Tees Life Tees Life Issue 5 | Page 28

WORD S: ADAM STEE L P I CTURES: MARTIN WA LK E R Space & style in Stainton stunner Tees Life takes a look around this stunning six-bedroom new-build in pretty Stainton Village, on the outskirts of Middlesbrough... H ome is where the heart is. So it’s perfectly apt that someone who plies their trade as a property developer and guesthouse owner has put their heart and soul into making a gem of a Teesside house which oozes luxury and comfort. Karen Hallam has a genial nature and keen eye for detail befitting her hard-working business background. Along with her partner, she has created a truly remarkable modern family home in Stainton which gives off a feelgood factor as soon as you cross the threshold. Set back from the village centre down a short stone driveway, Holly House features six bedrooms and five bathrooms set over three floors on half-an-acre of land. Each room has been fitted out to the highest standards, creating a joyful ambience which almost seems baked into the building. The many standout and stylish features include an adaptable downstairs master suite, zoned heating and an air circulation system which extracts dust and moisture. There’s a cinema room which currently doubles as Karen’s sewing room. And you can even have your own in-house concert, with in-ceiling wireless speakers in the kitchen, main rooms and upstairs master bedroom. “Sometimes with big houses, you have excess space which you are just sitting in the middle of,” says Karen. 28 “Here you’ve got lots of rooms that you can use for lots of different things. “It’s a family home and you can have an entire floor for yourself or the kids. “Everything we’ve put in is top end. You’ve got to realise, with me having a bed and breakfast, everything has to be immaculate.” Despite the lavish interior, Karen believes the south- facing view of lush-green Stainton quarry is Holly House's main selling point. “I have a business, but I like to bring work home with me and work while looking at the view,” she says. Green-fingered buyers will also relish being in and working on the vast landscaped back garden, while there is a huge terraced area perfect for parties out the back of the kitchen diner, and an extra large adapted double garage for parking. The location also makes it easy to get around the area, whether it be town or country. Karen and her partner are now willing to let the fabulous Marwood Wynd property go to a family who are keen to make the most of it, even though her own relations adore spending time there. “My grandson loves it so much when he stays here that he never wants to go home,” she adds. Take one look around, and you might not want to leave either.