< Previous10 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HOMES conversion A characterful conversion A characterfulLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 11 HOMES From derelict Victorian agricultural structures to a warm family home, this month’s featured property has been meticulously brought back to life. I n a tranquil setting, just outside the village of Pinchbeck, stands an inviting red brick barn conversion that has been painstakingly transformed from a group of derelict Victorian agricultural buildings into a magnificent family property. Purchased by its current owners in 1996, at that time Anfield Barn was merely a ramshackle shell, offering uninhabitable buildings, mud floors, no services and no layout to suggest its future as a home. A project destined only 12 Á12 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY for a person with ambitious vision and patience, the owners embraced its raw potential and embarked on their gradual conversion. Tapping into the expertise of an architect friend to help with the planning and design, the original structure was carefully remoulded into a home apt for modern family life, while retaining and reinstating a wealth of character features and the old barn’s soul. The brick arches that now hold large windows at the rear of the property, for example, were part of the original build, and the rear garden wall is untouched from the site’s prior life. The owners also salvaged beams from other agricultural structures on the LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 13 HOMES plot, to repurpose as internal wall features, ensuring the building’s past is remembered and appreciated in the present. Stepping into the abode, one begins in the bright and airy entrance hall, where a grand, central staircase makes a statement, ascending and splitting left and right towards a galleried landing. Presenting views over the entrance and out through a glazed arch to the garden beyond, exposed brick and original beams introduce the character of the house and its warm ambience combining rustic charm with contemporary living. To the right of the entrance hall is a formal reception room providing an excellent display of how 14 Á14 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HOMES to merge comfort and history. A unique, decorative fireplace sits at one end of the room, while separately in the corner is a spectacular brick-built forge feature that the owners transported from a property where their great-grandfather had run a blacksmith’s shop. Diligently taken apart, each of the forge’s bricks was numbered to be reassembled inside the barn. Much more awaits to be discovered on the other side of the entrance hall, where one passes a dining room, study, and utility room before reaching the kitchen. The kitchen is built around a traditional, rich red Aga, under a brick chimney breast, with an island centring the space, which is full of texture thanks to Indian slate flooring and ceiling beams above. Flowing into a family room, here the home provides a separate wing added in 2005. Currently consisting of a games room, boot room, garden room, shower room and gym, this area could be a prime annex for older family members, or suite offering privacy for guests. Travelling upstairs, three bedrooms are found on the first floor, one of which has an en-suite, with the others served by a family bathroom. Outside, the dwelling is approached by a sweeping gravel driveway and enjoys 0.77 acres of mature grounds. The gardens hold three distinct areas, each with their own personality and function, whether seeking space to unwind after a long day, welcome guests, or let the pets run free. Currently hosting a football goal, a long lawn provides plenty of room for children to play, surrounded by hedging, while the abode’s main square garden is bordered by mature trees and established shrubs. A lawn is positioned at its centre and a patio seating area makes for an ideal spot for dining and entertaining. The third zone of the gardens is a Mediterranean escape, a gravelled space framed by planting and specimen trees. The barbecuing is done here, where there is also what the owners lovingly refer to as the ‘Italian Area’ – a covered outdoor room, perfect for alfresco dining, that features a second forge, with the original blacksmith’s trough now an ice bath for drinks. The bellows remain too. Separate from the house, the room forms part of a row of outbuildings further including a carport, garden store, and tool shed. There remains an opportunity here for conversion, whether for a home office, accommodation, or a holiday unit, subject to planning. Whilst the owners have meticulously revived the property, and enjoyed family Christmases, children’s parties on the lawn, and cosy chats by the fire, the time has come to sell. Anfield Barn is on the market with Fine & Country for £900,000, with even more potential to be added to by its new owner. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 15 HOMES Lincoln Antiques Centre, Turnstone Road, Teal Park, LN6 3UA Tel: 01522 695820 Email lincolnantiquescentre@gmail.com Web: lincolnantiquescentre.co.uk Discover the new Lincoln Antiques Centre, at Vincent Court, Turnstone Road, Teal Park, LN6 3UA. Conveniently located just off the A46 at the Whisby Road Roundabout, this is your gateway to a world of antiques, retro gems, vintage treasures, and unique collectables. Follow us on + to see some wonderful antiques and collectables for sale and to find our when our auctions are taking place A Unique Experience of Antique Shops and Collectables House Clearances, Estate Clearances, Farm Clearances Unique Auctions offers a full and part house clearance in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands Call 01522 690444 www.unique-auctions.com UNIQUE AUCTIONS HOUSE LIMITED The Lincoln Auction House, specialising in Antiques, Collectables, Gold, Silver, Jewellery, Vintage Toys, Books, Comics, Fine Art & More! Open 7 days Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm Sunday 10am-2pm We can help make your dream fireplace a reality, whether it’s electric, gas, wood-burning or multi-fuel. We have been fitting fireplaces and fires for over 36 years with our own in-house, highly skilled & experienced fitting team. Visit our large, family run fireplace showroom for inspiration. Burning Sensation (Grimsby) Ltd Armstrong Street, Grimsby. DN31 1XD Call: 01472 351651 sales@burningsensation.co.uk www.burningsensation.co.uk ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE 16 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY glass The intricate artform of Graziella Cavalli is a master of glass art, a difficult and time-consuming medium that produces intricate beauty. G raziella Cavalli is a Polish-Italian artist who works best with glass, creating intricate encasings of colour, fascinating fluid shapes, and delectable fruit-inspired pieces. Blown glass work is a challenging, messy, and sometimes heart wrenching art medium. The process starts by selecting the finest components and materials which are then carefully blended and heated to 1315 degrees Celsius, at which point the transformation begins to take place. The temperature is then lowered slightly in the furnace to allow the glass to be workable, to gather, blow, and work the glass with tools and techniques that are centuries old. Time-consuming and difficult, glass artists need to be physically fit to endure high temperatures and the weight of the molten glass, to move at speed in dangerous conditions. The work itself can and regularly does take hours, with then a further period of hours or even days in the Annealer, used to cool glass slowly so that it doesn’t crack and break. Some small bubbles or cords or variations in design or size can occur during these complex processes but these shouldn’t be considered as flaws, instead they’re a source of pride, a stamp of uniqueness, and a testament to the hand of the artist. An artform that takes years to master, even the most skilled glass artists in the world will still have pieces shatter while they’re working on them. Glass is not a medium for the faint of heart. Masters of their craft, such as Graziella Cavalli, will match their signature or stamp their work before sending it out into the world; keep an eye out for those hidden symbols. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 17 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. ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE If you’d like to see Graziella’s work for yourself, head down to Lincoln’s Little Red Gallery18 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY time of day. Early morning and late evening are ideal because the sun is lower, and temperatures are cooler. This means more of the water will soak into the soil where it’s needed, rather than evaporating in the heat. Watering during these cooler times also reduces the risk of leaf scorch, which can happen when water droplets act like magnifying glasses under intense midday sun. Not every part of your garden will need the same amount of attention. Some plants are far more vulnerable to dry conditions: * Young plants and seedlings – With shallow root systems, they’re particularly susceptible to drying out and may need daily checks. * Newly planted shrubs and perennials – These haven’t yet established deep roots and will benefit from consistent watering to help them settle in. * Vegetable gardens and hanging A s summer arrives with its warm, sunny days, many of us find ourselves spending more time outdoors. While this is a wonderful season for us, it can be one of the most challenging times of year for our gardens. Higher temperatures, longer daylight hours, and dry spells put added stress on plants, making proper watering more important than ever. During hot weather, moisture evaporates quickly from the soil, and plants lose water faster through their leaves. Without consistent and effective watering, even the healthiest plants can begin to suffer. Wilting, stunted growth, and, in the worst cases, the loss of cherished flowers or shrubs are all risks when the soil dries out. But with a little care and planning, you can help your garden not only survive but flourish in the summer heat. One of the most important tips for summer watering is choosing the right Ed Fuller from Fullers Landscaping explains the importance of watering. Watering for a wonderful garden Watering for a wonderful garden1. Prune Wisteria 2. Deadhead flowering plants regularly 3. Keep watering containers and new plants 4. Feed containers, and even tired border perennials, with a liquid tomato food each week to encourage them to bloom into the early autumn 5. Collect seeds from favourite plants 6. Inspect chrysanthemums for the first signs of white rust and take immediate action 7. Harvest sweetcorn and other vegetables as they become ready 8. Continue cutting old fruited canes on raspberries 9. Lift and pot up rooted strawberry runners 10. Most perennial weeds are best dealt with when in active growth. Apply a weed killer containing glyphosate 11. Keep ponds and water features topped up 12. Feed your soil with green manures LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 19 FULLERS Call 01522 868717 landscapinglincolnshire@gmail.com www.landscapinglincolnshire.com GARDEN ADVICE 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 garden design and construction services. baskets – Both are highly prone to moisture loss and can require more frequent watering than established beds. * Established trees and shrubs – While they’re more resilient, they’ll still benefit from occasional deep watering during prolonged dry spells to keep roots hydrated. Don’t panic if your grass turns brown in the heat. This is a natural defence mechanism, and most lawns bounce back quickly when cooler, wetter weather returns. For more sustainable watering, water deeply and less often. A thorough soaking encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, making plants more drought tolerant. Shallow, frequent watering, on the other hand, leads to weaker, surface-level roots. Adding a layer of mulch around plants helps lock in moisture, keeps roots cool, and even suppresses weeds that compete for water. Installing a water butt is an easy way to make your watering routine more eco-friendly. Rainwater is not only free but also softer and better for plants than mains water. By giving your garden the right care and attention during the hottest months, you’ll keep it lush, colourful, and productive – ready to be enjoyed all season long, and build a stronger, more sustainable garden for years to come. Contact us to explore how an irrigation system could take the hard work out of watering your garden. Around the garden © stock.adobe.com/Patrick Herzberg © stock.adobe.com/ldprod Project designed and created by FullersNext >