Teaming up once again with Bisson Bros. The partnership have come up with a beautiful new offering in st ouen, turning tumbledown barns and outhouses, into exclusive rural homes…
Along the main stretch of road passed St Ouen’s Village toward Vinchelez, you’ll recognize the road, which bends off to the right to Greve de Lecq where the old Leoville Hotel used to stand… Well, just after that on Route de Vinchelez, on the left there is an opening to a soon to be, very elegant driveway to Bay Tree Cottage: A lovingly restored traditional barn, overlooking farmland and meadows, set within the charming country lanes in the heart of the West.
Cynthia was there at Bay Tree Cottage to tell me all about her biggest endeavor yet and to show me the uniqueness of each property, “We make homes, not houses,” she said. So true, a woman’s touch is perfectly sprinkled throughout the site as Cynthia treats each home as though it were to be her own. Still, just the right balance is managed, leaving in her property path a sense of style rather than ownership. A canvas primed to perfection.
The drive is, at the moment still under some construction, Bay Tree Cottage, however is ready to move right in to. The large parking bay is surrounded by raised flower-beds and the forecourt is lit up in the evening, showing off the granite restoration. As with many barn conversions and restorations, treasure can be found – an old water pump was one of the discoveries at Bay Tree Cottage and the old relic now sits proudly atop the opening to the parking bay.
The entrance in the front garden leads directly into the living room, handy indeed for little ones who like to venture outdoors – the garden has a secure gate and wall surrounding it. The front door is situated just at the side of the property, with a wide walkway belonging to Bay Tree Cottage. The front door leads into a spacious reception, with a large storage cupboard directly in front, for wellies, coats and brollies, vacuum etc. Stepping into the living room, the large front window and garden door fill the room with light. A westerly orientation ensures that the warmth remains right up until sundown.
The cottage has been dressed, which makes for more of a fun viewing – immediately starting to visualize living there. Sitting on the sofa in front of the log-burning stove in the fireplace, I imagined Christmas Day, which, aptly is when the rest of the development is set to be ready: ‘Juniper Cottage’ and it’s little neighbour, ‘Thyme Cottage’ as well as the main house where developers, Cynthia and Mervin intend to live. Back to the fireplace… it is one of the highlights of the living room. A Jersey Oak mantle piece with a white cement chimney, rugged texture and coziness: A real appreciation of the building. *I was so glad they didn’t paint it. Under-floor heating warms the whole of downstairs leaving the walls free from radiators. The carpeted Living room leading onto the porcelain tiled floor throughout the hallway, cloakroom and kitchen.
The downstairs cloakroom is an impressive size, with carefully considered features and décor. The grandly sized second mirror, flush with the wall (excuse the toilet pun), is a fabulous extra for last minute hair adjustments and a quick twirl. The fixtures and fittings are stunning, a perfect finish and there is a vast storage cupboard in there too.
Into the kitchen, the huge, homely country kitchen… *Gasp. Its size is magnificent and with a pretty table lay out and a few finishing touches, I picture breakfast overlooking the vast lush garden. This house is wooing me. All the usual necessities are integrated in the kitchen, high quality Rangemaster oven, Villeroy & Boch Belfast sink, plus a few added extras like the über cool electric sockets set in the corners, no crumb or grime pick up… clean and efficient. The taps of boiling hot and freezing cold filter water is a coveted feature for sure and the beautiful oak continues through into the heart of the home.
The kitchen leads out onto a large patio area and up onto the garden. With fledgling bushes separating next-door’s plot, the expanse of the space outside is fantastic. With a stable fence at one end, the garden has space for a vegetable patch, kid’s play area or a hot tub if you’d rather. Plenty of room for a BBQ area, Bay Tree Cottage’s garden is an undoubtedly ideal host place for outdoor entertaining.
Up the stairs and onto the split landing, up again to the right is the en suite master bedroom and smaller double bedroom (this room would be an ideal kids room, playroom or a decadent dressing room if kids don’t apply). Fitted cupboards have been installed on the landing where wasted space would have left a ledge for dust-gathering objects… The cupboards provide a lot of space, for hanging clothes, and suitcases, toys or boxes etc. The master bedroom overlooks the West with a sea view across farms and fields from a Juliet balcony – this bedroom is brimming with rural charm. Sunset from here will be quite the picture.
The second largest bedroom and house bathroom are across the split landing. Beautifully decorated and finished, high ceilings are a feature, with exposed beams and woodwork throughout upstairs. The bathroom contains a feature shelf with modern lighting and porcelain tiles on the floor. The colour scheme and wood finishes have been chosen with care and compliment the décor of the rest of the house perfectly, as with every detail in every room.
Bay Tree Cottage is a home for life. It’s charm and personality are what barn conversions are all about and as its neighbouring dwellings are finished, the whole development will be a testament to luxury rural living.
