< Previous10 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSOCIAL SCENEAn electric atmospherePHOTOS BY ANGELA COOPERThis is just a selection of photographs from this event…Visit www.lincolnshiretoday.netto view and purchasecopies of the photographsLincolnshireTodayTHE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINEStilt walkers, Ferraris and flapper dancers aren’t exactly what you’dexpect to see when walking down the Brayford in Lincoln on aFriday night – but it’s not every day the Electric Bar and Restaurantat the DoubleTree by Hilton celebrates its birthday.During a glamorous twenties themed evening of food, cocktails andentertainment, over four hundred invited guests celebrated thesuccess the rooftop bar and restaurant has enjoyed in its first year ofopening. Popular with both hotel residents and Lincolnshire locals, therestaurant serves the best of modern British cuisine and the bar isbecoming famous for its extensive wine and cocktail list – all withbeautiful views of the city.010:Layout 1 18/3/13 08:36 Page 1For more information please visit www.lincoln.doubletree.com or telephone 01522 565180For the business traveller DoubleTree by Hilton provides a haven in which to work and relaxWork, rest and stay Ŷ5 meeting rooms ŶMeeting space for 2/300 people ŶDining space for up to 250 people ŶViewing gallery for private dining up to 60 people ŶPanoramic views of the city ŶFree WiFi ŶTailored for businessBrayford Wharf North, Lincoln LN1 1YW5239 DoubleTree WRS Advert Lincolnshire Today ART.indd 114/03/2013 14:16011:Layout 1 18/3/13 08:30 Page 1Beautiful new homes in LincolnshireOnly 5% deposit needed*ROMAN FIELDSJuniper Way, Witham St Hughs, Lincolnshire, LN6 9YP r#Fautiful open countrysider8JUIJOFBTZSFBDIPG-JODPMOand Newarkr"BOEUIF"DMPTFCZ3 & 4 bedroom homes from £129,995Call 0845 672 5235 taylorwimpey.co.uk/romanfields4BMFT0GàDFPQFOEBJMZBNmQNTHE SHIRESLoch Lomond Way, Orton, Northgate, 1FUFSCPSPVHI1&#-r0OUIFTJUFPGUIF&BTUPG&OHMBOETIPXHSPVOEr$MPTFUP1FUFSCPSPVHIBOEtransport links3 & 4 bedroom homes from £163,995Call 0845 034 1476 taylorwimpey.co.uk/ theshires4BMFT0GàDFPQFOEBJMZBNmQNOAK SPRINGS5IF(BCMFT&MTFB1BSL#PVSOF -JODPMOTIJSF1&':r$MPTFUPUIFDFOUSFPGBourner(PPEDIPJDFPGTDIPPMTJOUIFarear$MPTFUPUIF"BOE"2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes from £119,995Call 0845 688 5446 taylorwimpey.co.uk/oakspringsSales Office open Thursday to Monday, BNmQNPILGRIMS CHASEWygate, Spalding, -JODPMOTIJSF1&(6r#FBVUJGVMPQFODPVOUSZTJEFr$MPTFUP"BOE"r-PDBMBNFOJUJFTPOZPVSdoorstep2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes from £109,995Call 0845 239 8127 taylorwimpey.co.uk/pilgrimschase4BMFT0GàDFPQFOEBJMZBNmQN5BZMPS8JNQFZLOPXUIBUJUDBOCFEJGàDVMUTBWJOHGPSBMBSHFEFQPTJUUPNPWFIPNFTPXIZOPUNPWFJOUPBCSBOEOFXIPNFUPEBZVTJOHPVSNPSUHBHF/FX#VZTDIFNFXIFSFZPVPOMZOFFEEFQPTJU Contact a development below today! 5BZMPS8JNQFZUFSNTBOEDPOEJUJPOTBQQMZ*NBHFTGPSJMMVTUSBUJPOQVSQPTFTPOMZ1SJDFTDPSSFDUBUUJNFPGHPJOHUPQSFTT5IJTPGGFSJTTVCKFDUUPTUBUVTBOEPOMZBWBJMBCMFPOTFMFDUFEEFWFMPQNFOUTBOEQSPQFSUJFT*UJTOPUPGGFSFEXJUIBOZPUIFSQSPNPUJPOVOMFTTCZTQFDJBMBSSBOHFNFOUCZVT1IPUPHSBQIZBOEDPNQVUFSHFOFSBUFEJNBHFTBSFJOEJDBUJWFPGUZQJDBM5BZMPS8JNQFZIPNFT5IJTTDIFNFJTBWBJMBCMFPOBMM5BZMPS8JNQFZOFXIPNFTJO&OHMBOEVQUPUIFWBMVFPGb5IJTWBMVFJTEFQFOEBOUPOUIFMFOEFSTPXOFYJTUJOHQPMJDJFT5IFTDIFNFJTOPUBWBJMBCMFPOCVZUPMFUPSTFDPOEIPNFQSPQFSUJFT4FFUBZMPSXJNQFZDPVLOFXCVZGPSGVMMUFSNTBOEDPOEJUJPOT012:Layout 1 18/3/13 08:31 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY13REAL LIFE HOMESOn pulling into Park House, what strikes youimmediately about the place is the sheer amount ofspace available. Built on the edge of preserved land,this house was built in around 1905 but has beenextended on one side, a barn having beenincorporated into the home giving it a traditional, yetmodern feel. Taking around a year to renovate, Nigel and hispartner moved to the house in 2006 after making lotsof modifications to the existing building. This rangesfrom changing the kitchen into one long room, wherebefore there were two smaller rooms occupying thedining end, to a complete reworking of the electronicsand a full damp course. New, school-style radiatorshave been installed throughout, giving an even styleand a fantastic aga takes centre stage in the kitchen,RURALrelaxationReaders’ properties are a great source of inspiration andNigel West’s property, Park House in Surfleet, is afascinating and vast home. We pay him a visit to see whatthis rural retreat has to offer.14 013-017:Layout 1 18/3/13 09:47 Page 114 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYgiving it a warm, farmhouse feel and alight, airy space to mull over Nigel’s timeat the house.“the property used to belong to thedoctor in the village and it’s still knownlocally as ‘The Doctor’s House’, which isquite amusing really as we’ve been herefor over six years,” says Nigel. “Webought the house to be our family homeforever, but circumstances have changed.I can see a recently-retired couple or alarge family enjoying living here though.There’s potential to do so much with theplace, I’ve planned to have a hot tub inthe garden and a bar built on the end ofthe snooker room for example.”The snooker room is certainly ahighlight of the property. Throughstained-glass doors sits a fantastic table in013-017:Layout 1 18/3/13 09:47 Page 2LINCOLNSHIRETODAY15REAL LIFE HOMEStiger oak. Re-slated and surrounded bysporting memorabilia it certainly showswhat space is on offer here. With four bedrooms upstairs and onedownstairs it offers a fantastic base for afamily or those used to entertaining. Withseveral lounges too, it’s a space thatinvites guests and is a social family’sdream. There’s a bedroom downstairs on thebarn side which gives privacy to guests,separated simply by the back door’sgenerous reception room, off which alsostands a large utility room with plentifulstorage. This room would be perfect forkeeping dogs or a large boot room andleads, in turn, to Nigel’s own well-equipped home gym, kept cold for17 It used to belong to the doctor in thevillage and it’s still known locally as‘The Doctor’s House’013-017:Layout 1 18/3/13 09:47 Page 3Create the look by vising our large showroom5 - 6 High St, Lincoln(01522) 523004 or 07944218982www.croftcarpets.co.ukWhether you are looking for luxuriouscarpets, laminates orvinyl flooring - qualitycomes as standard.We can also take awayyour old carpets &move furnitureWe also supply a range ofquality curtains & blindsMake a statement in your homeFailed Sealed Units from only£25 inc fitting & VATReplacement Handles from£35 inc fitting & VATReplacement Hinges from£55 inc fitting & VATReplacement Locking systems from£60 inc fitting & VATASTRA ANTIQUESCENTREOld RAF Hemswell, Nr Caenby Corner DN21 5TL01427 668 312 www.astra-antiques.co.ukOPEN 7 DAYS 10am - 5pmWe buy & sell. Choose from 1000’s of antiques & collectables from our 150+ dealers who offer a diverse array of antiques, retro & vintage items.ASTRA ANTIQUESCENTRE10% OFFHOT FOOD & DRINKS at ourDecodence Cafeplease bring along this advert to redeemCleethorpes Business Centre, Jackson Place,Wilton Road Industrial Estate, Grimsby DN36 4ASTel: (01472) 210820 www.wiltonstudios.co.ukDESIGN • INSTALLATION • SERVICEyour Localbathroom& tile service013-017:Layout 1 18/3/13 09:48 Page 4LINCOLNSHIRETODAY17REAL LIFE HOMEScomfortably working up a sweat.The bedrooms have enviable traditional fireplaces,which is a lovely feature in this day and age. A playroomdownstairs off the kitchen also gives a retreat for the kidsto either spend private time away from the family or to dotheir homework in peace.Nigel leads through the barn side of the property andshows me the lounge upstairs, which is a sprawling andinviting space with beams overhead and a view over thegarden. “We’ve spent entire Sundays up here, it’s a realchill out area for us,” says Nigel.The small bathroom downstairs also features a sauna, bigenough for two people, it’s certainly a talking point and aplace to unwind. The main family bathroom upstairs is alarge, traditionally-decorated room with a generous bathand shower unit.Outside the garden stretches off as far as the eye cansee. On preserved land, it is filled with oak and horsechestnut trees as well as various glasshouses, sheds andutilities that would mean any gardener would have aparadise to tend. With a small fountain pool leading to apond it’s also a retreat, both relaxing and beautiful. Fromthe small Juliet balcony in the house’s master bedroom, itgives a fantastic view of the grounds and the sectionsNigel has clearly planned out. A three-bay garage alsomeans any car enthusiasts are catered for, offeringprotection for expensive or vintage vehicles.As you can tell, Park House is a property which justkeeps on giving and provides a solid family home with atouch of luxury evident throughout. It is on the marketwith Chesterton Humberts for £695,000.The bedroomshave traditional fireplaces,giving a lovely feature to eachroom.013-017:Layout 1 18/3/13 09:48 Page 5HOMESMore and more of us are looking towards the styles of the pastwhen it comes to decorating our homes – and it’s not hard to seewhy. At a time when we’re all feeling the pinch financially, thechance to hark back to more vibrant times can’t help but appeal.That includes brand new items produced in a vintage style andclassic pieces of furniture from the past.So what’s the big appeal? Barry Aucott of Astra Antiques inHemswell tells us, “The larger items we sell are now going veryquickly – with people choosing to invest in furniture as opposed tousing the banks. “It’s all about fashion, though. Certainly, if you sell it at the righttime, you’ll make money and if you sell it at the wrong time,you’ll lose money. But if you buy something and sell it forty yearslater for less than you paid for it, yes, you lost money, but youalso got forty years of ownership from it. With modern itemsyou’re probably have owned it for ten years – and you’ll probablyhave paid more for it!”As our pictures show, Astra Antiques features a huge variety ofitems from across several eras. Tastes continue to change, sowhat’s currently proving popular? Barry says, “There’s a growinginterest in what I call mid-century modern – items from the fiftiesto the seventies. InLondon and thebig cities that’sThe trend for vintage and retro items is big news in Lincolnshire, one of the UK’s hotspots for antiques huntersClassic meetsCONTEMPORARYThis vintage fiftiesParker Knoll chairhas been re-upholstered inSanderson Festival,the fifties revivalfabric, by VintageActually018-019:Layout 1 18/3/13 10:17 Page 1particularly big at the moment.But there’s also a lot of periodhomes in the county wherethere doesn’t quite look right,so in Lincolnshire there’s stillplenty of interest in the moretraditional items.”Rachel Jones from VintageActually in Lincoln agrees thattraditional approach is a bigattraction. She says, “I thinkpeople want somethingdifferent in their home, something that reflects their own style. I source my itemsfrom local sales and antique centres. We’re really lucky in this county as there’splenty of choice. What I do is bring vintage items back to life. The traditional way ofrenovating furniture isn’t just to re-cover things, it’s getting down almost back toscratch. There is no set pattern in style, it’s really what catches people’s eyes. “Astra Antiques and their neighbours Tower Antiques are launching a series of fairs,in conjunction with the popular Lincolnshire Showground and Newark InternationalAntiques Fairs. The first is held at Hemswell on Wednesday 3rd April and more areplanned for the rest of the year.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY19HOMESThis fantastic fifties stool by Homeworthy, completewith original label has been stripped back and re-upholstered by Vintage Actually of Lincoln usingcoir and wool felt as was used originally andfinished with this very smart checked fabric07795 313118 / sales@re-chord.co.ukwww.re-chord.co.ukPainting Conversion & ReproductionPhoto Repair/RestorationPhoto Enlargement/ReproductionUnique and stylish items of vintage, retro and re-upholsteredfurniture and homeware.vintageactually.co.ukRight Surveyors LincolnshireA local practice of Chartered Building Surveyors, carrying out: Pre-purchase and Building SurveysStructural Surveys / CalculationsDamp & Defect AnalysisIndependent Valuations Plans for Extensions0800 880 6263lincolnshire@rightsurveyors.co.ukwww.lincolnsurveyors.co.ukDIVAN CENTRETHELINCOLNCall us today on: 01522 775 396282 Wragby Road, Lincoln LN2 4PXStuart Porter Antiques & Craft CentreStamfords Premier Antique Centre15 Broad Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1PGTelephone: 01780 766214www.stuartporterantiques.comAstra Antiques is amongLincolnshire’s top antiquesspecialists018-019:Layout 1 18/3/13 10:17 Page 2Next >