For Nick Riggott, former architectural graphic artist and civil engineer, experienced gained during the course of his career has helped enormously to provide the skills necessary to design his Newark home. However, regarding his motivation, there could be no better reason to create a compelling place to live than to ensure he, his wife Claire, and their four children have a splendid, high specification executive home in which to live.

The property was originally a much smaller cottage — the central part of the house — having extended the property twice, once in 2004 and once in 2007, it’s now double the original size and includes two new gables as well as five bedrooms, two en-suites and four reception rooms plus a generously proportioned inner hallway.

In addition the house boasts beautiful materials, high quality fittings and the assurance of new plumbing, wiring and a completely new roof, which means the property’s next owners will benefit from a sympathetically modernised property with modern features but in an idyllic setting and with all of its traditional charm and character remaining intact.

Nick and Claire had been in the property for over a year before they decided to complete any work on it. Having seen the property in 2001 Nick says he fell in love with it, and committed to it upon their very first inspection.

Rather sensibly, the family decided to live in the property for a year to get a feel for how the property works. In 2004, Nick sketched plans for the property himself, and with an architect ratifying his plans, set about the first of two phases of renovation.

“2004 was really just about extending the property.” says Nick. “In 2007 we remodelled the interior and extended the property further to create the new kitchen.”

Many of the fittings in the home are bespoke, and a combination of high quality materials have ensured a sense of quality is present throughout every aspect of the house.

The kitchen is especially well-equipped, with a custom kitchen installed by Chesterfield’s New Interiors. With antique-front cabinets, black granite surfaces and a black aga, it’s certainly stylish, but also boasts twin sinks — a butler sink and an additional round inset sink with waste disposal system in the centre.

The kitchen also includes a separate gas oven, built-in coffee machine, wine chiller, two dishwashers, and American-style fridge freezer.

A breakfast bar in the kitchen offers a convenient way for the whole family to dine together, whilst all appliances are made of quality names such as Bosch and Neff.

“We entertain a lot, so having a practical, large and well-equipped kitchen makes life a lot easier.” says Nick. “There’s a family room just off the kitchen, a formal dining room, and just outside, a breakfast room on the patio which is a lovely place to sit and enjoy breakfast in the summer.”

Elsewhere, the theme of the property is continued with bespoke fireplaces — also designed by Nick — from a quarry in Darlington and engineered timber floorboards with underfloor heating throughout.

Modern features are, again, offset with a stylish take on traditionalism, with the couple’s bespoke Georgian-style sofas, designed by Kingsley & Co, in a Georgian mustard shade, gracefully occupying the room and blending well with Claire’s 19th century grand piano.

The property also features a large hallway with centrally situated staircase, surrounded by more of the family’s antiques, many of which reflect Nick’s love of country sports and suit the country property admirably.

Upstairs, the property boasts a beautifully appointed en-suite to the master with Travertine tiling, period bathroom suite and four further bedrooms.

The property’s practicality is enhanced further with separate annexe which comprises a bedroom, reception room, kitchen and bathroom, over a triple garage for Nick’s collection of cars.

Outside the property are two stables and a collection of outbuildings, and a total of an acre of grounds set to turf and surrounded by mature woodland. The family also keeps chickens and maintain a raised vegetable plot.

“It’s a fantastic property.” says Nick.

“And it’s light too, which also appealed. Being an east facing property, the master bedroom and kitchen enjoy plenty of light in the morning then it moves around to the reception rooms in the evening.”

With four children from two to 13 years, the family is seeking a larger home, but is hoping to remain in the area.

“It’s a great village.” says Nick. “Traditional and unspoilt. We’ve seen a place we love, but we’ll certainly miss Moorhouse Grange, it’s been a fantastic family home and we’re really hoping its next custodians love it as much as we do.”

Moorhouse Grange is on the market for £895,000 with estate agent Savills of Lincoln. For more information call 01522 508908 or see www.savills.com. For more houses for sale in Lincolnshire, pick up the latest copy of Lincolnshire Pride Magazine.