< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHOMESThe Lincoln Auction RoomsThos Mawer House, Station Road, North Hykeham,Lincoln, LN6 3QYE: lincoln@goldingyoung.comT: 01522 524984The Grantham Auction RoomsOld Wharf Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 7AAE: grantham@goldingyoung.comT: 01476 565118The Bourne Auction RoomsSpalding Road, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9LEE: bourne@goldingyoung.comT: 01778 422686in a long time, but it’s the dining kitchenthat is the signature room of the house,spacious living with the highest qualityoak and cream cabinets, black granitework surfaces and hard floors combinewith recessed lighting. As Mark tells us, “When we first movedinto the property, the kitchen was onlyhalf this size, and we very much wantedthis to be a living area the whole familycould enjoy. So, we had the boiler movedfrom the utility room which enabled us toopen up the two rooms into one. Italmost doubled the size of the kitchenand, although it was more work thanwe’d imagined, we were very pleasedwith the outcome. While the boiler wasout, it also made perfect sense toupgrade the central heating. It wasdefinitely worth the effort though as weall enjoy this room and, as they say, thekitchen is the hub of any house.” Fortunately, the property has anadditional utility room as well as a cellar,which befits a property of this grandscale.On the upper floor, the grandeurcontinues with two long landings servingno fewer than six double bedrooms. Themaster bedroom, which is as spacious asit is comfortable, is a delight with lightsuffusing the room. As one would expectthis room also has an en-suite bathroom,which also enjoys rather generousproportions and includes top of the rangefittings including a roll top bath andspacious shower enclosure. The five further bedrooms, all of whichare accessed from the two landing areas,are all generously proportioned and areas distinctive as the rest of the house,each offering excellent views out to thegarden and the Wolds beyond.Throughout the home the sense oflight and airiness is a constant, but theEaton’s aren’t confined to indoors. Thesplendour of its parkland gardens with itsgently undulating lawns and mature trees18-21_Layout 1 20/06/2017 10:54 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY21HOMESFOR THATOLD FASHIONEDPERSONAL SERVICEBRIGG BEDSCome visit our showroom at Princes Street, Brigg, DN20 8HGTel: (01652) 651828 Email: briggbeds@hotmail.co.ukwww.briggbeds.co.uk10% OFFVOUCHER**OFFER TO BE USED ONLY ONCEPER CUSTOMERSUBJECT TO TERMS AND CONDITIONSoffering dappled shade are furtherenhanced by mature shrubs and flowerbeds and it’s this sense of calm andprivacy that pervades this home. Making full use of this, is an eastfacing courtyard which not only affordsa great spot to relax, after the rigoursof a hard day spent at the office, butalso somewhere to entertain or enjoythose perfect sunny morning breakfasts.As Tracy tells us “We love the factthat we’re away from the traffic noiseand urban bustle, as we wanted torelax in a rural setting. But we alsowanted to be near enough for Mark tobe able to commute to work and thechildren to be able to visit friends. And,with this location, we’ve managed toaccomplish precisely that. We love thetranquillity and the gastro pub in thevillage. However, with both children areat University now we’ve decided - aftermuch deliberation - that it’s time to putthe property on the market.” Evidently, it’s been a tough decisionfor the couple, especially after so manyyears and with so many fond memoriesof their children growing up in thischarming village, but Pelham House hasrecently gone on the market withMartin Maslin Estate Agents of Grimsbyat £825,000. 18-21_Layout 1 20/06/2017 10:54 Page 422 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHOMESTreatyourself This beautiful bathroomunit from Tikamoon ismade of solid teak with anatural finish, designed toaccommodate twowashbasins. The kitsch Cactuscollection by UrbanMasquerade andavailable fromCrowdyhouse wouldmake a delightfuladdition to a kid’sbedroom or perhaps aconservatory. Like something froma fairy tale, thisgorgeous side tablefrom Koket is a divinefurniture piece. It’s often preached that less is more. For some, this is the first and last word in style, andwhile it’s certainly something to bear in mind, rules, as they say, are made to be broken.Sometimes, a space is begging to be filled with an armchair, side table or standing lamp. Though minimalism certainly has a Spartan charm, there’s more to be said for a carefulbalance of furniture pieces and ornamentation. A space can seem naked with too fewdecent décor choices, so why not liven things up a little with a few additions. Theredoesn’t have to be any other excuse other than it’s what you want. Go on, treat yourself. 22-23_Layout 1 20/06/2017 10:55 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY23HOMESModern furnishing at itsfinest – this dining roomavailable via Grimsby’sLees Furnishers is anexquisite example ofminimalism meets homecomfort. Designed by Anthony Devine, and available via Smithers ofStamford, this distinguished armchair is emblazoned withfamous Winston Churchill quotes. How inspiring. This beautiful and modern furniture suit from LeesFurnishers in Grimsby would make a stylish focal pointto even the most lacklustre lounges. Created by Mathy by Bolsfor their Volute collection(and available throughBabatude Boutique) thishandmade designerbookcase is a stylishaddition to a living room orbedroom. A touch of post-modernism about thehome goes a longway. Take thischarming key hookfrom Melody Maisonmade to resemble agiant key.22-23_Layout 1 20/06/2017 10:56 Page 224 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSQuite often I find myself taking backideas and trying them in my own garden.Sadly, I haven’t been blessed with greenfingers but I admire the talents andefforts of those who have.Take for instance the garden of RachelWestoby, a reader based in the south ofthe county on the outskirts of Boston.Rachel’s garden is a testimony to itsowner with not only its array of plantingbut also the hard landscaping - as can beseen from its dry stone walls andwrought iron archways. One of the mostenjoyable aspects ofworking for the region’sleading countymagazine is thewonderful readersgardens we get to visit. This garden belies its modest size anddraws the visitor in, which is somethingI’ve yet to master in my own. Thatamazing craft of keeping things in thegarden slightly hidden, so that it revealsitself as you venture further has eludedme for some years, but here in Rachel’sgarden she seems to have perfected thatart. “It’s taken a number of years to get thefeeling right,” explains Rachel, “and thegarden is still evolving, even now.”It is little wonder her intimate creationVariety and beautyin SouthLincolnshire 24-27_Layout 1 20/06/2017 10:57 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY11GARDENSis a bit special with all manner ofcandelabra primulas and florindaes,azaleas and rhododendrons.The aforementioned dry stone walls,help form paths between the beds andunder the trees that lead down from thehouse to the pond below. And, thewrought iron archways have beencreated to entwine with the daintyfoliage of Azara microphylla - a slow26 Á24-27_Layout 1 20/06/2017 10:57 Page 2www.jobearnshaw.co.ukNorth Lincolnshire CentreBrigg 01652 653165WE ARE NOWOPEN ON SUNDAYS10AM-4PM - Until 25th June 2017.26 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSsizeable flowers are the purest yellow. A tender Dipelta from the honeysucklefamily, which originally hails from China,can also be spotted.The pond, complete with its babblingbrook, boasts mallards, not to mentionan island in its centre which can only beaccessed by boat or with the help of apair of waders. Willow and Bird Cherrytrees also thrive on this island. Underneath the trees, other shrubswith a fondness for marshy ground suchas the skunk cabbage grow. The yellowflame-shaped flowers of this plant mustlook magnificent reflected in the water inearly spring, but the enormous paddle-shaped green leaves which can now beseen, will remain until autumn.“Several years ago a friend gave methe moisture loving fern Matteucciastruthiopteris, better known as theshuttlecock fern, to add to my collection.It is a plant that has a habit ofgrowing, elegant shrub with tufts ofyellow, vanilla-scented flowers.Even paeonies, which have a reputationfor being difficult to grow in this part ofLincolnshire, are evident – in particular asplendid Paeonia mlokosewitschii,familiarly nicknamed Molly the Witch,can be seen among the trees. Its leaveshave beautifully rounded divisions,flushed pink when young and the24-27_Layout 1 20/06/2017 10:57 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY27GARDENSmultiplying at a considerable rate ofknots. It forms a classic shuttlecock shapeand produces fertile fronds which are stiffand non leafy. These release their sporesin midwinter, long after the sterile frondshave died down.” And, what a great jobshe has made of keeping it under control.Adjacent to the pond, Rachel hasEarnshaws serving Briggsince the 1920sEarnshaws Fencing Centres have had a presence in Brigg since the1920s, moving to the current site in 1998.The Brigg Centre is open six daysa week (7 days a week, until the end of June), and with plenty free parkingspace, it’s a perfect place to visit and browse the displays of garden sheds,cabins, timber decking, fence panels, gates and garden furniture.Jim Scott has been running the Brigg Centre for 15 years. He said: “Weare a far cry from the big DIY chains and garden centres, customers reallyappreciate the helpful advice which is available from our experienced staff.” created a more formal garden, withinwhich she has cleverly featured a secondsmaller water feature which sends waterdown a small stream into the pond. A number of unusual garden featurescan be discovered in this area too - awrought iron and mirrored glass work, forinstance, made locally as well as a uniqueand fully working antique water pump.Asked how long it takes to manage thegarden Rachel seems puzzled by thequestion and explains “It’s hard to say, asI never tire of spending time in thegarden. When I look out over the pond,trees and shrubs I feel fortunate to liveamidst such variety and beauty.”24-27_Layout 1 20/06/2017 10:58 Page 428 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYopefully you are keeping on top of the lawnmowing and weeding, but the majority of yourtime spent in your garden should now involvesitting and enjoying the fruits of your labour.However, if you would like a little project then you couldtry topiary.Topiary, is when you train trees and shrubs into formalshapes, which can make a big impact in a garden. Theyprovide a focal point all year round and evergreens such asbox (Buxus), bay (Laurau nobilis) and yew (Taxus) are themost commonly used plants for topiary. They are oftenslow to get established but this can be an advantage whenit comes to routine trimming. It is advisable to use thecorrect tools as this will make things easier. Long handledsharp shears give the most accurate control for trimming,and small topiary shears are best for intricate work. An easyshape to try first is the cone, and this can add verticalemphasis to a well-filled border. There are four stages tocreating this:1. Choose a healthy plant that is roughly the shape youwant to create. If you want to create a sharp pointed conethen you will need a tree or shrub with a strong leadingstem.2. Using shears, lightly trim your plant to shape. Minimisethe risk of errors by only cutting a little at a time, and standback at frequent intervals to appraise your work.3. Keep walking around the plant to make sure it issymmetrical. You may want to use canes initially to guideyour work until the shape is established.4. Routine maintenance is then required at least once ayear, although you may want to trim your tree, or shrub, twoor three times. If you do it a few times then this will ensurea tighter knit plant. Midsummer and early autumn are theideal times for trimming.Now is also the time to be planning for holidays. You don’twant to come back to a jungle, or to a garden full of deadplants. You can try to persuade a helpful neighbour, friend orfamily member to call round periodically and water yourplants and mow the lawn. If you have a veg patch you coulduse that as a little bribery by allowing them to pick and takeTry finishing off your glorioussummer’s garden with topiary. AsEd Fuller from Fullers Forestryand Landscaping explains: ‘it’seasy when you know how.’ Finishingtouch© Shutterstock / Maria KoriakovtsevaHFinishingtouch28-29_Layout 1 20/06/2017 10:59 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY29Specialised Servicesin Garden DesignLandscaping andTree MaintenanceBacked by a highly-skilledand experienced team,we’ve built our reputationon an ability to provide our clients with professional, tailored gardening and forestry solutionsFREE NO OBLIGATIONQUOTATIONSFULLERSForestry & LandscapingCall 01522 868717 or 07867 510544info@fullersforestry.co.uklwww.fullersforestry.co.ukwww.landscapinglincolnshire.comvegetables such as beans and courgettes which seem to allcome at once. Alternatively you can get an irrigation systemfitted which will periodically water for you. In respect tomowing, the closer you mow the more likely it is to encourageit to grow faster, so use a high setting before you go away. If you have a pond then I would advise that you try to getsomeone to keep an eye on it for you, especially if you havefish. Water can evaporate from a pond at an alarming rateduring warmer spells and it may need topping up with a hosequite often. Furthermore a useful tip if the levels have droppeddramatically and the fish are being starved of oxygen, thenspray the pond with a jet of water from the hose to put someoxygen into the water. If you aren’t going away just yet, or this summer, then createyour own little holiday destination in your garden and enjoy.Around thegarden• Dead head bedding plans and perennial plants tostop them self-seeding and encourage furtherflowering. Cut back the faded perennial plants• Dead head your roses to keep them looking tidy.Leave the flowers in place if your rose producesattractive hips (seed pods)• Dead head sweet peas regularly to keep themblooming and water daily in dry weather• Keep an eye out for pests on plants, early treatmentis best• If you need to prune your deciduous Magnolia, nowis the best time to do it• Cutting back growth in hanging baskets canencourage new flowers and foliage and will revive thedisplay. Make sure you feed your baskets well afterdoing this• Pick your courgettes while they are young toencourage more fruit, and pick your runner beansregularly to prevent them becoming stringy and tomake room for developing pods• Water your lawn during hot weather, particularlynewly seeded or turfed lawns• Turn the contents of your compost bin every monthto keep it well aerated• Keep bird baths topped up in hot weather. © Shutterstock / Voyagerix© Shutterstock / welcomia28-29_Layout 1 20/06/2017 10:59 Page 2Next >