Property spotlight: Crazy conversions

Wherryman's Mill, Ferry Road, Reedham, Norwich NR13 3HA

Wherryman's Mill, Ferry Road, Reedham, Norwich NR13 3HA

Wherryman's Mill, Ferry Road, Reedham, Norwich NR13 3HA

Wherryman's Mill, Ferry Road, Reedham, Norwich NR13 3HA

We love an unusual property – homes that have been created using post-industrial buildings, ones built on unusual shaped jigsaw pieces of land, ones that are underground or built into the side of a hill. These three crazy conversions that we’ve chosen this week all fall under the post-industrial banner; a windmill, a tin & copper mime and a metalworks factory.

£695,000 – Wherryman’s Mill, Ferry Road, Reedham, Norwich NR13 3HA

With some 2.39 acres (stms) of land, the mill sides onto the River Yare with some 400ft of water frontage and 100ft (stms) of private mooring… The mill itself offers the best views of the Norfolk Broads, with steps leading to a glazed entrance wrapping around the exterior…

• Stunning converted mill
• The best views of the Norfolk Broads!
• One en suite double bedroom
• Detached two bedroom log cabin
• Approx. 2.39 acre plot (stms)
• Large river frontage & mooring
• Income generating potential (stp)

Harewood, Calstock PL18 9SQ

Harewood, Calstock PL18 9SQ

Harewood, Calstock PL18 9SQ

Harewood, Calstock PL18 9SQ

£1,195,000 – Harewood, Calstock PL18 9SQ

Contemporary conversion of the Dry House and adjoining Boiler House. Grade ll listed 19th century tin and copper mine set in an Ancient Monument and World Heritage Site.

• 2 – 4 bedrooms
• 2 – 4 reception rooms
• 2 – 4 bathrooms
• 7 acres
• Outbuildings
• Period
• Detached
• Fishing
• Garden
• Parking
• Riverside
• Rural
• Terrace
• Waterside
• Private parking
• Mooring/berthing
• Woodland
• Home office
• Annexe secondary accommodation
• Holiday Let secondary accommodation

Perseverance Works, 38 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London E2 8DD

Perseverance Works, 38 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London E2 8DD

Perseverance Works, 38 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London E2 8DD

Perseverance Works, 38 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London E2 8DD

£4,500,000 – Perseverance Works, 38 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London E2 8DD

Perseverance Works was formerly a Victorian metalworks factory, that was split up and sold as shells in the 80s to the pioneers of Shoreditch’s art and creative scene.

• Exceptionally rare opportunity
• Over 3500 sq/ft of residential property
• Potential for further development
• South facing views
• Former Victorian factory conversion
• Prime Shoreditch location

Property spotlight: Windmill conversions

Castletown Windmill, Arbory Road, Castletown, Isle of Man IM9 1HA

Mill conversions aren’t a rare occurrence. However, windmill conversions aren’t… well… run of the mill!

I found at least a dozen windmill conversions currently for sale online. Most of them are on the market at over the million pound mark. But a couple of them are less than half that amount.

We’re highlighting one windmill property located on the Isle of Man that’s on at £425K and move-in ready.

The next, is in Holyhead in Anglesey, Wales. This too is ready to move into; however, the windmill and granary buildings are currently derelict – and ripe for restoration and renovation.

The ‘blow the budget’ windmill complex is in Bedfordshire (very close to Whipsnade Zoo) and boasts 7 bedrooms. The circular windmill building offers 5 floors of living accommodation. The ponds on the property cover an area of 2.4 acres and a ¾-mile-long stretch of the River Ouzel runs through the grounds.

Castletown Windmill, Arbory Road, Castletown, Isle of Man IM9 1HA

Castletown Windmill, Arbory Road, Castletown, Isle of Man IM9 1HA

Castletown Windmill, Arbory Road, Castletown, Isle of Man IM9 1HA

£425,000 – Castletown Windmill, Arbory Road, Castletown, Isle of Man IM9 1HA

The mill was built in 1828 which was only one of seven wind powered mills on the Isle of Man. At that time, included a number of other additional outbuildings and a dwelling. The mill was worked until 1848. The current owners acquired the mill as a new conversion in 2001.
The communal pavioured driveway and gardens consisting of lawned areas, mature trees and pond are maintained by the management company.

• Unique opportunity to acquire a fully refurbished former windmill
• Sought after central location with 360 panoramic views over the south coastline and beyond
• Lounge
• Kitchen diner
• 4 bedrooms (2 en-suite)
• Conservatory with mezzanine and dome glass roof
• Maintained communal gardens
• Allocated car parking, visitor parking and single garage

Penfor, Rhydwyn, Holyhead LL65 4E

Penfor, Rhydwyn, Holyhead LL65 4E

Penfor, Rhydwyn, Holyhead LL65 4E

Penfor, Rhydwyn, Holyhead LL65 4E

£725,000 – Penfor, Rhydwyn, Holyhead LL65 4EY

A detached 3 bedroom cottage with a project – a derelict windmill & granary.
A unique opportunity to purchase a delightful detached cottage with its own derelict 19th Century windmill and granary each with individual planning permission. Occupying a high coastal vantage point on a bluff overlooking Church Bay and the surrounding countryside the property benefits from panoramic unobstructed sea views and sunsets. With easy access to the rugged coastal path and beach by either footpath or quiet country lane the location is amongst the best on the island.

• Unique opportunity In magical location
• Amazing far reaching sea views
• Renovation project – windmill & granary
• Detached cottage currently successful holiday let
• Planning permission granted
• Cottage with 3 bedrooms
• Beautiful Anglesey location

The Windmill, Edlesborough, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 1RU

The Windmill, Edlesborough, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 1RU

The Windmill, Edlesborough, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 1RU

£3,850,000 – The Windmill, Edlesborough, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 1RU

Constructed of mellow red brick under a pitched pitched clay tile roof, Edlesborough Mill was built in the early 19th century and was last known to have been sold by auction in 1917.

• 7 bedrooms
• 4 reception rooms
• River frontage
• Windmill with secondary accommodation
• About 23.39 acres

Property spotlight: Church properties

External view of one of the Cemetery Chapels, Cradoc Road, Brecon LD3 9LH

This week, we’re looking at church properties around the country that are currently on the market. With the drop in church-going, many of these buildings have become surplus to requirements. There are a range of former churches, church halls, chapels, vicarages etc – many sadly falling into disrepair – looking for new owners to show them some love and attention.

We’ve chosen ones that are ready to move into and ones that are ripe for renovation. We even have a BOGOF property!

The ‘buy one, get one free’ property is actually a virtually identical pair of former chapels located in Brecon (in the Brecon Beacons National Park) and just off the River Usk. They’re an absolute steal at a mere £100K for the two.

The Baptist chapel in Okehampton in Devon only has one bedroom however the open-plan living area is very spacious. The charming exterior is clad with corrugated zinc and the interior is wood panelled throughout. It’s a really special property!

If money is no object and you love church properties, Naish Priory could be for you.£2.4 million will get you this historical Somerset home. This 14th century building still retains many of its original features and the expansive gardens are stunning.

Exterior of Cemetery Chapels, Cradoc Road, Brecon LD3 9LH

Cemetery Chapels, Cradoc Road, Brecon LD3 9LH

Interior of one of the Cemetery Chapels, Cradoc Road, Brecon LD3 9LH

£100,000 – Cemetery Chapels, Cradoc Road, Brecon LD3 9LH

They are an early example of 19th century Gothic cemetery chapels and have lots of features.

• A wonderful pair of Grade II listed chapels
• Enjoining superb views of the Beacons
• Full of character
• Flagstone & tiled patterned flooring
• Unique development opportunity subject to planning & Listed Building Consent
• Easy access to town centre
• Lots of potential
• An ideal home with a difference, holiday let, workspace or a combination of the three
• Potential for parking

The exterior of the Baptist Chapel, Taw Green, Okehampton EX20 2LU

Living area of The Baptist Chapel, Taw Green, Okehampton EX20 2LU

The living area in the Baptist Chapel, Taw Green, Okehampton EX20 2LU

The bedroom in the Baptist Chapel, Taw Green, Okehampton EX20 2LU

£325,000 – The Baptist Chapel, Taw Green, Okehampton EX20 2LU

A wonderfully converted 1903 Baptist chapel set in its own garden with the most beautiful Devon setting.

• Unique character property
• Converted Baptist chapel
• Vast open plan living space
• Large master bedroom
• Wonderful vaulted ceiling
• Idyllic hamlet location
• Cottage style garden surrounding the property
• Various outdoor seating areas
• Detached garage with potential (stp)

Front elevation of Naish Priory, East Coker, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 9HQ

Dining room and large fireplace in Naish Priory, East Coker, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 9HQ

Long dining room with red painted walls at Naish Priory, East Coker, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 9HQ

Highly decorated bedroom at Naish Priory, East Coker, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 9HQ

Garden of Naish Priory, East Coker, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 9HQ

£2,400,000 – Naish Priory, East Coker, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 9HQ

• Stair hall, drawing room, morning room, dining room, library, ante room/rear hall, kitchen/breakfast room, scullery, boot room, cloakroom
• First floor: Principal bedroom with bathroom, guest bedroom (former chapel), 4 further bedrooms, family bathroom, cloakroom
• Second floor: Landing, 2 further bedrooms, shower room
• Stables & Coach House: Two garages, loose boxes and tack room, apple and wood store
• Gardens and Grounds:
• Wonderful formal and informal gardens
• About 2.41 acres
• Two cottages available by separate negotiation

The property is Listed Grade I and believed originally to have been a chantry rather than a priory.
…it is a house of immense character, with a sense of English history throughout. The exterior has fan tracery, octagonal chimneys, carved stone gargoyles and corbelled heads. The rare “Beast of Botreaux” corbel by the sealed doorway is significant. There are also flagstone floors, high beamed ceilings, arched stone door surrounds, medieval panelled doors, stone mullion windows with leaded lights and a fine oriel window. The northern door sports a Beauchamp Knot carved motif, and above the Coach House, a stone carving of two roses, surmounted by a large Tudor Rose and weathered crown, can be found.
The property is situated on the northern edge of the picturesque Somerset village of East Coker, near the Somerset/Dorset border, tucked away at the end of a no through country lane with good access to bridleways and footpaths.

Transforming a dingy attic to a light functional family space

Transforming a dingy attic to a light functional family space | H is for Home

More light and more space in the home; these are features that many families crave most and some will even sell a property where they’re happy living, to get it. However, this may not always be necessary because sometimes we can create more space and light by converting a previously unused area like a dark and dingy attic into a bright and functional space for the family to enjoy. A topic you can read all about in this post.

You may not believe it, but even a dingy space like this can converted into a functional family room.

Lime-washed attic walls and window

Strip it back & make it safe

Before you can transform your attic space into a light and function room for the family to enjoy you need to strip it back to the bare bones and make it as safe as possible. Of course, the first thing to do here is to clear the space of any old and unwanted items which can be a significant and time-consuming job.

Luckily, if you contact a business that specialises in household clearance, they’ll be able to help you with this, taking items away and disposing of them in the most environmentally-friendly way possible. Something that can leave you with more energy to install solid floors and check that the room is as safe as possible for when the family comes to use it.

Wooden spiral staircase up to an attic room

Access

Now, if your attic room conversion is going to be genuinely functional for the family to spend time in, one thing you really need to get right is the access you provide for everyone. After all, many attic rooms only have a straight ladder providing access, but that will not always be suitable for everyone in the family to use.

If you have small children or older relatives with mobility issues, installing a proper staircase, perhaps a spiral one with a hand rail would be the best choice, or even a lift if you home if budget allows for it.

Of course, if part of the appeal of creating an attic room in the first place is to have somewhere where you can escape to without being disturbed, maybe keeping a ladder is the best idea after all!

Loft bedroom lit by skylights and round wall window

Windows and skylights

Light is crucial in any room, and attic spaces often create a unique issue here. This is because many only have small windows, and some don’t have any windows at all, meaning natural light can be at a premium. Happily, there’s a smart way sort this, and it’s to get skylights installed, usually by a professional. These are angled windows in the roof that let in plenty of natural light and ventilation.

In fact, many people love the effect that skylight can provide because it gives them an uninterrupted view of the sky which is not only fantastic for watching clouds go by in the day but fantastic for star spotting at night as well.

Paint it

Once you have the basic structures sorted like the flooring and windows, it’s time to paint your attic room. Of course, to be able to do this you need to ensure that the walls have been treated in the right way with either plasterboard or actual plaster, making them insulated and smooth for painting.

In particular, remember, if light is your key concern, then using bright white paint can help even the smallest room with the fewest windows to not look dingy.

White painted attic living room

Interior decoration

Finally, once everything else is done, it’s time to decorate the interior and add furniture. Of course, the first thing to consider here is what you’ll want to use the attic space for. After all, if you want it to be a reading nook then comfortable chairs, directional lighting, bookshelves and side table for your cup of tea will be needed.

Alternatively, if you’re hoping to make it into a family cinema room then a projector, sofa and maybe even a popcorn machine will be in order!

Do remember a couple of things though, when decorating your attic space. The first is that you’ll be limited on the furniture you can use depending on the size of access to the room.

Secondly, if you want to keep things as light and airy as possible, opt for brighter colours and avoid dark greys and browns at all costs. The reason being, such tones can suck the light from a room and make it look dull and dingy, despite all of your hard work to create the opposite!

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