< Previous10 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HOMES one-off A rare gem, this quirky chapel conversion oozes the wow-factor. A stunning 10-13.qxp_Layout 1 25/03/2020 13:27 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 11 HOMES T he Wesleyan Chapel is a truly unique three- bedroom home in the village of Bassingham. With a wealth of original and contemporary features, the Grade II listed property was renovated to a high standard by Jackson Homes. Its current owner, Rob, has now been living here for two years. When originally searching for a new house he knew it had to be “quirky and different.” Rob said: “I had never even heard of 12 Á Bassingham, but when I saw the pictures of this chapel I thought ‘wow I have to see it’. When I went in, sat down and looked around, I just said ‘I’ve got to have this chapel’! It was my first viewing - I didn’t look at any other houses and that was it, I bought it. It’s just absolutely amazing.” Stepping into the property through original twin, timber front 10-13.qxp_Layout 1 25/03/2020 13:27 Page 212 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HOMES doors, one is welcomed by chequered tile flooring, solid oak and tongue & groove panelling, as well as two staircases leading to the first floor. Downstairs, a stunning open plan living space can be found, featuring a full height void open all the way up to the ceiling, oak flooring with underfloor heating, stained and leaded windows, the original pulpit and wood panelling to dado height. The bespoke kitchen area hosts inset base and larder units, granite work surfaces, tiled flooring, twin ceramic Belfast sinks, an island unit with granite work surfaces, original cast iron pillars and gold leaf splashback details. Integrated appliances include a Britannia range with extractor oven, Smeg oven and coffee maker, Neff microwave, wine chiller, Bosch dishwasher and a Neff Fridge Freezer. The dining area, meanwhile, is fitted with a banquette seating corner and integrated cupboards. The openness of the bright property is Rob’s favourite aspect of the home. He said: “The absolute openness of the main chapel room is perfect, with the kitchen, main living room and dining area together, it’s just one great big massive room and the view looking up to the pews upstairs is wonderful. The absolute quality of what Mark Jackson did when building is just to be admired. Sitting there and appreciating the work that has been done is better than looking at any art.” One will also find a bathroom on the ground floor, with a four-piece bath suite, including a corner bath, as well as a guest bedroom with twin sash windows and working shutters, tongue & groove panelling to dado height, oak flooring and an ensuite. Bringing the outdoors in, a garden room has been added to the ground floor of the property - fully glazed with twin doors and tiled flooring. The garden room’s chequered tiles continue into the courtyard garden, which features hard landscaping with planted beds, twin wooden gates and a walled fenced surround. Rob noted: “The enclosed rear garden area is lovely. In the summer I can sit outside there in total privacy with nobody looking over me.” A second entrance can be found at the rear of the property, with a staircase up to the first- floor landing. Travelling up to the spacious first floor mezzanine, one will discover original stained and leaded windows, stripped and stained floorboards, tongue & groove panelling to dado height and a vaulted ceiling. This area is prime for extra living space or could be used as an occasional bedroom. A further shower room sits off of the space. From the 10-13.qxp_Layout 1 25/03/2020 13:27 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 13 mezzanine one can access the atrium, which presents a 360° view of the open plan living area below as well as wooden sash windows, part tongue & groove panelling, original pews, and a wall feature of the property’s original organ pipes. The master bedroom meanwhile is accessed from a private staircase and hosts built-in wardrobes and cupboards, tongue & groove panelling to the walls, twin wooden sash windows, solid oak flooring, and has an ensuite shower room with a large walk-in shower. A second private staircase leads to another bedroom with an ensuite. Despite being in awe of the property’s beauty, Rob is now selling the home. “Work takes me away a lot,” he explained. “The chapel needs to belong to someone that can be there for longer than me, live in it and use it more than what I can at the moment, whether it be a couple, family or another single person like me.” The award- winning abode is now on the market with Mount & Minster at a guide price of £450,000 to £500,000. Rob concluded: “It’s an absolute one-off. There are lots of chapel conversions out there but nothing, absolutely nothing, on the scale of this. The quality of it is just amazing.” Burning Sensation (Grimsby) Ltd Armstrong Street, Grimsby. DN31 1XD Call: 01472 351651 sales@burningsensation.co.uk www.burningsensation.co.uk Visit the showroom to see our fabulous selection of fireplaces, fires and stoves in traditional and contemporary styles. Choose from wood, micro and natural marble, granite, limestone and cast iron with a huge choice of fires and stoves in gas, electric and solid fuel including multifuel and woodburning stoves. There is also a great selection of fireside accessories including log baskets, companion sets, cleaning and maintenance products and some lovely accessories for your home. 10-13.qxp_Layout 1 25/03/2020 13:27 Page 4The advent of spring brings with it more light and warmth into our lives and homes. Windows that had been shut for months can now be opened to let the calming fresh air in. So it’s time to mix up your interior design and bring in a sense of spring to match what’s happening outside. One of the easiest means is with vases and planters full of greenery and flowers. Studies have shown that being around plants boosts mental wellbeing and certain plants help to purify the air. As well as buying new, you can also upcycle shoes, sinks and myriad other items to work as planters. Swapping out darker ornamentation along with heavier curtains, rugs and cushions for lighter alternatives will have a transformative effect. Any of these items we’ve gathered over the next few pages will add a sense of spring to your interior and leave everything feeling light and airy. HOME TRENDS 1 3 2 14 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 4 5 14-15.qxp_Layout 1 25/03/2020 16:40 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 15 10 7 9 1) This colourful fine art print from Louise Mead comes on heavy, archival quality paper. Each print comes with a small margin, so it can be framed with or without a mount. 2) This beautiful bespoke hexagon shaped coffee tabled from Salt and Steel is built from a steel square section base and an oak top built from reclaimed parquet floor blocks, each individually hard wax oiled and tinted – available via www.saltandsteel.co.uk. 3) This new double sized hanging chair from Cox & Cox is perfect for sharing with a companion by an open window or outside on a beautiful sunny day. 4) Hand-crafted and hand-painted in Portugal and available via Miccucci Interiors, this beautiful earthenware storage solution would brighten up any interior. 5) This gorgeous side table with its stylish spot pattern will look striking wherever its placed, from a lounge to a conservatory. Available from Rockett St George. 6) A striking apothecary style chest from Salt and Steel. Made from wood and metal, and with a matching table available, this piece has nine drawers for stylish storage and will create a stylish centrepiece in any room. This piece can be found at www.saltandsteel.co.uk. 7) där lighting group offer this enchanting pendant light with decorative aluminium rods entwined with crystal beads. 8) Designed in the UK, Smithers of Stamford’s industrial porthole convex mirrors are made from old vintage steel oil drums. They’d look great in the garden, but equally as striking anywhere in the home. 9) Carry this season’s mustard into any scheme effortlessly by the stylish, column silhouette of this vase from Cox & Cox. Pair with a statement frond for a creative display. 10) Mobile drinks trolleys and cabinets are one of the hottest trends in interiors right now and it’s easy to see why, as these flexible pieces of furniture are perfect for entertaining at home and taking into the garden. Made from natural mango wood with antique brass details, this trolley from Atkin and Thyme is perfect for parties, celebrations and quiet nights in. 11) This beauty of this stunning mirror is that it combines multiple mirrors into one for a piece that will add the finishing touch to a feature wall or hallway. You can pick up this mirror for yourself at Burning Sensation in Grimsby (www.burningsensation.co.uk). 12) Melody Maison offer this inventive planter to spruce up your outdoor décor, perfect for spring flowers or ahead of the summer season. 13) If you’re looking for a statement piece to add some character and flair to a dining room, lounge or office, look no further than this striking stag head from Burning Sensation in Grimsby (www.burningsensation.co.uk). 8 13 6 12 11 14-15.qxp_Layout 1 25/03/2020 16:40 Page 216 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE With a punk ethos and bright confrontational style, JJ Adams has taken the art world by storm. Using mixed-media, he puts a new spin on beloved pop cultural icons, celebrities, landmarks and historic figures. No wonder he’s one of the most collectable British artists of his generation. JJ Adams was born the son of a Baptist preacher in Plymouth before emigrating as a child to Cape Town, South Africa in the early eighties. He spent much of his youth in and around the studio of local landscape artist Derric van Rensburg. It was here that JJ first fell in love with bright colour and graphic art – attributes that would later become his hallmarks. Forging his own career as an artist led him to study graphic design at Cape College whilst working as an apprentice at a local tattoo studio. When JJ returned to the UK in the mid- nineties it was with the aim of becoming a professional tattoo artist. For a few years he lived and worked in Camden Town but struggled to make ends meet, so he headed back to his native Plymouth. In 1998 he enlisted at the city’s College of Art and Design to further his study in commercial printing. The next few years saw JJ work as a self- taught graphic designer in the South West of England, and moved into professional sign making to help pay the bills. During this same period, he was also experimenting with his own art, honing his skills and style. Inspired after selling a few of his acrylic paintings through a local gallery, JJ decided in 2009 than it was time to move back to London to pursue an art career. In early 2011, he used his tattoo experience as the inspiration for a series of instantly-iconic black and white images of tattooed celebrity. They’ve been copied, ripped off and imitated in the years since, but nothing beats the original. Since then, JJ has become one of the UK’s most talked about and collectable artists, featured in publications including Vogue and GQ and counting Rolls Royce 16-17.qxp_Layout 1 25/03/2020 13:30 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 17 ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE THE LITTLE RED GALLERY Love art? Then we’d love to meet you, please call in for a cup of tea and a chat. The Little Red Gallery are feeling ‘Love’ with a fantastic range of pieces and perfect gift ideas. 8 Bailgate Lincoln LN1 3AE 01522 589134 8 St Mary’s Hill, Stamford, PE9 2DP art@thelittleredgallery.co.uk www.thelittleredgallery.co.uk among his clients. In 2016, he was a finalist for Fine Art Trade Guild’s ‘Best Selling Published Artist’ award and, a year later, shortlisted for ‘Artist of the Year 2017’. There’s a good reason why. His work offers a powerful skewering of celebrity culture, as well as continuing the work of his pop art predecessors. JJ is undeniably a satirist and in playing with the context and characteristics of beloved characters, he’s making a statement. Some of his most popular and visually dazzling works are his pop culture mash-ups, many of which speak to the nostalgia for the eighties, with images of classic video games and beloved move franchises like Star Wars and Back to the Future . JJ uses a range of new and mixed media in his work from spray painting to hand painting acrylics, stencilling, screen painting, collage and digital composite and matte painting alongside photography and street art. It gives his work a feel of being a part of and outside of the art establishment, punk but still highly sought after. This is reflected in the mix of artists that inspired him at art college from Normal Rockwell, Sir Peter Blake, pop artists Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol, obscure illustration artists like Drew Struzan, Guy Peelleart and Storm Thorgenson, to lowbrow artists like Coop and Jim Phillips. JJ’s work really needs to be seen to be believed. Fortunately, The Little Red Gallery in Lincoln will be showcasing a selection of JJ’s work in an upcoming focus. To see more of JJ’s art, visit www.jjadamsart.com, follow him on Twitter @JJAdamsArt or on Instagram jjadamsart. 16-17.qxp_Layout 1 25/03/2020 13:30 Page 218 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE T here’s a lot of things that define the pastoral realism of Debra Baker’s house portraits, not least her hard work and dedication. It was a work ethic she inherited from her parents who raised her in Grantham. It’s fitting that she should discover a love for painting characterful and charming buildings in a town that’s full of them. After leaving school, Debra pursued her passion and studied art subjects to A-level at Grantham College of Further Education. Her technique and ability clearly impressed, and she was awarded an unconditional place at Lincoln Art College. Debra had every intention of taking up the offer with a view of developing her craft, but, unfortunately, her family were unable to afford the expense at the time. Although this would have been understandably disheartening, Debra didn’t let it get her down. On leaving college, she created her own small business offering commissions of house portraits. Although there were some sales, she admits it wasn’t as successful as she wanted it to be at the time. “Probably due to the lack of social media back in the nineties,” she jokes. From here, her career took a completely different path and she found herself working in agriculture until 2006. During this period, she worked on dairy farms, Based in the Lincolnshire Wolds, artist Debra Baker specialises in ‘house portraits’, pastoral lifelike renditions of buildings and homes that can take pride of place on the wall. The beauty of buildings 18-19.qxp_Layout 1 25/03/2020 13:31 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 19 ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE milking cows, driving tractors and keeping her own flock of rare breed sheep. It doesn’t sound as sudden a departure as readers might be thinking, with farming a part of Debra’s family and heritage. In 2006, she became a farm inspector and, six years later, moved to the Lincolnshire Wolds. Fast forward to the autumn of 2017, and after the much-anticipated arrival of a log cabin in the back garden, Debra once again had adequate space to indulge in painting. She admits that she’d been itching to pick up a paintbrush again for a while and so her former business, DB House Portraits, was reborn. “It’s still as hard work as it was in the nineties to be noticed and create an interest,” she tells us, “but advertising is easier, as is being able to put a painting into print.” Having lived or worked in the countryside for most of her life, Debra is met by stunning views on a weekly basis. Yet it’s from buildings where she draws her inspiration. She paints any kind of building for her customer commissions, such as pubs and homes, but it’s to historic buildings and houses that she’s most attracted; the ones with a story to tell and where she can capture a moment of their ‘lives’ on paper. “If a human being was having their portrait done, I daresay they would tell the artist some of their life story as they sat for them,” she says. “Buildings can’t talk, but as I paint them, I hope I am putting some of what they might tell me onto the paper. I’m not sure I could paint a beautiful view and do it justice, but give me a humble 19th century farm workers cottage and I can give it the recognition it deserves for being someone’s home and sanctuary over the years.” Debra is particularly interested in barn conversions or renovated homes, where the building has been virtually derelict only to be saved in the nick of time. She self identifies as a “warts and all” realist artist, capturing a building exactly as it is. In that way, Lincolnshire serves as a treasure trove, with an abundance of beautiful architecture, homes and historic buildings. For her next project, Debra is hoping to follow the transformation of a previously unloved building, capturing paintings at every stage of its renovation. To date, Debra has displayed her work across the county, including the Lincoln Makers Market and the Bricktree Gallery in Caistor. She was recently accepted as a seller on the brand-new website, The British Craft House, and her work has even ended up as far afield as Canada. As well as offering commissions, she can also offer vouchers for those last-minute gifts. To see more of Debra’s work search DB House Portraits on Facebook, or for commissions, email dbhouseportraits@gmail.com. 18-19.qxp_Layout 1 25/03/2020 13:31 Page 2Next >