The Church, Blackmore End, Essex by Fine & Country

Fine & Country Chelmsford Tel: +44 (0) 1245 257001 chelmsford@fineandcountry.com 5 The Matchyns, London Road, Rivenhall, Essex CM8 3HA

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Blackmore End Essex

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FINE & COUNTRY THE WOW FACTOR! “We wanted to avoid mezzanines that cut into the windows, but to create a really free flowing space with clearly designated living areas. A home that was not too ‘churchy’, but giving homage to the original design, most notably retaining the full height in the living area, as well as the intricate brickwork, beautiful archway, stained glass window, and the round window on the second floor.”

Fine & Country is a global network of estate agencies specialising in the marketing, sale and rental of luxury residential property. With offices in the UK, Ireland, The Channel Islands, France, Spain, Hungary, Portugal, Russia, Dubai, Egypt, South Africa, West Africa and Namibia we combine the widespread exposure of the international marketplace with the local expertise and knowledge of carefully selected independent property professionals. Fine & Country appreciates the most exclusive properties require a more compelling, sophisticated and intelligent presentation - leading to a common, yet uniquely exercised and successful strategy emphasising the lifestyle qualities of the property.

This unique approach to luxury homes marketing delivers high quality, intelligent and creative concepts for property promotion combined with the latest technology and marketing techniques. We understand moving home is one of the most important decisions you make; your home is both a financial and emotional investment. With Fine & Country you benefit from the local knowledge, experience, expertise and contacts of a well trained, educated and courteous team of professionals, working to make the sale or purchase of your property as stress free as possible.

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This converted Victorian Church in the village of Blackmore End is breath-taking in its beauty. Originally commissioned by the Courtauld family as a place of worship, it was converted in 2014 into a stunning home by its owners, with a living space that is both impressive and cosy at the same time. The ground floor offers a fantastic space in which to spend your days, through the grand solid oak double front doors you are greeted with a double height entrance with a solid oak staircase, the treads of the staircase made from the original pews that were purchased along with the building and the vicars lectern forming the base of the newel post at the bottom of the banister. The rest of the ground floor is clearly defined into split areas ideal for relaxation, study and entertaining along with a guest bedroom with en-suite. The first floor consists of a further three double bedrooms and a modern family bathroom, along with a separate utility room. Leading from the first floor is another staircase taking you to the next floor. A separate living space and master bedroom with a stunning en-suite complete the second floor. The garden wraps around three sides, with sunken south facing patio, a lime tree avenue and plenty of parking for visitors.

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A Fine Design The church stands in charming gardens enjoying a favourable location in the highly regarded and sought after North Essex village of Blackmore End, which has a great gastro pub and sits at the heart of some of Essex’s loveliest countryside. With easy access to an international airport and major road links yet surrounded by beautiful Essex / Suffolk villages and the historical market town of Sudbury not far away, “this is a beautiful part of the world” says the owner with stunning countryside all around. Built in 1865, the church itself is a really fine example of the workmanship of that era and was the vision of the Courtauld family, themselves designers of fabric on a grand scale. With beautiful red brickwork throughout, with defining black lines which lead you around the property revealing the striking and stunning features of the original building.

Grand Scale Conversion And so work began. Emptied of all the furniture some of which later was to serve a purpose, the owners realised the true beauty of the space and at that point the design work really began. “We wanted to avoid mezzanines that cut into the windows and create a really free flowing space with clearly designated living areas. A home that was not too ‘churchy’ but giving homage to the original design, most notably retaining the full height in the living area, as well as the intricate brickwork, beautiful archway, stained glass window, and the round window on the second floor”. The results are magnificent and as soon as you step into the space, whilst being aware of its origins, you are welcomed

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into a cosy and inviting space; one that isn’t intimidating at all, rather intimate and familial. The effort that has gone into every detail is evident from the moment that you step over the threshold. “The hardest part was the forming of the downstairs windows and double doors leading onto the patio, cutting access through twenty-four inch brick walls and reforming to match the original windows was a hard task but we’re delighted with the outcome”. From the grand entrance with natural stone flooring you are led following the black lines that guide you through the building into the kitchen area, this space marked out with large scale tiling squares underfoot. The units are a warm mocha, with bespoke, handcrafted natural stone worktops. A central island doubles up nicely as a breakfast bar. Fitted with such things as a hot tap, integrated coffee machine, wine fridge as well as two ovens and induction hob and warmer draw - all Siemens - this is a lovely space to work in. “Rather than go down the traditional, country style kitchen route, we wanted something contemporary, a space to entertain in, connected with the whole, and we really love the result”.

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An Uplifting Space Both the dining area and the sitting room have warm oak floorboards underfoot, this whole space further warmed by the exposed brick walls, with their defining black lines drawing your eye along “We have kept the brick work exposed throughout the entire living space as a unifying factor and thus at no point are you in any doubt that these rooms all form part of what once was the church.” Newly created arched French doors lead out from this space to the sunken patio, secluded by clever planting this is the perfect space to unwind and soak up the summer rays. Three steps lead you up to the lounge, a truly wonderful space, testament to the original design but equally the skill in the conversion. Your eyes are inevitably drawn upwards pausing to take in two glorious light fittings in the form of halos, another detail that took a great deal of thought, “The halo lights allow the space to flow, your eye to wander without interruption up to the rafters 10 metres above.” The archway that links this space with the rest of the living area will never cease to impress, and the stained glass window also vies for your attention - original to the building but updated by the Courtauld family in 1911, and a multi-fuel burner promises cosy evenings once the nights draw in. The 65” multimedia TV screen is ideal for rainy days, and with integrated stereo, WIFI and Ethernet wired in, cleverly secluded lighting throughout the building which highlights all the striking architectural features, all controlled by smart applications, you have a world of entertainment at your fingertips.

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Eternal Bliss The study area is to the left and with original ornamental fireplace, is a tranquil space to withdraw to. Under-floor heating runs throughout the entire building and is fuelled by state of the art Eco air-source heat pump. On the first floor you have plenty of space for a family to bed down, with family bathroom and three further bedrooms, all with one unifying and utterly charming feature. “Each room on this floor has an arched window in which you can stand”, as well as a laundry room, with space for a washing machine, tumble dryer and an airing cupboard. The gallery on this floor is mirrored above on the second floor, all of which has been designed by the owners as an adult space with separate sitting room, so if you fancy total peace and quiet, this is the ultimate retreat which leads to the uncluttered light and airy master bedroom and into the pièce de résistance being the stunning ensuite with free-standing bath placed strategically alongside the circular window, “ Taking a bath and looking out over the fields is just wonderful - you really do feel on top of the world in every sense!” The garden stretches out on three sides of the property and is laid out in a cleaver fashion providing a high degree of privacy, with a sunny south facing sunken patio, a summer house at the bottom of the garden offering you a choice of whiling away the hours and coming home will never fail to lift your spirits, even on the darkest night; an avenue of lime trees lit from below guiding you to the front door, and when you close the electric gates behind you, you can rest assured that you are back in your own slice of heaven.

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Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in metric with imperial equivalents and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. * These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.

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Fine & Country Chelmsford Tel: +44 (0) 1245 257001 chelmsford@fineandcountry.com 5 The Matchyns, London Road, Rivenhall, Essex CM8 3HA

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Blackmore End Essex

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