LANCASHIRE NEW BUILD

WINNER BEST NEWBUILD HOME 2021

HEALING SPACE

Combining mindfulness ideas and natural materials, this country house, built by Lisa and David Wallace, exudes beauty, calm and serenity

Kitchen Open-plan living and bringing the outside in were important to Lisa when designing the kitchen. The kitchen was handmade by David. Cabinets and end wall painted in Grey Moss by Little Greene. Lights above island, Nkuku. Wooden chandelier, Wolf Home

Hallway

This space has a serene and calm feel. Lisa chose the colour because she wanted the house to resemble the shades of the pebbles on a beach. Walls painted in French Grey, Little Greene. Ceiling light, Vaunt

It was always our dream to design a house ourselves and build it from the ground up, ’ says Lisa Wallace of the beautiful home she and husband David have constructed. For Lisa, it was important to create a calm and unique home that centred around family life, with a work space nearby to give a good work-life balance in her job as a reiki practitioner.

Lisa and David had searched for years for land so that they could fulfil their dream. Eventually in 2019, the perfect plot with planning permission came up for sale down a nearby rural lane and Lisa and David were keen to buy it. They hadn ’t sold their house and there were complications and setbacks around the purchase, but eventually it was theirs. They changed the planning application to add a third bedroom and when that was granted in September 2019, it was full steam ahead for the project.

Builders created the breeze block shell of the house and crystals were put in the foundations before the concrete was poured to create the best energy. Lisa wanted to create a home that brought the outside in as much as possible so natural materials were used for wellbeing, including raw wood, while large wrap-around bifold doors open onto beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

David’ s skills as a carpenter meant he was able to do a lot of the work, including making the windows, building the stairs and creating the kitchen cabinets, while Lisa and her cousin Angela painted the house from top to bottom. David also installed the solar panels on the roof. ‘I’d have an idea, we ’d sketch it out and David made it, ’ says Lisa.

The family lived in a rented property while the build took place, but they were finally able to move into the house in September 2020. ‘The kitchen wasn ’t ready so we used the boot room instead because it had a sink, ’ says Lisa. ‘We had to make do with a slow cooker and a sandwich maker!’

When it came to the interior Lisa was keen to use earthy shades. ‘If you walk along a beach, the pebbles are all different colours and the shades blend, and I wanted a similar feel. I wanted to make the house flow so that it was good for our wellbeing. ’ The house celebrates natural materials in their rawness. ‘Everything is as natural as it could be, ’ says Lisa. ‘The stone floor tiles are matt – nothing is shiny apart from the door handles. ’ Wooden sleepers were used in the hallway for steps.

The open-plan kitchen is undoubtedly the heart of the home and one of Lisa ’ s favourite rooms. It is designed as the perfect entertaining space, as David and Lisa are great cooks. Large doors overlook views to bring the outside world inside, while the cabinetry is painted in a greeny grey. Lisa has used lots of natural materials including wooden chandeliers, while wooden pinnacles make an eye-catching display in the corner.

The family are thrilled with their dream home. ‘We love living here, ’ says Lisa. ‘There are no street lights and it’ s very peaceful. We love the calmness and stillness. ’

AT HOME WITH

Owners Lisa Wallace is a reiki practitioner and her husband David is a carpenter. They live here with their sons Louis, 19, and Sebastian, 16, plus poodle Poppy and pomapoo Ralph. House New build finished in September 2020 with three bedrooms.

I WANTED TO MAKE FLOW SO THAT IT WAS THE HOUSE GOOD FOR OUR WELLBEING. EVERYTHING IS AS NATURAL AS IT COULD BE

Kitchen ‘We wanted to be a family together – it’s great that the children can sit while we’re cooking, ’ says Lisa. The island bench breakfast bar was made out of tulipwood. White wooden chairs were resprayed and re-covered by Lisa. Wicker pendant light, Vaunt

Kitchen Light pours into the room from the large windows. Cabinets and end wall painted in Grey Moss by Little Greene. Wooden pinnacles, Rumpus in the Park. Grey pot (left), Homesense. Floor tiles, Roccia Hallway Influences from Lisa and David’s time in Spain can be seen in the metal pendant lights. Ceiling lights, Vaunt Exterior The exterior has a mix of wooden cladding and pebble dashing as Lisa wanted it to be as natural as possible. Utility A cosy rug injects warmth into this neutral scheme. Cabinets, made by David and painted in Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball

Kitchenseatingarea The woodburner creates a cosy corner. Woodburner, Greymetal. Coffee table, came from Spain. Outdoor faux rattan chairs and sofa, bought in Spain. Mustard cushions, Daisy Clough

Mainbedroom Lisa has chosen a calming palette to create a serene feel. Bed, Loaf. Throw, Vaunt. Side tables; Blue Grey pendant lights, Homesense. End of bed table, Swifts. Rugs, Vaunt. Grey wall painted in Manor House Gray by Farrow & Ball

ON OUR DOORSTEP

Visit...

‘Wyresdale Park (wyresdalepark.co.uk) at Scorton. We love the Applestore cafe, which serves homemade food, and there are lots of gift shops. You can also walk to Nicky Nook, which has views over Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland Fells. ’

Shopat…

‘Honeywells farmshop (honeywellfarmshop. com) sells fresh local meat and produce. ’

Goforamealat…

‘The Inn at Whitewell (innatwhitewell.com) near Clitheroe is renowned. It’s great for special occasions and serves delicious local food. ’

Bathroom

Lisa has created a minimalist scheme with concrete effect tiles, while a wooden washstand injects warmth. Washstand, Tikamoon. Concrete effect floor and wall tiles, Roccia. Mirrors, Laura Ashley. Shower, Victoria Plum. Upstairslanding

Rooflights ensure the space is light and airy. The cabinet is from Lisa’s brother and she painted it in chalk paint. Mirror, The Range Lisa’sworkroom

Lisa’s calming workroom opens onto the garden. Louis’room

Pops of blue add vibrant touches. The rug came from Turkey. David made the wardrobe.