Mansell McTaggart Dream Home: One off
Heron Estates recreate the classic charm of a 1930s villa
The name Varndean has had massive appeal in property circles for many years. It breathes calm, quiet and quality – and it also smacks of excellent education opportunities too. But this exceptional family home has so much more going for it.
By that I am not talking hot-tubs and digital wizardry. On the contrary, I see this as a return to solid family ideals in home design; a house built and designed with family life at the forefront.
Varndean gardens is a tree-lined avenue with splendid period homes, bay windows, pantiles, extended gables and steeply pitched roofs. It would have been crazy to slide in anything that jarred in this picture perfect setting, so Heron have built a perfect replica period house. Perfect in many more ways than just copying the style. All the short-comings of a 1930s house have been left behind, with modern building techniques and new technologies all having been brought together here.
For anyone in love with the style and the period but terrified of the prospect of renovating and maintaining a 30s house, this is the answer. No dodgy wiring, wonky plumbing or rising damp – this is a new build with a real difference.
“I am impressed by the quality, attention to detail and generosity of the space”
From the road the aspect is inviting; a well established garden lines the curved path leading to the main entrance. Ahead is the first distinctive feature, a tile clad turret that appears to float above the ground. Once inside you discover that it houses a very elegant spiralling staircase to the upper floor. It’s a strikingly luxurious note.
The hall itself is more than generous, being no mere corridor, and the use of glazed double doors into the main reception at the rear amplifies the sense of space.
The living space is more than generous, with room for sitting and for dining if you choose to use the space in that way.
Beyond, again through double glazed doors, is a large garden room, by no means a conservatory, being far more useful and stylish with a high pitched ceiling and windows on all three sides overlooking the landscaped and planted garden and a paved patio which is reached through double doors.
Standing back and looking at the sequence of double doors between the three adjoining spaces and the garden it becomes obvious that while offering so many separate spaces this house is also designed to be seen as one large space, ideal for parties of all kinds.
Leading off the hall to the front is a large modern kitchen with stylish units and work-surfaces, quality integrated appliances and masses of light. It is clearly a kitchen designed for lovers of cooking and in the bay window to the front there is a lovely dining area overlooking the front garden.
Also off the hall is a large tiled cloakroom with WC fitted with Villeroy and Boch fixtures, as are all the bathrooms. Next to this is a good sized utility room with its own external door and a range of cupboards and plumbing for washing machine and dryer. I see it as an ideal space for a drinks chiller and wine cellar personally.
Finally getting to climb the sweeping staircase I discover a huge rectangular landing, certainly big enough for a large chest of drawers and a chair too. It’s the sort of generosity of space that too many developers discard, but here it adds a sense of style and luxury. It also puts a good deal of space between the front and rear bedrooms, of which there are four. To the front a large bay-fronted master suite comes with fitted wardrobes and en-suite WC and shower. To the side the smallest of the four is still a good size and would also make an excellent home office.
To the rear overlooking the garden are two identically sized double bedrooms, thus avoiding potential sibling rivalry over space. Off the landing there is a modern family bathroom, again fully tiled in a contemporary style.
The property has an integrated garage with remote electric up and over door and there is even a garden shed to store that essential lawn mower to complete that idyllic British summer scene.
This house offers so much; looks, location and lifestyle. The road is amazingly quiet, I have heard no traffic during my stay and I am impressed by not only the quality of this new build but by the attention to detail and generosity of the space.
From the road it has a pretty bijou look that deceptively disguises the scale of the accommodation behind. Ideally suited to families, brilliantly positioned for access with Preston Park Station close by and the A23 minutes away, this lovely home is certainly scoring top marks.
Property: A period style new-build four bedroom detached family house
Location: Varndean Gardens
Price: £650,000*
* Property professionally dressed by Andrew Henry Interiors and includes carpets, light fittings and curtains etc within the sale price.
Contact: Mansell McTaggart: 01273 508955
