Month: July 2016

Formal gardens and private woodland define the experience at Brentwood

There is no doubt that the accommodation at Brentwood, on the fringes of West Meon, is stunning. Spanning four floors, this is an incredibly spacious home but it is the setting, formal gardens, private woodland, swimming pool, stables and outbuildings that define this unique home.

This country home sits within a total of 17 acres where formal gardens surround the house and the driveway splits to provide access to the equestrian area where there are six stables, manege, store room and offices and an enclosed courtyard leading onto the paddocks. The tree lined avenue continues to the house and block paved parking in front of the triple garage. There is a further garage block with a first floor workshop or office. The formal gardens have been beautifully laid out with manicured lawns, clipped hedges, shrub borders and wide sandstone terraces up to the swimming pool. The backdrop is delightful with eight acres of private woodland providing wonderful seclusion.

At the entrance level the principal living space includes formal drawing and dining rooms with an amazing open plan family kitchen where as well as space for extended family meals there are zones for relaxing and double doors open from here and from the dining room into an extensive conservatory. Valuable utility space links through to the garaging.

A central ash stairway descends to the lower ground floor where the rooms are currently arranged as a cinema, games room, wine store, gymnasium and store room, together with a stylish bar area.

A light and airy first floor landing provides far reaching views over the front lawns and leads off to the principal bedrooms including the master suite which has double doors opening to a south easterly facing balcony and a……

When you know what you want from a house, how glorious it must be to take charge of its inception and creation.

That’s exactly the approach taken by the owners of Richmond House in Stamford Avenue on Hayling Island, but now they have decided to move on after 20 years someone else can now take possession of their vision, which remains perfectly suited to contemporary lifestyles.

“This is one of those must-see properties for home buyers who are only satisfied with the very best,” says Anne-Marie Green, of Fine and Country Southern Hampshire. The house is large at more than 4,530 sq ft but it has pleasing proportions and well laid out rooms along with some interesting corners.

“It stands on the corner of the Seafront but is well protected behind its high wall to give the south-facing garden excellent privacy. Within the garden is a fine summer house with louvre screen walls that’s open on the side facing the terrace and the house.

“Living here is all about enjoying life and the garden certainly encourages that whether you want to party with friends or just enjoy a barbecue with family or just the two of you.

“The ground floor has a vast open-plan living area where the bay window in the sitting area is set in a glazed wall and has French windows onto the terrace. The kitchen is a fantastic work space, convenient for a quick breakfast but sufficient to keep even the best professional caterers happy when it’s party time! The kitchen is the link between the sitting and dining areas, the latter with an orangery that’s also open to the kitchen. Quiet moments can be enjoyed in the separate family room and there’s also a home office or gym, depending on whether you prefer work or……