SPACE AND LIGHT IN THE BUILDER`S OWN HOME

By Judy Marriott - Friday, March 28, 2008

Little Orchard, in Colmar Way, Totland, makes the most of the light, as in the lovely living room, below. Picture by Jennifer Burton.

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
A LOCAL builder included generous helpings of character and space when he constructed a home for himself along a quiet unmade Totland road.
He also made sure to put in lots of large windows at Little Orchard, in Colmar Way, to make the well-proportioned accommodation light and airy and exploit lovely downland views, plus sea glimpses.
Another great feature was an extensive open-plan landing ideal for relaxing and wandering out on to a front balcony with elevated views to Afton Down and beyond.
Built around two decades ago, Little Orchard stands on a large plot at the end of the road, which terminates in a footpath leading to Clayton Road and Freshwater’s leisure centre and amenities.
This is a gentle amble often enjoyed by the owners but as keen walkers they find themselves spoilt for choice with a network of nearby footpaths providing easy access to beautiful West Wight countryside, including Headon Warren.
The unspoilt beach at Totland and the village’s shops are also within easy reach.
Closer to home, in fact outside in the garden, are a number of good spots for enjoying the fresh air.
Extending all around the property, the gardens include a number of areas with lots of interest and seclusion.
At one side is a sheltered courtyard, while a paved seating area in the level rear garden is bordered by beds full of mature shrubs and plants.
Beyond is a wild garden, a herb garden, a summerhouse and greenhouse.
The property itself has an abundance of features that give it an appealing personality.
Attractive stone facing enhances one elevation and inside are ceiling beams, exposed brickwork and a galleried landing.
There is no shortage of space throughout the adaptable property, with a good-size kitchen/breakfast room as well as a formal dining room and two downstairs bedrooms, which could be put to other uses.
Even the brick paviour driveway and parking area, leading to a detached double garage with two up-and-over doors, is on a generous scale, with space for a number of vehicles.
Also at the front is a lawned garden bordered by mature shrubs with a further lawned area and borders beyond the garage.
Gates within a brick wall to either side of the home open to the back garden.
In the spacious hallway, with stairs up to the galleried landing, is an airing cupboard, boiler cupboard and under-stairs cupboard.
Plenty of natural light streams into the sitting room through a front window and rear patio door with side panel providing a pleasant garden outlook and opening to a paved patio.
Exposed brickwork extends along one wall, incorporating shelves and a fireplace housing a gas fire which could easily revert to an open fire.
Both this room and the rear-facing dining room, reached through double doors, have feature ceiling beams.
A lovely feature of the dining room is colourful stained-glass panels to a hatch to the kitchen.
The kitchen/breakfast room is L-shaped with high, beamed ceilings and exposed brickwork in the spacious breakfast area, from which French doors open to the side courtyard.
Looking out over the back garden, the kitchen area is fitted with a good range of oak units and has a breakfast bar, a dishwasher and a large dual-fuel cooker with a six-burner hob and two ovens.
Off the kitchen area is a utility room with plumbing for a washing machine and a rear stable door.
Also downstairs is a spacious family bathroom with tiled flooring and part-tiled walls, plus two front-facing double bedrooms.
Bedroom three has an archway through to a dressing room with built-in wardrobes.
Wide stairs lead to the bright upstairs landing with lots of space for furniture, side downland views and patio doors to the timber balcony, also with delightful views.
Off this area is a study with Velux window and a wide walkway to the two double upstairs bedrooms.
The master suite comprises a dressing area with built-in wardrobes, a roomy bedroom with a rear sea glimpse and built-in floor-to-ceiling wardrobes and an en-suite bathroom with a separate shower cubicle, as well as a bath.
Bright bedroom two has a rear sea glimpse and side views to downland.
In addition to a level stretch of lawn, the large back gardens have apple, pear and plum trees, raised beds with attractive shrubs trellis, an archway and pergola draped with honeysuckle and roses, a central seating area, many flowers and shrubs and a summerhouse and greenhouse.

HOMEFILE
Location...Totland
Bedrooms...Four doubles
Price...£469,950
Agent...Kingston and Grist
Tel...01983 761005

• Find your new Island home with the CP's online IW Property Search at www.iwcp.co.uk/Property.aspx

SPACE AND LIGHT IN THE BUILDER`S OWN HOME

Weather

Subscribe