TLC means there's no need for props in property

The current owners of this substantial home find it hard to believe that they spend their first Christmas there with acro props holding up the ceiling and a paste table for a worktop.

Today the interior is almost unrecognisable from what it was before the current owners moved in some two and a half years ago.

Planned over two floors it has an entrance hall, lounge, two bedrooms, shower room, sun room and open plan dining kitchen. While upstairs are two further bedrooms and a bathroom.

The previous owners had lived there for 56 years, so it had plenty of original features, but was in urgent need of some TLC.

“We’d lived in Baildon for 25 years and always wanted an older property. The house had been empty for some time and needed extensive renovation, but we felt it had character and potential.

“Built in stone in 1914 with large bay windows, it was one of the first houses to be built on Lucy Hall Drive and was given the name of Culwalla, which we have now reinstated. We believe this is Aboriginal for plum tree and wondered if there was a connection between the Bradford wool trade and Australia.”

It would probably be quicker to list what hasn’t been done to this house, which is now a stunning four bedroom home. “It’s been a huge project, and in fact involved much more work than originally anticipated.

“We started by knocking the dining room wall down to make a large kitchen diner, while retaining the original chimney breast as a feature, and inserting patio doors which open out on to decking. We also kept the large walk-in pantry which is very useful. This is probably our favourite room as it overlooks the south facing garden and is a bright sunny room where we spend most of our time. It’s lovely to have coffee out on the decking.”

The house has been rewired, a new burglar alarm system installed, the central heating system replaced, new double glazing including new dormer windows and the replacement of soffits and gutters.

“We’ve also replaced the porch to the side which now includes a boiler room which is very useful, while to the outside there is a garden room with a Belfast sink which we use as a utility.

“We also put a Belfast sink in the kitchen, together with white solid wood units and granite worktops, and the kitchen/dining floor has been fitted with Travertine tiles.”

The majority of the internal woodwork has been replaced while retaining the original doors and picture rails and re-plastered the walls and the majority of the ceilings.

“In the living room we sourced an original Edwardian fire surround, so that we could keep an open fire. This is a lovely cosy room in the winter.”

Downstairs the bathroom has been replaced to include a large walk-in shower for easy access and created a further bathroom upstairs. “We completely rearranged the upstairs to create a large walk-in wardrobe to one of the rooms and a further built in wardrobe to the second bedrooms.

“The beauty of this is that with two bedrooms and a bathroom downstairs it can be used as a true bungalow, while the upstairs could be used permanently for a teenager who wants his or her own space or for guests.”

Outside, the garden is amazing. South facing and on four sides, is has given the current owner tremendous pleasure reinstating it to its former glory. “I’ve replaced perennial plants and hedging, installed new fencing, created new pathways and two large decking areas.

“It’s tiered at the back and we have created a vegetable garden with raised beds to the lower tier.

“It’s a wonderful, private, sunny garden with lots of different areas – ideal for sitting, pottering or for children to play in. We spend many happy hours outside.

“Baildon has lots to offer as a community with great shops and facilities, and we have loved being ten minutes away from Baildon village, Shipley Glen and Saltaire. From the rear of the property it’s just a short walk down to Saltaire, which gives us easy access to the train station.”