WELCOME HOME An impressive

A HOME with A HOME with ART & SOULART & SOUL

This month we’re enjoying a masterclass in how to reinvent an old property This month we’re enjoying a masterclass in how to reinvent an old property for modern living as we take a look around The Old Maltings in Market Deeping. for modern living as we take a look around The Old Maltings in Market Deeping. It’s home to Bernadette and David Walding, as well as a collection of pop art It’s home to Bernadette and David Walding, as well as a collection of pop art and some pretty impressive interior design touches... and some pretty impressive interior design touches...

Words: Rob Davis.

What a place to enjoy this spring! In fact, Bernadette Walding confesses that she doesn’t really want to leave. But like many people who have renovated a few properties, the idea of living an environment free from dust and rubble, half-finished building work and paint pots soon finds homeowners getting the refurbishment equivalent of itchy feet. “I absolutely adore the place,” she says. “But I’m really keen to start a new project; perhaps something in a Georgian or Victorian property. This is the first full renovation we’ve completed, we’ve only re-styled existing properties before. I’ve enjoyed it so much!” Bernadette’s friends and family are all so impressed with the work that she and David have completed at Market Deeping’s Old

Main/Right: The mid-C18th property is located on the banks of Welland and carries a Grade II listing despite its modern interiors and sense of style.

Maltings that they reckon she should take up a career in interior design. But – for now, at least – she’ll have to be content with finding her next character property and (as she’s an English teacher) with educating local pupils about the roman à clef nature of narratives such as those from George Orwell.

“I’ve just been introducing year eight to Animal Farm,” she says during our lockdown telephone interview. “I like to host a few classes in the conservatory. It has lots of natural light, ideal for Zoom calls, for Teams meetings, and of course, for reading!”

Alternatively, if Bernadette fancies a spot of writing, her pretty little summerhouse is just the spot. The weather during our call wasn’t exactly conducive, but as the spring and summer months come along, the property’s next custodians will be very lucky to have so

“The building dates back to the mid-18th century and it’s arranged over three floors, carrying a Grade II listing...”

many sunny little places to sit and admire their new home. The Old Maltings is on the market now, and all of the hard work in ensuring it looks pretty has been completed by Bernadette and David... all its next owners have to do is move in, position a garden chair to face the sun, then pour an indecently large G&T. “David is from Peterborough and I’m from a bit further up North. We moved to the area so I could pursue a career teaching at my present school, and we found this property about eight years ago.” “My husband was keen to renovate it but I initially said wouldn’t live here... which is quite ironic, as I don’t want to leave now!” “The building dates back to the mid-18th century and it’s arranged over three floors, carrying a Grade II listing. When we arrived the place had a mud floor. There were plenty of ‘window’ apertures – thanks to its legacy as a malthouse – but were no frames or glass within them.” “We took the place back to four walls, wired, plumbed and replaced the roof. It was OK structurally, but it needed lots of work. We pride ourselves on the fact that very little was disposed of, though. Flagstones and old beams were requisitioned for the garden.” “Both David and I love our art, so the kitchen had to be part-reception room and part-art gallery.” >>

>> “We incorporated oak work surfaces and Siemens appliances, and added French doors and the conservatory, to really bring the inside and the outdoor spaces together.” “In the spring and summer months there’s a nice flow of air through the conservatory so it never feels stifling, but it’s never too breezy either, and the terrace next to it really serves as another reception room all season long.” “There’s a large sitting room which has a contemporary fireplace and we’ve installed underfloor heating throughout the house too. Elsewhere I’ve indulged a love of mid-C20th furniture like an Aarnio chair in the kitchen and I’ve commissioned pop art prints of the family. There’s a Paul Smith design to the carpet which runs up the stairs, hopefully reflecting our aim of imparting a modern feel into a period property.”

“I had a fascination with French château style properties so I laid out the gardens myself in keeping with that aesthetic. There’s box ball hedging, and a number of olive trees as well as oak, horse chestnut and walnut trees.”

“The house also leads down to the Welland and we keep a little rowing boat there. On one occasion a few friends and I took it upon ourselves to row into town to pick up a takeaway with some pretty hilarious consequences. It took about an hour and it was pretty impractical but definitely worth it for the giggles.” “And I think that sums the house up really. It’s a really happy place with lots of light, lots of bright space and lots of fun touches like the pewter free-standing bath in the master bedroom.”

“We’ve absolutely loved living here but a new project is beckoning. We think we’ve found something nearby – we don’t want to leave the town – so we’re looking for someone who will love the space and put their own character into it.” n

THE OLD MALTINGS, MARKET DEEPING

Location: Market Deeping, Stamford 14 mins, P’Boro 16 mins. Style: Beautifully restored former malthouse with modern interiors.

Guide Price: OIEO £700,000.

Find Out More: Fine & Country, Seaton Grange Barn Offices, LE15 9HT. Tel: 01780 750 200, or see www.fineandcountry.com.