< Previous10 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HOMES A rare opportunity A unique piece of history, Old Church Cottage is an immaculately converted 16th Century property that perfectly transitions between old and new. 10-15.qxp_Layout 1 20/06/2022 10:26 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 11 HOMES W hen standing at the front of Old Church Cottage, one is quickly entranced by such a unique piece of history. Imbued with charm, the Grade II Listed thatched cottage has been beautifully converted, with extensions blending the classic and the contemporary. Michelle Chaplin, who has now lived at the property for just over five years, notes that she “adores the juxtaposition between the old and the new, the experience of walking from the 16th Century living area with its exposed beams into the brand-new extension with its clean lines and modern feeling.” Sitting in the pretty village of Aubourn, Michelle was originally drawn to the period home due to its distinctiveness: “It’s a one in a million property,” she said. “We loved its history, 12 Á 10-15.qxp_Layout 1 20/06/2022 10:26 Page 212 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY the fact it is next to Aubourn Hall, and essentially everything about it.” Adding their own stamp on the house, in her time at the property a garage has been built and using previous expertise as an interior designer/decorator in London, Michelle utilised all of her supplier contacts, trade accounts and knowledge to furnish it sympathetically, taking time to choose the right pieces for the cottage: “It was a project for us, an investment, and a one-off opportunity.” Touring the property, which is flooded with natural light by floor to ceiling and velux windows and benefits from underfloor heating and aluminium bifold doors that open out into the paved courtyard garden, one will begin in the entrance hall with its exposed stonework and contemporary Italian ceramic tiled floor. Moving over to the right-hand side of the home, after passing a WC, one will find a carpeted bedroom/study with windows to the side, electric velux to the roof, a feature transom window to the hallway, and views onto the property’s patio. Next is the bathroom with its tiled flooring, skylight, three-piece white suite comprising low level WC, wall mounted sink and vanity unit, bath with Aqualisa shower over, alongside tiled splashbacks, heated towel rail, feature windows to the side, and wall mounted feature light fittings. A further bedroom can be discovered at the end of this portion of the house, with carpet, a grey aluminium door leading to the side with an external wooden shutter, a built-in wardrobe, pedestrian doors, and contemporary full length double glazed frameless windows. Travelling to the core of the home, one is greeted by the reception room/lounge with its double aspect windows, vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, single glazed timber framed windows to the 10-15.qxp_Layout 1 20/06/2022 10:26 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 13 HOMES front and rear, exposed stonework and fireplace with limestone hearth and Stovax log burner, and hardwood flooring. There is also a pull down ladder that provides access to the mezzanine area above which is currently utilised for storage. This space connects to the kitchen breakfast room featuring a range of fitted wall and base units, single glazed timber framed windows to the front and rear, hardwood flooring, integrated dishwasher, induction hob with extractor over, integrated fridge freezer, Zanussi double oven, and feature pendant light fitting. From here one can explore the left wing of the home, starting in a hallway hosting tiled flooring, full length double glazed frameless windows, and bifold doors. The hallway further holds a bespoke concealed utility/laundry cupboard housing the oil-fired boiler and space and plumbing for a washing machine and dryer. There is also shelving with a work top over. Off the hallway is a carpeted bedroom with two electric velux windows, a feature window to the side, and access to a shared en-suite bathroom. The Jack and Jill bathroom is comprised of tiled flooring, a four-piece suite including low level WC, bath, Aqualisa rain shower, wall mounted twin vanity wash hand basin, in 14 Á 10-15.qxp_Layout 1 20/06/2022 10:26 Page 414 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HOMES addition to tiled splashbacks, two velux windows, and a wall mounted mirror. At the other side of this room is the master bedroom holding full length double glazed frameless windows, and a single pedestrian door which overlooks and opens onto the courtyard and garden. Outside, the home is approached via a gated gravel driveway with parking for multiple cars and access to the solid oak timber framed garage. The front is primarily laid to lawn with mature hedgerows and trees, while at the rear of the property the paved courtyard awaits alongside a garden laid to lawn with mature trees and hedgerow boundaries. Michelle noted: “The trees have been here hundreds of years, and surround the whole perimeter. It’s a beautiful plot of land, and it is nature’s paradise with birds tweeting and wild geese flying over.” Not just a tranquil and private retreat however, the property’s unique outside space is prime for entertaining, for welcoming family, gatherings, and parties. Meanwhile, although in a rural location, Old Church Cottage boasts a great spot for road links, sitting in a commutable area, and offers access to the fastest rail link to London. Though Michelle has loved living at the property, she and her partner are now selling to relocate abroad. Old Church Cottage is on the market with Mount & Minster at a guide price of £800,000-£825,000. 10-15.qxp_Layout 1 20/06/2022 10:26 Page 5A S LOCAL AS IT GETS! At £950 Price includes VAT and removal of the old door PREMIUM GARAGE DOORS, BASED IN LINCOLN AT PROGLIDE LINCOLN WE OFFER ADVICE, INSTALLATIONS AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN. WE ENSURE AN EFFICIENT, PROFESSIONAL GARAGE DOOR INSTALLATION SERVICE, THAT'S WHY WE OFFER A FREE 5 YEAR WARRANTY. ALWAYS DEALING WITH YOU DIRECTLY, GIVE US A CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE, NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE AS WELL AS FURTHER DETAILS ON OUR COMPETITIVE PRICES. Call Lisa, Angela or Helen in the office on 01522 581244 or 01522 790014 mark@proglidelincoln.co.uk • www.proglidelincoln.co.uk One touch remote Zero maintenance - no oiling, greasing, wire placing etc LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 15 WOOD AND MULTI FUELS STOVES ELECTRIC & GAS FIRES, WOOD, MARBLE AND STONE FIRE SURROUNDS We have an extensive range of fireplaces, multi-fuel and wood burning stoves along with a magnificent collection of gas fires, electric fires and surrounds on display at our showroom in Boston, Lincolnshire. Our stunning selections from leading British and Scandinavian manufacturers such as Elgin & Hall, Jotul, Chesneys, Dimplex, Valor Contura and Arada to name but a few, means we cater for all tastes. Our friendly and helpful staff are always on hand to give you some ideas and help to guide you with your purchase. Visit our showroom or call us today on 01205 310 327. Church Road, Boston PE21 0LG | Tel: 01205 310 327 E-mail: sales@bostonheating.co.uk | www.bostonheating.co.uk Whether you are looking for classic, traditional style or contemporary designs including the latest in media wall electric fires, we are sure to have something to suit. We also have a great selection of fireside accessories including wicker log baskets, fire-guards & companion sets, along with cleaning & maintenance products to keep your fire looking great. Plus, our ‘Outdoor Living’ fire-pits & wood-burners will keep you cosy in your garden year round. Gas – Electric – Wood-burning & Multi-fuel Burning Sensation (Grimsby) Ltd Armstrong Street, Grimsby. DN31 1XD Call: 01472 351651 sales@burningsensation.co.uk www.burningsensation.co.uk 10-15.qxp_Layout 1 20/06/2022 10:26 Page 616 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE purpose Art with Craig Davison has had a storied career in comics, video games and sculpture, but he now puts the brush to canvas to create powerful pieces full of energy and meaning. Hope for Ukraine C raig Davison’s journey to fine art was anything but a simple one. Beginning his career as a cartoon artist working on the likes of The Shoe People and The Wombles before moving into animation and games design with a major British company, Craig has worked on well-known computer games such as Zorro, The Hulk and The Hurricanes, and later as a freelance sculptor working alongside international brands including Harry Potter and Doctor Who. It was only in 2007 that Craig decided to pick up the brush and set aside his clay, and within a year he was finally a full time painter, as he remains to this day, working out of his studio in Worcestershire where he still finds time to sculpt, a much loved addition to his portfolio of works. Inspired by the comic book 16-17.qxp_Layout 1 20/06/2022 14:54 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 17 ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE 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. artistry of Mike Mignola, the simplistic still characters of Yoshitomo Nara, the energy of Goya and the superb illustrations of N.C Wyeth, Craig is immensely proud to be able to present nostalgia in painted form to collectors all over Europe and the World. “My head is always filled with new ideas all scrambling to get onto canvas first.” Craig explains. “Once they’re there I like my paintings to have a slightly naïve, grubby look with lots of energy – which, when I think about it, sums up my childhood.” Craig’s most recent artwork, Hope for Ukraine, is being sold at the Little Red Gallery in support of the crisis in Ukraine and the displaced families and children fleeing from it. The piece is being sold online and 100% of the proceeds of this piece are being donated to the UNICEF Children’s charity. If you’d like to see Craig’s work for yourself, head down to Lincoln’s Little Red Gallery 16-17.qxp_Layout 1 20/06/2022 14:54 Page 218 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY O ne of the main criteria that our clients want is a low maintenance garden. This can be achieved in several ways and one material that can achieve this is gravel. Gravel gardens are inspired by Mediterranean outdoor living and can provide a softer alternative to a fully paved outdoor space. During the summer, our gardens can be quite labour intensive at a time when you wish you could just relax and enjoy it. Therefore, gravel gardens are increasing in popularity because they are the perfect option for an attractive, minimal maintenance garden. Any area is suitable for a gravel garden, although a sunny, well drained spot it best for most Mediterranean plants. Planting is often considered to be the part of the garden that requires the most maintenance, but planting in gravel means you can create a beautifully planted space which is lower maintenance. Gravel creates natural growing conditions lending itself to a drought tolerant planting, such as lavender, euphorbias, rock rose and perovskia blue spire. You need a thick layer of gravel to support the drought tolerant plants and ensure they succeed, and to ensure weeds do not prevail. Gravel in front gardens is also very popular. Our changing climate not only means drier and warmer summers, but also wet winters. If you want to transform your front garden into a driveway or update your existing driveway, then gravel is the prefect material to use. It is permeable and water will soak straight through, and sitting water will be a thing of the past. You can also © stock.adobe.com/ Paul Maguire Gravel gardens a low maintenance option Ed Fuller from Fullers Landscaping highlights how gravel gardens can be the ideal solution for those wanting an outdoor space requiring little maintenance. Gravel gardens a low maintenance option 18-19.qxp_Layout 1 20/06/2022 10:30 Page 1* Dead head bedding plants and perennial plants to stop them self- seeding and encourage further flowering. Cut back the faded perennial plants. * Dead head your roses to keep them looking tidy. Leave the flowers in place if your rose produces attractive hips (seed pods). * Dead head sweet peas regularly to keep them blooming and water daily in dry weather. * Keep an eye out for pests on plants, early treatment is best. * If you need to prune your deciduous Magnolia, now is the best time to do it. * Cutting back growth in hanging baskets can encourage new flowers and foliage and will revive the display. Make sure you feed your baskets well after doing this. * Pick your courgettes while they are young to encourage more fruit, and pick your runner beans regularly to prevent them becoming stringy and to make room for developing pods. * Water your lawn during hot weather, particularly newly seeded or turfed lawns. * Turn the contents of your compost bin every month to keep it well aerated. * Keep bird baths topped up in hot weather. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 19 FULLERS Call 01522 868717 or 07867 510544 landscapinglincolnshire@gmail.com www.landscapinglincolnshire.com GARDEN ADVICE design the driveway to include planting in the gravel so that it becomes an aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance area, rather than just a practical driveway. There are a few things to consider before creating your gravel garden. Small plants can become swamped by gravel. Plant them on a low mound so that they are raised slightly above the level of the gravel. Where landscape fabric is not used, weeds and self-seeding plants may become problematic. While it is possible to make a gravel garden on any soil type, a predominantly sandy or gravelly soil naturally lends itself to this type of style as some plants may not thrive in heavy, clay-based soil. Whatever your style of garden, now is the time to enjoy your outdoor space, as the days are warmer, and the nights longer. © stock.adobe.com/fabrizio © stock.adobe.com/Evgeniia 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 gardening and forestry solutions Around the garden 18-19.qxp_Layout 1 20/06/2022 10:30 Page 2Next >