Park Close, Kirtlington

Extending to over 2,000 sq feet, a beautifully extended and reimagined detached house combining wonderful light and space with exceptional style. Vaulted ceilings, a floating wood burner, 26x16 kitchen/day room, & a fab garden with Pétanque pitch are just a few of the reasons it's a must-view!

Kirtlington needs little introduction locally. It is, simply, one of the most popular villages in North Oxfordshire. There are many reasons. The great local primary school also feeds through to an excellent C of E secondary in Woodstock (with private schools also within easy driving distance). Two high quality pub/restaurants provide great food and drink. Close road and rail links (40 mins to Marylebone from Bicester North - 6 miles away) provide immensely easy commuting. The old stone quarry by the canal, plus the Capability Brown gardens of Kirtlington Park, offer lovely walks etc. But for many, it's the community with its all-inclusive ethos, sense of vibrancy and spirit that makes it the sort of place people rarely want to leave.

Park Close is a deliciously quiet cul-de-sac, a pleasingly diverse mix of single and double story houses, making it feel organic and relaxed. It’s also worth noting that in recent years most of the properties have been extended, improved, some even replaced with more grand items, such is the desirability of both the village and this location within it. "The Hedges" started life as a perfectly pleasant bungalow, but from that unassuming starting point has been dramatically reimagined. Where there once was convention, now there is individuality and flair. Light and air is the overriding theme, but the stylish way in which that has been interpreted is just wonderful.

The front porch gives you the guide to the comprehensive thought that's gone into this house. The natural patina of the timber cladding contrasts perfectly with the smart, modern composite door. Once inside the depth of thought is evident everywhere. A fitted bench seat to the right is perfect for heaving off those muddy boots before heading into the house, and the top lifts to reveal storage beneath. Heading away from you, the hall features a dramatically tall, vaulted ceiling with a roof light window above that floods the hall with light, and the opening at the far end provides a hint of yet more natural light further beyond.

Look right, and a sliding door on industrial runners above opens into the first of several receptions. The wood burner hangs floating on the right hand gable wall. Bespoke timber desks are fitted, separated by neat and discreet drawers beneath, either side of the front window. At the opposite end, a timber top handy for the TV and ornaments runs along two walls, hiding bookshelves beneath. And with so much glazing the natural light is fantastic. As the first experience of a room in this house, it sets the bar very high!

Opposite across the hall, glazed Crittal style doors open into a room that can be bedroom, annex, study - as you wish. The shower room attached is deliciously stylish with its slate floor and reclaimed chest acting as the sink vanity. The room it serves is so clever. Despite having a window to the side, the glazed doors provide such huge light from the hallway it doesn't really need one. And yet there is also a light well above the far end, which also deftly pours natural light across the fitted shelves and their cupboards beneath.

Keep going to the rear, and you come out at the base of the staircase. This climbs up through another vaulted space to a minstrel's gallery above! And at the top two double bedrooms sit easily in the eaves either side of a broad landing that's so generous it currently hosts a large chest but could easily accommodate a sofa - the perfect spot for a book, lit from above by a roof light. And, cleverly, the toilet is also housed in the laundry room complete with space for washing machine etc (this was clearly designed by someone who appreciates the washing created by a family)!

Back downstairs, a door to the right takes you into a very appealing family bathroom. The pair of modern, composite sinks top a more modern timber vanity, complete with drawers beneath. Yet more intelligent style combines a classic Victorian tile pattern to floor and bath side with ultra modern black fittings including the towel rail. It's a fine and sumptuous facility by most any measure. At the far end, the primary suite sits perfectly away from the rest of the accommodation. Stepping inside, a lovely room with plantation shutter front window feels cosseting and relaxed. The ensuite is fitted with the same vanity as the main bathroom, but this time but a huge walk-in shower at the far end. And to the rear of the bedroom, the walk-in wardrobe with its mix of cabinets, shoe racks etc is a welcome surprise.

Heading back to the hallway, further down the hall, another bedroom/reception continues the intelligent design. To the rear, what was originally a window in the outside wall now opens into the extended part. Hence our sellers have provided a shutter, allowing this room to be perfectly private when required, and perfectly light when not! And as elsewhere the industrial hangers of the sliding door add something unique and interesting to the overall effect.

Reaching the end of the hall, a couple of steps head down. A vast light well above brings in light, enhanced by a glazed door at the rear, accessing the garden. At this point a wide bank of discreet cupboards flank the hallway, a very clever and practical touch. Thereafter another pair of steps head up into the signature of this fantastic house.

Our clients wanted, above all, to provide a room that offered everything a family could ever need. Hence the room you now see mixes kitchen, dining and entertaining in one vast space. A large island with its own breakfast bar and timber store cupboards beneath sits adjacent to a run of kitchen units. An ultra-modern stainless range, pristine white surfaces, and plenty of store cabinets - although notably there are no high-level cupboards, a clever way to maximise the feeling of light and space - provide the perfect family kitched set up.

In addition, to the left side, the utility room and pantry is a fabulous lesson in design and execution. The more traditional style features classic units topped off with a timber surface, in setting into which is a modern sink, above which is a Victorian style brass tap! The room is panelled around two sides, with shelves running along the high side offering storage for all those jars and glasses and nik-naks.

Kitchen becomes large and spacious dining area. This then suddenly morphs into a seating area. But, again, it's those little details. The units flanking the kitchen and dining area give way to a more subtle, lower level timber top with shelving/storage beneath and wall-mounted TV fitting above. Every inch of this fine room has a purpose that's obvious - but the fact it does so with such panache makes all the difference - and it gets more impressive on each successive look.

Turning to the outside, the house is really quite unassuming on the first glance. Wide but low set at the front, it sits well back in a corner plot, with plenty of gravel parking off street, behind a low post and rail fence. Accesses to both sides lead to the rear garden. Not far off square, it is a significant space, offering masses of excuses to enjoy the outside at any time. Just behind the house to the right, a broad gravel area can easily accommodate the largest of tables for summer dining.

Timber planters run behind the high hedge on the right, followed by a large log store, And then a planted bed stocked with all manner of flowers and shrubs. Further areas offer raised, timber edged planters, a broad lawn, a shed, various trees and more shrubs, and even a greenhouse. But perhaps our favourite touch is a perfect, timber edged, sandy Pétanque pitch! Definitely a first in our experience but what a fab idea! The whole garden is immensely private, securely bounded by smart fencing and hedges. For a family with children and animals, it could not be much more perfect.

It is rare for us to say this. But in equal measure as a design statement and as a home, this house pleases on so many levels. We highly recommend it.