From tired to transformed

This impressive family home has undergone an award-winning extension and renovation to provide high specification, spacious accommodation in a sought after village location.

Current owners Dean and Heidi Francis have the ability to see potential in a property and that is what first drew them to the detached house on Waterloo Lane, Skellingthorpe.

“The house was called ‘Theron’ two years ago when we first came to look around,” said Dean. “It was built in the early 1960s as a three bedroom home with a double garage, sitting in its own grounds in this pleasant non-estate location. It was looking tired though and definitely in need of some TLC.”

With their youngest daughter still living with them and other family members in the village, the house was a perfect latest project for the couple, to create a home which fulfils the demands of 21st-century living.

“Only the dining, living area and two bedrooms of the original house still remain as part of the building, as we knocked down the old garage and single storey elevation. In their place we built a brand new two-storey extension to the side and double garage with accommodation above.”

The transformation means that the house is unrecognisable from its previous appearance with an impressive entrance porch, large glazed feature windows throughout and stylish timber and render clad finish to the exterior.

Accommodation on the ground floor is accessed via the main entrance door leading into a reception hall with tiled floor, cloakroom with WC, basin and vanity unit and a solid oak staircase.

The hall gives access to a spacious study or family room with fitted desk units and cupboards, and the large sitting room which measures 18 feet by 15 feet 4 inches. The sitting room boasts double-glazed bi-folding doors fitted with internal blinds along with a feature fireplace with a Contura wood burner. The hall also gives access to an open plan kitchen, living and dining area which opens onto the rear garden of the property.

The kitchen area has been fitted with a range of sleek and contemporary Schüller glass fronted kitchen units. There is a large central island with drawers and units below and quartz work surfaces. NEFF induction hob and integral NEFF ovens and steam ovens are fitted along with other high specification appliances. The open plan living and dining area has a floor to ceiling feature window which has remote controlled part internal fitted blinds. There are three feature wall radiators as well as American walnut wood flooring. Leading from the kitchen is a separate utility room with its own side entrance door as well as a range of integral appliances, granite work surface and fitted units.

“The beauty of a major renovation of this type is that Heidi and I have been able to integrate all of the features which we like about comfortable, contemporary living. The styling and colour palettes have continuity throughout. There is light, space and open plan opportunities for entertaining. We have favoured blinds rather than traditional window dressings and of course cabling includes media points throughout the house. We have installed gas central heating but also a cosy log burner to bring a radiant focal point to the sitting room.”

The staircase leads to a first floor galleried landing with an aluminium double-glazed window overlooking the front of the property. On this floor are four double bedrooms. The master bedroom has a feature high vaulted ceiling and Velux windows as well as a dressing area, mezzanine balcony and an en-suite bathroom with walk-in rainfall shower. Bedroom 2 has its own dressing area and en-suite with walk-in shower while bedrooms 3 and 4 have access to the family bathroom. This bathroom has a high vaulted ceiling as well as a ‘his’ and ‘hers’ walk-in shower and a feature, free standing bath.

Outside there is a driveway providing off road parking for several vehicles and an integral double garage. The gardens to the rear have a large patio area, lawns, summer house and a range of mature shrubs and trees.

Dean and Heidi have thoroughly enjoyed the spaciousness of their impressive family home and also the proximity to family and friends. “We have loved to open up with bi-fold doors onto the garden and have that seamless access from inside to outside. This is an ideal house in which to entertain but there are also private and cosy spaces in contrast. We were delighted when the work here was recognised by North Kesteven Council. We recently won a highly commended award for the best extended and amended works to an existing home in the district. This has been a thoroughly enjoyable project for us with no major challenges, which progressed very smoothly.”

Their plans are to move to a slightly larger property in the area which they have already identified. “Skellingthorpe is a lovely village with excellent amenities and access to the city of course. We are not moving too far away from family but we will miss them being only down the road.”

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