Labour of love barn conversion is the perfect transformation

WITH five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a cloakroom, there'll be no fighting over who gets to use the bathroom first in this lovely family home in Fagley.

At first glance this looks like a brand new house, but actually it's a expertly converted barn which is a listed property.

When owner Stephen Ford first bought this property on a small farmstead in Lower Fagley there wasn't much left of it.

"Apparently the front was a barn and the back was a cowshed, but after a terrible fire, all that was left was the back wall."

It's taken seven years in all working closely with conservation officers to achieve the end result of a lovely family home.

"We used reclaimed and locally sourced materials and now you can't see where the new part joins what was left," says Stephen, who also owns two other properties here, which is why it might seem a long while to refurbish a home.

"I took my time because I wanted to do it right, and there was no rush."

Because of his skilful use of materials, the owner has ended up with a home with a wealth of character and charm.

Entering at the rear through a stable door you find yourself in ten spacious entrance hallway with a tiled floor which gives access to the ground floor rooms which include a dining room, two reception room, kitchen, cloakroom and utility.

Taking pride of place in the very large living room, with its exposed beams and brickwork, is a feature fireplace with fuel burning stove. It's a light and airy space with its full height floor to ceiling windows to the front and double doors out to the front garden. This room gives access to the second reception and staircase to the first floor.

The second reception room is Stephen's favourite room. "It's huge. I've got an eight seater corner suite and another four seater sofa, and they almost look lost in the space.

"Also it has the large exterior door leading out to the garden, and when the sun shines through, it's lovely."

Certainly, with its exposed beams and ceiling spotlights, this room could be out to a variety of uses.

Like virtually all the rooms in this house, the dining room is neutrally decorated, with a tiled floor and bi folding double glazed doors to the rear lEading out to the garden, as well as a window to the side.

The kitchen would delight the heart of any cook with its range of wall and base unite with complimentary work tops, stainless steel sink unit, range cooker and generously sized breakfast bar, and windows to the rear overlooking back garden.

Also on the ground floor, and accessed from the entrance hallway is a utility with wall and are units plus a sink and plumbing for an automatic washing machine, and a fully tiled cloakroom with WC and wash hand basin.

Accessed via the stairs from the living room the galleried landing gives access to all the first floor accommodation and access to the loft.

There's a neutrally decorated master bedroom with ample storage with its built in wardrobes and under eaves storage.

The en-suite fully tiled bathroom has a modern white suite consisting of a bath with shower over, WC, wash and basin with vanity mirror and roof light.

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With another fully tiled en-suite bathroom with a modern suite, the second bedroom has a roof light to the rear.

The third bedroom has plenty of light and lovely views from two windows to the front. This room would make a lovely study or home office.

Bedrooms four and five are both neutrally decorated, with one having a large recess which lends the option to a fit an en-suite bathroom or fitted wardrobes.

Finally, there is the fully tiled family bathroom with a four piece site which includes a double shower cubicle, ceiling mounted spotlights and roof light.

Outside the garden has been landscaped with lawn and a patio.

This is a stunning family home and with. It's spaciousness, neutral decor, quality fittings and attention to detail means that all a new owner would have yo do is unpack and sit back and enjoy living there.