< PreviousHOMES village home This month’s featured abode is a peaceful property that lends itself well to both A peaceful A peaceful LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 11 HOMES P laced in a pretty, village location in Newton-on-Trent, Church Farm is a warm, family home ideal whether entertaining or wishing to unwind in tranquil peace after a long day. The current owners, Rachel and Rob have lived at the property for eight years, initially drawn to the abode’s locale and 12 Á12 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY cosy nature. “It was such a well- presented, homely property,” Rachel shared, “and for us, as we needed to be able to access all the transport links throughout the UK for work, it was in perfect reach of the A1, the train at Newark direct into London, and East Midlands Airport. But at the same time, it maintains that village feel and there’s a nice community here, which was quite different from where we were living in the south of England, which was very busy and very noisy.” With the single storey element of the house originally part of the farm that stood on site, and the rest of the dwelling built in 1990, in their time at Church Farm, Rachel and Rob have undertaken their own work to enhance the home. Rachel detailed: “From the moment we moved in we started making some improvements, such as to the snug, where we put in a new fireplace and chimney, and we have redecorated throughout to our own taste.” The family have also undertaken significant work outside: “When we came here the garden was mainly laid to lawn, so we created additional patio areas and built a summer house which has access to heating and electricity, so could be used as a home office. This means there are lots of areas to entertain now. We’ve also planted the garden up. The whole place has borders and beds so it’s much more attractive and wildlife friendly.” To tour Church Farm, wooden gates open to a gravel driveway leading up to the property and double garage, guided by a border full of colour with alliums and hollyhocks, foxgloves, roses, and clematis. To reach the front door one passes the front garden, with a lawn and mature planted beds containing lush flowers and shrubs. Three different coloured wisterias draping across the house — purple, pink, and off white — then greet you before stepping into the entrance hall. Immediately to the right is the dual aspect sitting room, the focal point of which is the marble hearth with a working open fire and wooden surround. Wooden glazed French doors lead to the dining room, which can also be entered from the hall, hosting feature ceiling lights and French doors to a raised terrace patio seating area, prime for LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 13 HOMES alfresco dining. Returning to the entrance hall, a WC and study can be found, before one discovers the heart of the home, the kitchen. Holding tiled effect vinyl flooring, triple aspect windows, a range of wall and base units with roll top work surfaces over, a ceramic sink and drainer, tiled splashbacks, an integrated oven with gas hob and extractor, space for a free standing fridge, an integrated dishwasher, a pantry cupboard and exposed beam work, the key feature here is the AGA dating from the 1950s in its brick inglenook, filling the house with warmth. “The kitchen is great when 14 Á14 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY hosting guests,” Rachel said. “They can sit around the kitchen table so you can socialise while cooking and then you can eat in the dining room.” Connected to the kitchen is the boot room, which acts as an access point to the outside and the remainder of the ground floor, where one will uncover a utility room, further WC, snug, and office which leads to the garage. The snug is Rachel’s favourite room in the home, featuring exposed beam work, dual aspect windows, French doors, and a stone hearth and surround with an open fire. “The name snug describes it perfectly,” Rachel said. “We’ve got an open fire, and we spend our winter evenings in there, cosying up with the cats with the fire burning away, putting a movie on with a glass of wine, and at Christmas it’s beautiful.” Travelling upstairs, from the first floor landing four bedrooms can be accessed, including one with its own ensuite containing wood effect vinyl flooring, a pedestal wash hand basin, low level WC, bidet, bath with shower attachment over, and tiled splashbacks. The first floor also hosts an airing cupboard and further bathroom featuring wood effect vinyl flooring, tiled splashbacks, a bath, bidet, low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin, and fully tiled shower cubicle. One can then explore the second floor, where there are two additional bedrooms, storage cupboards, and a bathroom with a low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin, bath, heated towel rail, and tiled splashbacks. Outside, the garden provides a plethora of places to relax, entertain, and enjoy a spot of gardening, with decked, patio, and terrace areas, a summerhouse, plenty of lawn for children and pets to run around and mature planted beds. “There’s lots of different areas in the garden you can use,” Rachel shared. “You can have your morning coffee in the sunshine up front, but in the afternoon you might want a bit of shade so you go to one of the other terrace areas, and in the evening you may want to go up to the summerhouse and open the doors. So there is plenty of choice depending on what you want to do.” Rachel further noted her love for her borders, which present a mix of different types to appreciate, including an eye- catching white border full of blooms that arrive early in the year, stocked with Incredibloom hydrangeas, David Austin roses (which count themselves amongst the over 50 roses in the garden) and tulips. Also worth note is a small walled kitchen garden that would be splendid for growing herbs, which currently is full of rambling and climbing roses and clematis. A storage shed and coal store complete the property, which the owners Visit Grimsby’s Premier Fireplace Showroom. Over 75 beautiful displays. In-house fitting services available. Burning Sensation (Grimsby) Ltd Armstrong Street, Grimsby. DN31 1XD Call: 01472 351651 sales@burningsensation.co.uk www.burningsensation.co.uk LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 15 HOMES say is peaceful and quiet. “We back on to the churchyard,” Rachel said, “and are not overlooked, so you have a lot of privacy in the garden. The terraced areas are great for entertaining and we love having the neighbours and friends round, but at the same time you can go out at five o’clock on a summer’s morning with a coffee and it’s just silent and beautiful.” As such a calming place, it is perhaps no surprise that the house is a haven for wildlife, visited by a wealth of birds — including pheasants, partridges, and goldcrests — hedgehogs, squirrels, and muntjac deer. While Rachel and Rob have adored the property, the time has come to sell. Church Farm is on the market with Mount & Minster with a guide price of £625,000 to £650,000. ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE Caroline Deighton’s paintings are full of colour, contemporary landscapes inspired by the British countryside, and narratives full of humour and affection. 16 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY G rowing up in rural Cheshire and now living in Eccleshall, Caroline often feels fortunate to have lived in such lovely parts of Britain. She travels from coast to coast, taking long walks and hikes, and often states that she’s rarely happier than when at the top of a mountain! She’s spent a considerable amount of time exploring the Lake District, as well as the lochs of the Scottish Highlands. The influences of all of Caroline’s travels are often found in her paintings, giving a sense of home and wonder no matter where you are from. Caroline strives to capture the beauty she sees and feels while out walking in these stunning locations. With a strong focus on light in her work, it’s no surprise that Caroline toys to recreate the warm, sunset evenings that she experiences on her walks. She also loves to add in the characters that she’s met on her walks into her artwork, as well as the recurring couples that pop up throughout her portfolio. Caroline’s work is instantly recognisable, with her mixture of humour and human connection. In Lincolnshire, her work can be found at The Little Red Gallery in Lincoln’s Bailgate, where her limited edition prints and original paintings are almost always on display. Capturing theLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 17 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. If you’d like to see Caroline’s work for yourself, head down to Lincoln’s Little Red GalleryGARDEN ADVICE 18 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Ed Fuller shares how adding a little light to your garden can make it enjoyable year-round. the next level. But be cautious: too much lighting can cheapen the overall effect, stripping away subtlety and leaving your garden looking more like a floodlit football pitch. Select your lighting thoughtfully or consult a professional. One popular option is spike lights, which are adjustable and often used to accentuate trees or add depth to flower borders at night with warm LED light. These lights are easy to install, simply pushing into the ground, and can be moved around as needed. While spike lights can also be solar-powered, opting for sturdy, high-quality versions will ensure the best light output. To create a cozy seating area, consider zoning off a secluded spot on your patio with elegant garden wall lights that cast a warm glow. Pair this with an open bowl fire pit and a few faux fur blankets, and you’ve created a romantic setting in your own backyard. Stringing festoon lighting, powered by mains electricity, across a A s the colder months set in, the nights grow longer. It’s dark when we wake up, and dark when we return home, often leaving our gardens neglected and underutilized compared to summer evenings. The early sunsets, sometimes as soon as 4PM, can make us feel uninspired. However, garden lighting can transform your outdoor space into a magical twilight retreat, perfect for winter enjoyment— whether you’re spending time outside or simply admiring the view from indoors. There are many simple ways to add a ‘wow’ factor to your garden, from built-in electrics to elegant solar lights, catering to all preferences and needs. Effective garden lighting should be purposeful and carefully chosen. Beyond the obvious benefits, it adds depth and dimension to your garden. For example, lighting installed in flower beds can highlight the texture of leaves or bark on specimen plants, elevating your garden to Let there beLet there be* Keep checking that your greenhouse heaters are working, and your winter protection structures are still securely in place. You can place cloches over tender plants to give them extra protection from frost. * Make sure your pond does not freeze. * Prune apple and pear trees. * Your leeks, parsnips, winter cabbages and sprouts should be ready for harvesting. However, make sure they are stored away from mice. * You can work off Christmas excesses by digging over bare areas of ground. * You may need to do one last collection of autumn leaves. * Keep your paths clean and remove moss and lichen. * Treat timber sheds and fences with preservatives. * Wrap insulation around garden taps. * Prune tall bush roses, ornamental vines, deciduous hedges, trees and shrubs. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 19 FULLERS Call 01522 868717 or 07867 510544 landscapinglincolnshire@gmail.com www.landscapinglincolnshire.com GARDEN ADVICE Specialised Service in Garden Design and Landscaping Backed by a highly-skilled and experienced team, we’ve built our reputation on an ability to provide our clients with professional, tailored garden design and construction services. Around the garden pergola or covered shelter adds a whimsical sparkle to your garden. Traditional string lights bring a magical quality to any outdoor space, while festoon lights work beautifully in woodland settings. Remember, a little light goes a long way at night—use it selectively and embrace darkness to conceal less desirable areas. You can also use your water feature to create mood lighting at this time of year. Many features incorporate lighting and so, even when you have emptied it of water for the winter months, you can still switch on the lighting to create a focal point. Lighting up your garden during this time of year, even if it’s just to enjoy from the warmth of indoors, ensures you continue to appreciate your outdoor space throughout the colder months. The accompanying images showcase lighting installations we’ve completed for our clients, allowing them to enjoy their gardens all year round. Everyone at Fullers would like to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.Next >