Vence Close, Stamford

A beautifully rebuilt contemporary home with nearly 3,000 sq ft of accommodation, an exceptional designer specification, four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a separate self contained annexe, all in one of England's most desirable market towns. To arrange a viewing, simply visit our website and click 'Book Viewing' to choose an appointment from our live diary.

What the owner told us…

“Creating this home has been such a big part of our lives. We've poured our hearts and souls into every detail, and although life is taking us in a different direction, we're incredibly proud of what we've created. It's a beautiful home in a fantastic location, and we really hope the next owners love living here as much as we have.”

Our Thoughts…

Every so often, we visit a home where it's immediately obvious just how much thought, time and investment has gone into creating it. And 1 Vence Close is certainly one of those.

What the owners have achieved here is quite extraordinary. They've taken the original property and undertaken an extensive rebuilding project, creating a substantial contemporary home that feels completely different from anything you might expect to find behind its front door. The result is nearly 3,000 sq ft of beautifully considered accommodation, including a separate annexe, with a specification that wouldn't look out of place in a luxury design magazine.

And when we say the specification is impressive, we really do mean it. The owners' detailed product schedule lists more than £140,000 worth of premium products and finishes alone, before installation costs. That gives you some idea of the level of investment here, but what makes it particularly special is how those choices come together to create a home that is both beautiful to look at and genuinely lovely to live in.

You start getting a feel for it before you've even stepped inside, with a substantial Fortis Aluminium UK entrance door featuring an AC20 Uni Lock smart locking system. Fingerprint recognition, keypad entry, app control and RFID access are all incorporated, which is rather more sophisticated than the usual front door key.

Once inside, the sense of space is immediately apparent. Large format Marazzi porcelain tiles create a beautifully seamless finish underfoot, while the bespoke staircase by S+L Engineering makes a real architectural statement. With its oak treads and glass balustrade, it's one of those features that draws your eye without overwhelming the space. Above it hangs a striking Moooi Luminora 63 pendant, bringing another layer of contemporary design into the entrance hall.

But for us, the heart of this home has to be the kitchen, living and dining space.

At approximately 23 feet square, it's an incredible room, with more than enough space for everyday family life, entertaining friends and those occasions when everyone seems to gather in the kitchen regardless of how much room there is elsewhere.

And what a kitchen it is.

The cabinetry is by Cesar, the Italian designer kitchen manufacturer renowned for its contemporary designs, craftsmanship and attention to detail. It's a beautifully understated space, where the clean lines, proportions and finishes do much of the talking. A statement Novy pendant above the island adds another designer touch, while the extensive work surfaces and generous island make this somewhere you'll actually enjoy spending time, whether you're cooking for a houseful or simply having coffee before the day begins.

The appliances are equally impressive. BORA is a premium German brand that has built its reputation around innovative kitchen technology, and the owners have incorporated an exceptional selection here. There's a BORA X BO steam oven, BORA multi-drawer, M Pure induction hob and even a BORA QVac vacuum sealing system.

For anyone who loves cooking, these are the sorts of appliances that make a kitchen genuinely exciting. The X BO combines steam cooking with advanced oven technology, while the QVac allows food to be vacuum sealed for storage, preparation and marinating. They're clever, beautifully designed additions that go far beyond what you'd ordinarily expect to find in a family kitchen.

There's also a Siemens full height fridge, separate full height freezer and dishwasher, a Harvey water softener and a Quooker boiling water tap with the CUBE system, providing filtered and sparkling water as well. It's one of those kitchens where seemingly every little convenience has been thought of.

And yet, despite all that technology, the room doesn't feel clinical. Quite the opposite. There's a lovely sense of openness, with the kitchen flowing naturally into the dining and living areas, creating a space where you can imagine family and friends spending hours together.

We particularly love that this isn't a home where you have to choose between a wonderful open plan living space and somewhere quieter to escape to. There's also a separate snug, giving you a completely different atmosphere when you want to settle down with a film, curl up with a book or simply close the door on the rest of the house for a while.

The Planika FLA3+ inset bioethanol fire is another rather special addition to the living accommodation. With its glass screens and sleek integrated design, it brings the atmosphere of a real flame into a contemporary setting without the need for a traditional fireplace.

The ground floor also offers something that we think will appeal to a huge range of buyers: a generous double bedroom with its own beautifully appointed en suite.

Whether you have guests staying regularly, an older family member who would prefer not to use the stairs or simply want the flexibility of a ground floor bedroom, it's a brilliant feature to have. And there's certainly no compromise on the bathroom specification, with an Arrital vanity unit, VitrA smart toilet, Acquabella shower tray, Sommer shower screen, Coalbrook brassware, Marazzi tiling and Warmup underfloor heating.

A separate cloakroom and utility room complete the ground floor accommodation, keeping the practical side of everyday life nicely tucked away.

Upstairs, the principal bedroom suite is somewhere we think the next owners are going to absolutely love.

It's much more than somewhere to sleep. There's a wonderful sense of having your own private space, with a dedicated walk in wardrobe, a beautifully appointed en suite and access to a balcony with its bespoke frameless glass balustrade.

Imagine opening the doors on a warm morning, stepping outside with your first coffee of the day and enjoying a few quiet minutes before everything gets going. It's a lovely addition and one that gives the principal suite a real sense of occasion.

Inside the bedroom, the Moooi Flock of Light 21 pendant is another wonderful design feature. Inspired by the appearance of fireflies, this sculptural light fitting is a piece of contemporary art in its own right, adding something really special to the room.

And then there's the bathroom.

If you've ever dreamt of having a bathroom that feels more like a luxury hotel suite, this is going to be rather appealing. There's a beautiful freestanding bath by Victoria + Albert, a luxury British bathroom brand known for its sculptural designs, alongside an Arrital vanity unit, a VitrA smart Japanese style toilet, an Acquabella shower tray, Showerlab screen and Coalbrook brassware.

The large format Marazzi tiles give everything a wonderfully cohesive finish, while Warmup underfloor heating adds that extra bit of comfort. It's a room where you could quite happily spend far longer than you intended.

The remaining two first floor bedrooms are both beautifully proportioned and, rather impressively, each has its own en suite too. Again, the owners have continued the same attention to detail, with Arrital vanity units, Acquabella shower trays, Sommer screens, Coalbrook brassware, Marazzi tiles and underfloor heating.

It's something we particularly like about this house. The principal bedroom may have the extra luxuries, but the other bedrooms haven't been treated as an afterthought. Everyone gets a lovely bedroom and their own bathroom, which makes family life and having guests to stay so much easier.

Throughout the property, the lighting has been carefully considered, with Flos Easy Kap recessed downlights providing a clean architectural finish. Flos is another internationally recognised Italian design brand, and these details really do contribute to the overall feel of the home. The windows, sliding doors and side door have been supplied by Orchard Windows, helping to bring plenty of natural light into the accommodation.

And while there's a huge amount to admire in the interiors, there's plenty to appreciate behind the scenes too. The property benefits from an air source heat pump and solar panels, with an EPC rating of B (91). It's encouraging to see modern energy technology incorporated into a home of this size, alongside all the design and lifestyle features.

Now, there's another part of this property that we think deserves some proper attention, because it opens up all sorts of possibilities.

The separate annexe.

Having additional accommodation is one thing, but having somewhere that offers a genuinely independent living arrangement is quite another. Here, the annexe has its own kitchen, living room, bedroom and WC, together with useful upper level storage.

For a family with an older relative who wants to be nearby but still have their own space, it could be ideal. Equally, it could work beautifully for visiting family, grown up children looking for a little more independence or someone who works from home and would love a dedicated space away from the main house.

And that's the beauty of having it. You don't necessarily need it for one particular purpose today, but it's wonderful to know the flexibility is there as life changes.

Outside, there's a generous driveway with parking for several vehicles, which is always welcome, particularly when you've got a busy household or guests visiting.

The rear garden faces south, and while the landscaping is still to be completed, we actually think this presents a lovely opportunity for the next owners. The house itself has had such an extraordinary amount of thought and investment put into it, and the garden is the chance to create an outside space that feels just as special.

Whether that's a beautiful contemporary terrace for summer entertaining, lush planting to soften the architecture, a lovely lawn or somewhere to sit and enjoy the sunshine, there's real potential to make it your own. The virtually staged garden imagery gives a taste of what could be achieved, but the final design will be entirely up to you.

What we love most about 1 Vence Close is that it doesn't feel like a property where the owners have simply chosen expensive finishes for the sake of it. There's a consistency to the design, from the kitchen and bathrooms to the lighting, technology and architectural details. Everything feels as though it's been considered as part of a bigger picture.

And when you combine that with the amount of accommodation, the separate annexe, the energy efficient technology and the fact that you're living in Stamford, it's a pretty compelling proposition.

For anyone looking for a substantial contemporary home where the really significant investment has already been made, but where there's still an opportunity to put your own stamp on the outside space, we think this is one you'll be very glad you came to see.

Location…

One of the lovely things about 1 Vence Close is that you get all the benefits of living in Stamford, a town that people travel considerable distances to visit, while having a spacious contemporary home to come back to.

And if you're not already familiar with Stamford, you're in for a treat.

There's a reason this beautiful Lincolnshire market town has attracted so much attention over the years. With its honey coloured limestone buildings, historic streets, independent shops and thriving food scene, it's one of those places that manages to feel special without feeling like a tourist attraction.

In fact, Stamford was designated England's first conservation area back in 1967, and its extraordinary collection of historic buildings is part of what gives the town so much character. But it's not simply somewhere pretty to wander around on a Sunday afternoon. It's a genuinely wonderful place to live, with everything you need for everyday life alongside all those lovely extras that make weekends something to look forward to.

The town centre is full of independent boutiques, specialist shops, cafés, bakeries and restaurants, alongside familiar high street names. There's something rather lovely about being able to pop into town for a coffee, pick up a few things from the shops and somehow find yourself staying out for lunch because you've bumped into someone you know.

Friday is market day, when the town centre comes alive with stalls selling everything from fresh produce and flowers to clothing and gifts. There's also a regular farmers' market, and throughout the year Stamford hosts a variety of events, performances and festivals.

If you enjoy eating out, you'll be spoilt for choice. From cosy pubs and relaxed cafés to lovely restaurants and traditional coaching inns, there's a fantastic selection of places to meet friends or enjoy an evening out. The historic George Hotel is one of Stamford's best known landmarks, and the town's food and drink scene is one of the things that makes living here such a pleasure.

For those who love the outdoors, Stamford has plenty to offer too.

The Meadows, beside the River Welland, are a beautiful place for a walk, a picnic or simply enjoying a little fresh air. And then, of course, there's Burghley House.

This magnificent Elizabethan estate sits on the edge of town, surrounded by beautiful parkland and gardens. It's one of the area's most treasured landmarks, but for people who live in Stamford, it's also somewhere to enjoy a walk, meet friends or spend a weekend afternoon. The estate hosts a wonderful programme of events throughout the year, including the internationally renowned Burghley Horse Trials.

A little further afield, Rutland Water offers another fantastic escape. Whether you enjoy walking, cycling, sailing, birdwatching or simply finding somewhere lovely for lunch with a view, it's one of those places you'll find yourself visiting again and again.

Stamford also has a lively cultural scene. The Stamford Arts Centre hosts theatre, cinema, music and exhibitions, while the Corn Exchange brings comedy, live performances and entertainment into the heart of town. And in the summer, the Stamford Shakespeare Company stages its open air performances at nearby Tolethorpe Hall, which is a rather wonderful way to spend an evening.

For families, education is another important part of Stamford's appeal. The town offers a choice of primary and secondary schooling, including Stamford's independent schools, and there are various sports clubs, leisure facilities and activities for children and adults alike.

And while Stamford has that lovely market town atmosphere, it's also remarkably well connected.

The A1 is close by, making travel north and south straightforward, while Stamford railway station provides services towards Peterborough, Leicester, Cambridge and Birmingham. From Peterborough, there are fast mainline connections to London King's Cross, which makes the area attractive to people who need to travel for work but would much rather come home to somewhere with a little more character and breathing space.

For us, that's what makes Stamford such a brilliant place to live. You have the architecture, the independent shops, the restaurants, the countryside and a real sense of community, but without feeling cut off from the rest of the world.

And at 1 Vence Close, you get to enjoy all of that from a home that offers something rather different from the traditional Stamford stone townhouse.

It's contemporary, spacious, beautifully specified and designed for the way people want to live today.

We really do think it's a home that deserves to be experienced in person, because photographs and a list of impressive brands can only tell you so much. It's when you walk through the door, appreciate the space and start noticing all those thoughtful details that you really understand what the owners have created.

If you can see yourself living here, we'd love to show you around. Simply visit our website, click 'Book Viewing' and choose an appointment that suits you.