying with friends. Charming Detached Home; 5 Bedrooms; 5 Reception Rooms; Fabulous Dining Hall; Double Garage; 5.5 Acres (STMS); 3329 sq ft. 01223 778997
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5 Billbrook, £750,000 LAKE SUPERIOR
They were smitten with the rural location of the barn and its magnificent views towards the beautiful ridge of hills. Charming Barn Conversion; Grade II Listed; 4 Bedrooms; 3 Bathrooms; 28 ft Vaulted Reception Room; Kitchen/ Breakfast Room; South Facing Garden; Double Garage; Far Reaching Views; Semi Rural Location. 01932 576600
The Hermitage, £998,000 FOREVER ENGLAND With its fragrant roses, beautiful lawns and Victorian greenhouse, 17th Century The Hermitage is a quintessential English home, right in the heart of Constable Country. Grade II Listed 17th Century home, with stunning grounds that extend to 2.1 acres (STMS) and countryside surroundings. Internally, there are 6 bedrooms and 5 reception rooms. 01206 564259
Little Upton, £900,000 GOING DUTCH With its magnificent original Dutch gable, exposed stone work and wooden beams, Little Upton has been restored to its former glory by its current owners. An imposing Grade II listed 6 bedroom home, with a Dutch Gable featuring to the front and set in grounds of one third of an acre (STMS). The property enjoys great privacy and has beautiful flint walls to its boundaries. 01843 860180
RUSTIC CHARM With its beautiful shapes, exquisite interior and fabulous rustic character, the barn has been a superb base for its cosmopolitan owner. Stunning Barn Conversion; Grade II Listed; 4 Bedrooms; 2 Receptions; Bespoke Kitchen; Terrace; Gardens; 4096 sq ft. The Barns, £795,000 029 1159148
Mill Farm, £850,000 A TOUCH OF CLASS
The Garth, £900,000 THE ERA OF ELEGANCE
Beautiful Mill Farm House has all its original character but its interior designer owner has brought in her own very stylish touches. Mill Farm House is an outstanding fourbedroom family home which has been sympathetically refurbished and stands in beautiful landscaped grounds in excess of three acres (STMS). 01603 622017
Passionate about period property, they fell in love with The Garth as soon as they saw it, relishing its tiled Victorian floor, its stained glass door and its open fireplaces. The spacious interiors of this late 19th Century home include 6 bedrooms, an expansive open plan kitchen/breakfast/living room and two reception rooms, and retain stunning period features. Outside there are manicured gardens. 01908 969129
Pilgrims Lodge, £900,000 PERFECT PROGRESS
The Tower, £850,000 TOWERING BEAUTY
Idyllic Pilgrims Lodge has evolved during Mike and Helen Clarke’s time there and is now a wonderful family home in the centre of pretty, mature gardens. With stunning elevated views, this wonderful 4-bedroom detached home is sure to charm, with 4 reception rooms and two bathrooms. The established grounds boast a lovely heated swimming pool and summerhouse. 01306 898117
Through the beautiful arched windows at the unique former church they watch the sun rise over the sea and the ships as they pass. Stunning Conversion of St Mary’s Church; Grade II Listed; 4/5 Bedrooms; Wealth of Character Features; Situated on the Heritage Coastline of Thorpeness; 360 Degree Panoramic Views; Period Features; Double Garage. 01394 548158
Berrydown, Guide price £750,000 AN ALL ROUNDER
The White House, £850,000 FIRST LADY
They love to entertain friends at Berrydown - and have even been known to have all the village cricket team round for an after match party. Spacious Family Home; 4 Bedrooms; 2 Bedroom Annexe; 2 Reception Rooms; Bespoke Oak Kitchen; Double Garage; Lovely Gardens; Woodland Views; 4080 sq ft.. 029 1159148
Elegant and beautiful, The White House at Halstead has been a constant joy to Ken and Elaine Bradley as they have made their life together. Formerly run as a restaurant, The White House is a unique Grade II Listed home dating back to Tudor times and boasts beautiful features throughout the 8-bedroom accommodation. There is full business potential on the ground floor plus a separate coach house. 01206 564259
FIT FOR A KING A regal air surrounds Alison Salmon’s Grade II Listed home, which dates back to 1550 and is on the site of a former castle. Former Priory; Grade II* Listed; 5 Bedrooms; 4 Bathrooms; 5 Receptions; Magnificent Vaulted Great Hall; 18 Acres (STMS); Historic Remains of the Abbey within the Grounds; Moat; Grade II Listed Barns; 6015 sq ft. Buckenham Priory, £1,000,000 01603 622017
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sun dance
Practising her golf in the sunny garden of the home she has named after Gaelic “ceilidh” dancing, she takes a break away from her beautifully designed work space
“This house is perfect for happy family living – all the rooms are well-used and there is plenty of space for everyone to have their privacy.”
F
rom the office that her work contacts regularly marvel at, to the garden, where she entertains out in the sunshine, Kaylee Lodge has everything its current owner could desire. The house, which flows easily from room to room, and then out to the garden, has been designed as somewhere to both work and relax. Above the triple-bay garage is a superb office area, where she works from home and runs her business. Beyond, is the garden, where she hosts parties during the summer months. “I can sit and enjoy the views out over the garden as I work in my office, which is wonderful,” she said.
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PROPERTY DETAILS Located close to the village, Kaylee Lodge is an attractive New England-style home with three/four reception rooms and three bathrooms that combine to offer flexible accommodation throughout. There is also a superb studio/office, a triple garage and 0.75 of an acre (STMS) of level gardens. Location Grayshott Type of house Detached Family Home
Price £795,000 Contact Homes in Surrey 01428 288097
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Fine Confidential is a discreet property service for people who prefer to keep their business to themselves. It requires a particular skill to effectively market a property in a subtle and unobtrusive way. Fine are well placed to provide this low-key service as we specialise in selling properties of unique character and distinction throughout the country. Clients who use this service include: - Sports personalities including premiership footballers - Celebrities - High profile business people - People who for whatever reason value their privacy For a confidential market appraisal and to find out how Fine can make the difference in the sale of your home call 0207 998 0207. Summer 2011 Fine 195
196 Fine Summer 2011