Ralph reviews a detached barn conversion in Tattenhall

The days are getting noticeably longer and the promise of Spring marches ever closer, giving me an enduring sense of optimism. It was with just such a positive frame of mind that I set off one blustery but bright day earlier this month to review a detached barn conversion in Tattenhall.

I passed the time on the drive to this charming Cheshire village by admiring the scenery and before I knew it the car was drawing to a halt outside an immensely characterful timber clad detached barn conversion.  I was thoroughly excited to explore Steeplefield and so I leapt out of the car with an exuberant squeal of enthusiasm.  I found myself on a sprawling gravel drive and took a moment to admire this gorgeous house which seems to positively abound with personality.

Eager to discover the delights on offer, I headed over to the front door and stepped over the threshold to find myself in an entrance hall which opens into a beautifully styled dining room. I felt immediately at home. Standing on the lovely tiled floor (which incidentally felt exquisitely warm – dad informed me that the entire ground floor has underfloor heating) I looked around approvingly and decided that Steeplefield is decorated to perfection – stylish and contemporary, a house that a pug and his family could just move straight in to with no need to do any work.

Beyond the dining room I found a really good-sized drawing room. As soon as I walked through the door I let out a deep sigh of contentment, this was definitely a room in which I could relax. With underfloor heating and a wood burning stove set within an exposed brick wall this was the perfect place to curl up snug as a bug in a rug on a winter’s afternoon, possibly with some classic Disney on the TV – Lady and the Tramp or 101 Dalmatians….

Reluctantly I left the drawing room and headed back through to the entrance hall where another door enticed me further still into this gorgeous house. I now found myself in a snug neatly configured with a study just off it. Now, as you know, an ambitious pug such as myself never switches off so this would be the perfect home office cum Ralph’s Retreat for me – a place where I can indulge in some “blue sky thinking” curled up in a patch of sunlight and then, when inspiration hits me I can make my way to the home office to capture my inspirational business ideas on the laptop – my most recent flashes of genius have included “free-fall cat-apulting”, “trick training your human with mars bars” and “incessant barking for professionals”…..

Leaving thoughts of wild and wonderful business ventures firmly to one side, I took another door off the snug which led me to the open plan kitchen and garden room. Once again this is an absolutely stunning space and I loved everything about it from the three oven Aga to the contemporary shaker style units, the Belfast style sink and the character beams. And that was just the kitchen area, when I made my way into the garden room area to examine it further I saw that it is an oak framed room with glazed double French windows offering fabulous views over the patio and garden. This addition to the house is so sympathetic to the original building that it is easy to believe that it has been there forever. I have to admit that I would love to be at Steeplefield in the summer, with the doors thrown open to the patio and dad earning his keep at the helm of the barbeque.

Looking out longingly at the garden, which my dad told me is approximately 1.1 acres, I was keen to explore outside but dad reminded me that muddy paws and houses don’t mix so I opted to investigate the upper floor of the house first. There I found three bedrooms full of character with sloping ceilings and integral beams. The master bedroom has a stylish en suite bathroom, the second bedroom has an en suite shower room and the third has an entrance to the Jack and Jill family bathroom. Before heading back to the ground floor and my long-awaiting exploration of the outside space, I discovered another room which could be used as a fourth bedroom or a dressing room. Personally I think this would be the perfect space to store my coats of many colours and matching harnesses – well a pug has to make an effort…..

Once outside I hardly knew where to head to first – there is a detached garage block complete with a single garage, a garage room (in which I would place my pug-sized trampoline) and an en suite wetroom. In actual fact, if I put a cosy dog bed in the garage room I could make it my self-contained “pug cave” and I could trampoline to my heart’s content, take a shower to refresh myself and finish off with a snooze, uninterrupted by pups snapping around my heels!

On the outside of the garage block there is an additional Oak framed car port and as for the garden itself, well what a sight to behold. Much of it is lawned, making it a rather spectacular canine playground where even I could expend all my energy. There is also a raised vegetable garden which my mum would simply love and the piece de resistance is a beautiful Victorian style greenhouse.

I have to admit that I was very reluctant to leave Steeplefield. It is such a welcoming home which anyone would be lucky to call their own. I am confident it will be snapped up and if you like the sound of it please do not hesitate to call me or one of my team on 10244 322322 to book an appointment to view it.

Until next time
Ralph X