WELCOME HOME A stunning

from Lincolnshire Pride September 2021

RECIPES & WINE September treats

THE IDEAL PLACE FOR THE IDEAL PLACE FOR FAMILY & FRIENDSFAMILY & FRIENDS

With plenty of space and versatile accommodation, a well-thought out With plenty of space and versatile accommodation, a well-thought out layout plus quality construction throughout, Cedar House is by a country layout plus quality construction throughout, Cedar House is by a country mile the finest property currently on the market in the area. It’s home to mile the finest property currently on the market in the area. It’s home to Tracy and Nigel Skinner who are empty nesters... well... nearly... Tracy and Nigel Skinner who are empty nesters... well... nearly...

IT’S IRONIC that Tracy and Nigel Skinner should be classified as empty nesters. It’s true that three – nearly four – of their four children have left the family home to set up house on their own. But during our phone call to talk about their property, Tracy’s concern was for some baby sparrowhawks who had taken a tumble out of their nest. She was trying to get them safely back in. “We’re quite concerned for them as they’re very young,” she says. “It’s a really lovely garden and it attracts lots of wildlife, it’s one of the things we love about the place.” Nigel is known and well-respected in financial services, having established TNS Financials in the town. Tracy meanwhile is the co-proprietor of Boston’s Bridge House Independent School for pupils with SEN.

Above: Tracy’s two daughters are devastated that their parents have put their house on the market having already eyed up the staircase as a place for their wedding photographs to be taken! Main: At the heart of the home is its 50ft oak-beamed living kitchen with its dining area and sofas. The kitchen is made of solid walnut with granite work surfaces and Miele appliances.

Family is abundantly important to the couple, so when they came to create their perfect family home, a lot of thought and consideration was invested in it.

“We really did think it was our forever home, and we envisaged living here for the rest of our lives but with our four children all pursuing careers and considering a move, possibly to York or Derbyshire, we’re looking to relocate for most of the week.”

“We’ll still be keeping a foothold in Boston though. It’s our home town; we were born and raised here and we love the place.” Tracy & Nigel had already built one house, next door, and have become good friends with the other residents adjacent to their property (Cedar House) who each built their own properties at roughly the same time. The kids were teenagers when the family

Cedar House is set in 2.7 verdant acres, landscaped by Chelsea Flower Show Gold Winning Designer Steven Welch

commissioned architect Sam Culling, now based in Lincoln, to design their home, and Taylor Pearson of Woodhall Spa to built it. Cedars House is set in 2.7 verdant acres, landscaped by Chelsea Flower Show Gold Award Winning Designer Steven Welch. The house is arranged over three storeys and comprises five reception rooms, currently arranged as a living kitchen/dining/sitting room, a lounge (Nigel’s horse racing room for watching the gee-gees), a formal dining room and study, each on the ground floor. The first floor has what was supposed to be Tracy’s sanctuary and reading room, although it’s been taken over by the rest of the family over the years, and there’s a further attic room which has been home to Nintendos, guitars, drum kits and bad teenage bands with aspirations of fame. “On our wish list was a house that was light, well-made and one that was modern but still had character and a quality feel,” says Tracy. “We’ve used bespoke timber joinery from MG Dales and from Paul Bee.”

Tracy was gently encouraged by architect Sam to have a large entrance hall, and despite initial doubts, she’s very glad she agreed to it, given the space for a feature staircase and the grand entrance that it has afforded. Elsewhere the couple wanted a living kitchen with dining and sitting area, and it’s proved

very practical – indeed it’s difficult to talk about it without invoking clichés like ‘it’s the heart of the home,’ or ‘we spend much of our lives in there etc.,’ but that’s certainly the case. The 50ft kitchen has walnut cabinetry and granite surfaces. It has high-end Miele appliances and a separate utility plus a pantry. Also downstairs is a heated swimming pool with a gym on the mezzanine level. The pool opens out onto the spectacular gardens with a sunken oak-framed garden kitchen with a built-in barbecue, extraction, fridge and lots of soft seating as well as patio heaters. “We’ve had so many times out there as a family and spent time with friends in the space. The owners of the surrounding houses were all casual acquaintances before building them,

Above: The heated swimming pool has a gym in a mezzanine level above it. Right: The outdoor kitchen has soft seating, heating, a built-in barbecue and fridge.

and since completing our houses we’ve all become a real community with lots of evenings spent together and much wine and beer consumed. It’s a really great community and we’ll be sad to leave.” “Having spent all of our lives in Boston we’ll continue to be based in the town a couple of days a week and we’ll continue to run the businesses here. But having a property elsewhere means we’ll be able to live close to at least a couple of our children, too.” “We hope that the next owners will love the place and will perhaps raise their own family here too, making the same memories that we’ve enjoyed making here.” n

CEDAR HOUSE, FRAMPTON

Location: Boston town centre eight mins, 3.7 miles away. Style: Exceptional architect- designed country property located in 2.7 acres of gardens with eight bedrooms.