WELCOME HOME This month

A KEEN EYE FOR DETAIL

In place of a tired looking 1930s building in Deeping Gate, there now stands a stunning looking modern property, the design and execution of which is characterised by careful attention to detail and precision. Owners Luke Page and Ben Thompson offer a guided tour of The Spinney...

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Dean Fisher.

THE KEEN ATTENTION to detail of this month’s featured property is an absolute joy. The Spinney is based at Deeping Gate where Luke Page & Ben Thompson’s family, including Ben’s brother – architect Jack Thompson – have created a stunning modern property, in place of what was once a rather tired looking 1930s house. The property has been in the family since 1962 and was occupied by Ben & Jack’s grandfather and by their parents until Ben and partner Luke part-purchased the property, moving into it with a view to completing a full refurbishment. The three have extended the property and have transformed it into a contemporary home that’s light and sleek throughout.

The exterior of the house is finished in a white flexible render with double height bay windows to the front, whilst the roof utilises perfectly ‘hipped’ slate, devoid of ridge tiles, with neatly mitred corners.

As part of the renovation, Jack performed extensive light modelling exercises which predict where the light will fall and the intensity it will manifest throughout the day and all through the year. The result is the precise placement of windows, and the glass balcony to the rear of the property, to allow natural light to penetrate the property on all four sides, with minimal shadows or winter glare.

The property is arranged over two floors and has a drawing room, sun room, living kitchen and cinema downstairs, plus two further reception rooms currently used as a gym and a study.

The property has been in the family since 1962 and was occupied by Ben & Jack’s grandfather...

Throughout the property’s minimalist interior the attention to detail continues with no fewer than 130 downlighters plastered into the ceiling, concealing the rims. There are no skirting boards in the property, just shadow gaps, and the property’s staircase is an opentread oak and glass design, created by Jack. There is a restrained palette of architectural materiality, where the use of natural materials is aimed at adding tactility and warmth to the minimalist spaces. The materials are designed to still look great in 50 years time. Underfloor heating eliminates the need for radiators and throughout the property, Crittall glazing has been incorporated, including the soft-close sliding doors into the kitchen, and double doors out onto the granite terrace which blends the indoor and outdoor spaces when entertaining.

The bespoke kitchen utilises a matte white shade for its island and black stained oak for the floor to ceiling cabinetry. Appliances are by Siemens, and there are Dekton surfaces and a Quooker tap as well as downdraft extractor and integrated LED lighting.

The sitting room and dining room are both divided by a double-sided raw steel contemporary fireplace with Carrara marble stones and a separate cinema room’s use is reflected by its dark grey shades and the absence of windows. >>

>> On the first floor there is a Juliet balcony, dressing area and en suite to the master bedroom, plus an en suite and balcony to the guest suite, and four further bedrooms with two additional en suites. A vast rooflight above the stairwell also provides natural light into the centre of the house and each bedroom features built-in wardrobes or cupboards. Set in around four acres, The Spinney has a large paddock to the rear of the house and the garden’s planting has been reconfigured to soften the appearance of the new modernist architecture with neat topiary and grasses. The annexe, too, is self-contained with a sitting room, kitchen and living room, wetroom and a separate conservatory/dining room in the property’s former stableblock.

Top: The kitchen features matte white and black stained oak cabinetry plus Dekton surfaces. The oak and glass staircase was designed by Jack.

Luke and Ben spent most of their time in London during the project, popping back to oversee its progress. Luke works in the banking sector in the city whilst Ben is a fashion technology creative and works with some of the industry’s most well-known brands. “I think we’re proud to have created a house which is really considered from an architectural and materiality point of view.” “It’s been quite the transformation,” says Ben. “From 1930s architecture and avocado bathroom suites to a property that fulfils our intention of creating a property that’s light, and has architectural integrity. We’re happy it will stand the test of time whichever family has the joy of passing it down through the generations.” n

THE SPINNEY, DEEPING GATE

Location: Stamford 8 miles; Peterborough 8.5 miles. Style: Modernist country property with six bedrooms set in four acres.

Guide Price: £1,750,000.

Find Out More: Fine & Country, aton Grange Barn Offices, Grange Lane, Seaton, LE15 9HT. Call 01780 750200 or see www.fineandcountry.com.

SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL

Shift into neutral this summer and enjoy monochrome style. This month we’ve light, hard-wearing linen and soft tactile fabrics contrasted with dark grey and black...

This Spread: Clarke & Clarke Fougére, from £20m; Footstool in Dogs, throw in Lilou, curtains/cushion in Provence, blind in Mariposa, cushion in Star. Colourway Noir.

Each of our featured fabrics are stocked by the area’s leading independent interior designers...

Top: Kensington Walk from Zoffany £99/m. Above/Right: Sculpture Fabric by Lizzo, £171/m. Right: Manuel Canovas Salvator wallpaper in graphite, £149/roll.

William Morris Pure Thistle wallpaper in black/linen, £80/roll.

Chiswick Grove by Chiswick Grove by Sanderson, curtains Sanderson, curtains in Osier fabric in in Osier fabric in rosewood and rosewood and sepia, £65/m. sepia, £65/m. Blind Strand in Blind Strand in willow, £78/m. willow, £78/m.

Rutland and Stamford’s Best Local Suppliers...

Delcor Interiors: Stamford, 01780 762579, www.delcor.co.uk.

Sarah Harding Interiors: Uppingham, 01572 823389, sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk. Simply Stamford: St Mary’s Street, Stamford, 01780 481852, www.simplystamford.co.uk. n

Please note prices are RRP and should be considered a guide only, availability of brands and ranges at the above design studios subject to variation.

4 Seasons Outdoor Sussex 6 Seat Oval Dining Set with Parasol & Base: Includes six comfortable dining armchairs, an elegant glass-topped oval table and a large 3m parasol and base (not shown), all in Polyloom Pebble and Riviera Charcoal, £2,399 (RRP £2,987.99).

4 Seasons Outdoor Scandic Dining Set: Dine or relax in style with this modern bistro set for two from the Scandic range. Lightweight, strong and extremely comfortable, £599 (RRP £857).

Weber Compact Kettle Grill 47cm charcoal BBQ ideal for smaller terraces, £94.99 (RRP £105).

Sussex Four Seat Dining Set Round table dining set with parasol and base, £1,699 (RRP £2,173.99).

Seville Rope Table Can be used as a table, planter or ice bucket, £69.99.

Kamado Joe Classic II Premium ceramic charcoal grill with lots of cooking space £1,499.

Weber Spirit EPX-325S Gas Grill Real-time food monitoring with smart alerts when food is ready £949 (RRP £1,049).

SUMMER COMFORT at GATES

Barbecues, accessories and outdoor furnishings to ensure your summer is warm and comfortable...

Each of our featured products are available from Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, LE15 7QB. Call 01664 454309 or see www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

MSpa Delight Hot Tub Inflatable, portable, with anti-icing, £699 (four seat); £799 (six seat). Sky Blue Outdoor Cushion Machine washable, showerproof, 45cm x 45cm £17.99 (RRP £23).

Plain Jane Fire Pit 60cm, 70cm or 80cm, with BBQ rack, from £289-£379.

An Investment In Your LIFESTYLE

Make an investment in your lifestyle with a property adjacent to Tallington Lakes. Enjoy a rental income, use it for weekend pursuits or keep it as a place for family and friends when they visit you in the area. The properties are as versatile as they are welcoming and well-designed...

If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that whilst home is where the heart is, freedom in a much undervalued condition. We’ve all missed family, friends; we’ve all missed being able to travel, or to enjoy a change of scene. You don’t need to go too far to get away from it all, which is what 700 or so people have discovered in creating a new community at Stamford’s Tallington Lakes. “There’s been a real upsurge of interest in our lodges since lockdown has been relaxed,” says Mark Shrosbree, Sales Director for properties on the site. “Perhaps people are wary of travelling abroad, perhaps they’re looking to invest in a home from home where their family and friends can stay whilst visiting the area, or perhaps lockdown made people realise that it’s good to live somewhere with open spaces and fresh air.” “We’ve around 400 lodges on the site, all located around 250 acres or so of water. During lockdown when many people were stuck at home with just Joe Wicks’s online videos for exercise, some of our residents were kayaking across the water or just sitting on their balconies watching the birds on the water.” “Our lakeside homes range in price from £100,000 to about £250,000, and are typically configured with two bedrooms, although three bedrooms are becoming more common.” “They’re purchased for people who want to let their property out to earn an income, to whose who want to downsize from larger properties and free up equity, or by those who are seeking to move elsewhere in the country or abroad, but want to keep a foothold in the area.” >>

Left: Tallington Lakes’ lodges are spacious, warm and well-specified, coming fully furnished and equipped... you can move in with just a suitcase!

“Tallington Lakes itself is also a great place to spend time. It’s a happy place to be and a real community. That’s why people are keener than ever to invest in the lifestyle that a lodge on the Tallington Lakes site can provide....”

>> “Whatever the reason for their purchase though, our brand new properties are beautifully appointed with fully fitted kitchens and quality appliances, soft furnishings and features like underfloor heating, bifold doors and en suite bathrooms depending on the manufacturer.” “The lodges are all very practical with the highest level of insulation to ensure they’re warm and comfortable all through the year. Laundry appliances and dishwashers plus plenty of storage mean there’s space to live just as you would at home, only with enviable views across the water.” “We offer a wide range of choice with all price points covered and three different manufacturers. The design of our homes can also be adjusted to create, for instance, wheelchair accessibility or they can be specified with design-led features like high ceilings for a sense of spaciousness and lots of natural light.” “Tallington Lakes itself is also a great place to spend time. There’s a walkable route of about three miles around all of the lake, and everywhere you go people smile and wave and generally acknowledge you. It’s a happy place to be and a real community.” “Unlike a holiday park, here, you’re allowed to live on site throughout the year and there are activities for residents like summer barbecues and pub quizzes.” “On site there’s a swimming pool and tennis court, with Tallington Lakes leisure park providing jet skiing, windsurfing, dry slope skiing and other activities.” “And of course, Stamford is just ten minutes down the road too, and London is just only an hour or so away. Especially since lockdown has been eased we’ve noticed that people are keener than ever to invest in the lifestyle that a lodge on the Tallington Lakes site can provide.” n

Find Out More: The Good Life Lodge Company provides spacious, modern, solid and light lakeside properties at Tallington Lakes (Stamford PE9 4RJ) with prices from £100,000. For a free no obligation tour and more information call Mark Shrosbree, 01778 381144 or see www.goodlifelodge.com.