CASE STUDY A DIFFERENT VIEW


Despite a distinct lack of windows and character in general, Philippa Neilson- Factor and husband Tony took a punt on reinventing an uninspiring Essex bungalow with potential for an amazing outlook


TEXT KAREN WILSON IMAGES ODC DOOR & GLASS / PETER MAY PHOTOGRAPHY H


aving grown up in an old rectory, Philippa Neilson-Factor’s dream home was a barn conversion with huge kitchen, Aga


and open fire. It couldn’t have been further from the characterless 1940s chalet bungalow she ended up buying with husband Tony in November 2014.


“I asked our neighbour, who’d lived there for over 30 years, what the house used to look like because I wanted to give it some character back,” explains Philippa, 53, a freelance PR / marketing consultant and mortgage advisor. “He said it had never had any character! That set the tone to go totally modern.” Philippa had sold her previous home in the


60 www.sbhonline.co.uk


Midlands, and the newlywed couple were renting near Epping while they looked for somewhere to buy together. As Tony, 60, owns an office fit-out, commercial relocation and finance business, the couple both needed space for a home office with easy access to London. They also wanted decent entertaining space and ample guest bedrooms for when Tony’s four grown up children and grandchildren visit. After struggling to find anywhere they both liked within their budget, the couple extended their search east of London. They soon discovered a property in rural Essex for £700,000 that had been extended in the 1960s and again 10 years ago.


ENTRANCE WAY


A new wall has been built to replace the old fencing and a new gravelled driveway laid, which leads to the impressive new glazed entranceway.


april/may 2020


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