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.
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“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.