House has a lovely mix of old and new

"When I first moved to West Yorkshire, a work colleague with local knowledge recommended I look in East Bierley and drove me through the village.” says the current owner of Cliffe House.

“It appealed to my wish to live in the countryside, but have easy accessibility to the city. I was impressed that such a pretty, peaceful village could exist just four miles from Bradford town centre. There was a ‘for sale’ sign outside the property and the rest, as they say, is history.

“The building just suited my family circumstances and my personal taste. I like buildings with character and immediately fell in love with its mixture of period and contemporary features. If I must choose a favourite room, it would be the kitchen, which is the hub of the house, or the master bedroom.”

A barn which has stood on this site for about 250 years forms part of the building, the main extension of which the owner believes was constructed about 70 years ago. A ground and first floor extension was added 17 years ago and the kitchen extended 13 years ago.

“The last owner in particular did much to alter the topography of the area and the character of the building.”

That was in 2004, and although the house was in good condition, a lot of redecoration and refurbishment has taken place.

The two en-suite bathrooms were refurbished and floor carpets replaced with tiles. All the bedrooms were given wooden window shutters and the boiler was replaced with a powerful floor-standing Bosch combination boiler. Outside, the garage was given an electric up-and-over door.

“Inside, the colour schemes have been changed in the bedrooms with coordinated Laura Ashley blinds, curtains and bed linen and each room has been given a distinct character.

“The living room decor was also changed, using the services of a local decorator who did a great job of harmonising various furniture I have collected over many years in different style houses.

“Everyone loves the kitchen, which for us is the meeting point for our family – or shall I say, families. It is spacious bright airy and calming, and while it has a country feel to it, it has all modern amenities. It was there when we moved in, but we have modified how the space is used.”

This is certainly a substantial home with flexible accommodation that could become five-bedroomed if required, and throughout the house the character features such as ceiling beams have, wherever possible, been retained.

Cliffe House has been a great family home. “My daughter got married from this house and her friend became engaged at one of the summer barbeques she organised,” says the owner.

When the owners moved in, the garden was overgrown with brambles and weeds. “I had the small rockery cleared, covered with membrane and replanted with flowers. The conifer border at the back of the building was also planted from saplings by us. In the summer, we use the garden a lot as there is also a gazebo next to the garage for open-air barbecues.

“The room proportions are good and it might appeal to a family with grown-up children still living at home as they get to live semi-independently, or a family with young children requiring a granny flat/accommodation.

“The best thing about living here has been my lifestyle. Accessible for work, leisure activities within the village – my piano teacher lives five minutes’ walk from me and the golf club is even nearer – and a beautiful spacious house to recharge my batteries in. As I am selling to downsize, I hopefully will still live locally.”