Sensational self-build home near Whitby for sale

When it comes to design Amanda Coates is always looking to the future, which is why her fabulous self-build home in Briggswath, near Whitby, is packed full of mod cons and energy-efficient features.

Most have earned their place by being useful, like the Globovac central vacuuming system, while others raise a smile. Some do both like the fibre optic chandelier and the white gloss dining table from Quatropi, which has a remote-controlled, rotating lazy susan that lights up in a choice of colours.

“I like change. I like to look forward and I like light, bright, contemporary design. I grew up with the things now classed as vintage and, while I appreciate why some people like them, to me it’s looking back,” says Amanda, who is preparing to say goodbye to her much-loved home.

The 3,880 sq ft, four-bedroom property with sensational views is on the market for £745,000 with Blenkin and Co. The reason she and her husband, Tony, are selling is because they have the chance to build another home.

“I love this house but I can’t resist the chance to build again. I should’ve been an architect,” says Amanda, a hairdresser who also helps run the family scaffolding business.

Her eye for detail is legendary and she planned and specified every inch of Grandeview after researching the latest construction techniques and materials. She also sourced everything from the state-of-the-art flooring to the light switches, sockets furniture and soft furnishings.

Her self-build journey began in 2011 when she and Tony acquired the plot. “I had a vision of what I wanted and I sketched it out, making the most of the south-facing position and the views.

“Making the house as energy-efficient and eco-friendly as possible was really important to me. That really is the future and means the house is very economical to run,” she says.

The strikingly modern home is on a hillside and is set over four floors. No expense has been spared on the construction and fit-out. The airtight property has a heavily insulated timber frame that is clad and topped with render. Air source heat pumps were installed outside. They absorb warmth from the air to create heat and hot water and can extract heat when the outside temperature is as low as -15°C.

Solar photo-voltaic tiles on the roof, chosen because they look better than panels, use the sun’s energy to generate electricity. Both systems benefit from an incentive payment from the government.

“If it’s a good summer the PV tiles generate all the electricity you need but whatever the weather is like, the house is still really cheap to run,” says Amanda, who also had a heat recovery and ventilation system fitted. This extracts stale air while bringing in filtered, warmed fresh air.

Tony’s uncle, a builder, constructed the house, which is filled with light thanks to large areas of glazing. A terrace and balconies are connected to the living areas and they all enjoy a glorious outlook with panoramic vista of the North York Moors.

Inside, there are plenty of stand-out features, including a double-height entrance hall with bespoke curved staircase and LED lighting on the stair treads. The large, space-saving pocket doors are both practical and easy on the eye.

The open-plan kitchen/dining room is on the first floor to make the most of the views. “I love this room and not because I like cooking. I like sitting on the balcony and reading,” says Amanda.

The kitchen also contains some of her favourite features, including a hard-wearing German Resopal flooring, a Zip hydro tap, which delivers instant boiling and chilled water, and the Sweepovac, which is hidden in the cabinet plinths and sucks away crumbs. She also has a soft spot for the striking white and orange units from William Ball, which have handleless drawers that bounce open when you touch them.

“I’ve also got two of almost every appliance,” says Amanda. Along with one Miele induction hob and steam oven, there are two combination ovens, two microwave ovens, two fridge freezers and two integrated warming drawers.

The 24 ft sitting room has a Fama sofa from Barker and Stonehouse, one of her favourite interiors stores, along with some fun features, including the huge Miss Flower Power vase from Kartell and the enormous orange wall light from Cameron Peters.

Bifold doors connect this room to the south-facing timber decking and a sunken hot tub outside. The property also has four bedrooms and bathrooms, including a mmain bathroom with a super-sized Roca bath lit from underneath.

The lower ground floor is the entertainment area with a cinema room, games room and a garden room with French doors leading onto a patio.

Outside, there is a driveway, double garage and parking for multiple vehicles. The garden wraps around the property but lies predominantly to the rear, where there is a lawn and a large paved terrace designed for entertaining and al fresco dining.

“I’ll miss this house but I’m already planning the next one and I’m going to push it even further forward with design and technology, though I don’t buy gadgets for gadgets sake they have to be useful,” says Amanda.

Grandeview has a staircase hall, two reception rooms, kitchen breakfast room, dining area, utility room, cinema room, games room with store room, four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a separate w.c., a double garage, terrace and garden. The house is 2.5 miles from Whitby. For details contact Blenkin and Co., tel: 01904 671672, www.blenkinandco.com

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