Back to the future

5:21pm Friday 21st April 2006

"When we bought Pinfold Cottage, we thought we'd only be here a couple of years, " says Sue Nelson. "That was nine years ago, which shows just how much we've loved living here."

Sue and husband Nigel had been unlucky in their house hunting, with three sales falling through, and the couple were despairing of ever finding a home they loved.

"We'd never heard of Tong village, but when we were sent the details we went along on the off chance and it was love at first sight.

"It's a lovely house in a lovely village. We liked the fact that it was stone built. The garden was lovely and unlike many cottages that are more than 150 years old, the rooms were light and airy, " says Sue.

They've modernised the house to a high standard, while remaining true to its character, keeping features like stripped wooden floors, doors, exposed walls and deep sills.

As well as installing double glazing, central heating and a security alarm, the garden has been landscaped.

"We were lucky enough to find the original York paving so we had it put down as a new patio. We've also put in a conservatory and a new kitchen and bathroom with a roll top bath, " she says.

Pinfold Cottage - built in 1850 - has an entrance hall, cloakroom, sitting room with brick fireplace and wood burning stove, and a dining room with travertine fireplace with wooden surround plus the original skirting boards and pine doors.

"We put a slate floor in the kitchen and a ceramic one and a half bowl sink with mixer taps, as well as new floor and wall units. The splashback tiles were handmade and we put in a stable style door to the garden, " Sue says.

"We like all the modern conveniences, so there is plumbing for an automatic washing machine and dishwasher, integrated freezer and space for a fridge/freezer."

Off the kitchen is what Sue admits is her favourite room - the conservatory. It has French doors out to the garden, an exposed stone wall and ceramic tiled floor.

"I love this room, because no matter what the weather, it's like sitting in the garden, " she says.

Upstairs there are three bedrooms - all with lovely views - a shower room with tiled cubicle and ceramic tiled floor, as well as a family bathroom with arch window, raised traditional roll top bath and half height tiling with travertine border and ceramic tiled floor.

Sue adds: "We fell in love with the house when we saw it, with it's mellow stone, rose bushes and a wisteria that looks as if it's been here for ever. We just know that the next owner will love it as much as we do."

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