It’s understandable to appreciate the attraction of Hale; sitting within easy reach of Manchester city centre and even closer to the lovely Cheshire countryside, for years it has attracted those wanting that perfect balance of semi-rural living and city style.
The village centre is still very much at the heart of the community with plenty of bars, restaurants and independent retailers and just a short stroll away, the highly desirable leafy residential streets with their attractive mix of terraces, semi-detached and stand-alone Victorian villas, many built from the vernacular red brick.
Our client’s home is one such property. However, at the time of Majik House being approached for this commission, the building was two semi-detached structures which were about to undergo a significant renovation which would see them ‘knocked through’ to become one single family home.
Majik House Sales Director Jit Mistry: “Our client and their family already owned and were living in one of the properties. When next door, a five bedroom semi, was put on the market in 2021 they could see the opportunity to create something of a statement home.”
Property developer Oliver James Construction had been appointed as the lead contractor for the project with interior design (including lighting design) by Gail Marsden, with Majik House introduced to install the smart lighting, AV, network and system control throughout the new property.
“Although this was a major renovation and modernisation project, the vision was that the property would retain many of the period features of the Victorian villa and that the lighting design would enhance the interior design, with the AV being introduced sympathetically in rooms such as the first floor living room.”
“The client wanted smart lighting for throughout the house and Control4 was always going to be our first choice given the ease of use for everyone in the home and the sheer scope of controllability in terms of transitions and scenes.”
The lighting was installed in-line with Gail Marsden’s designs and also in conjunction with Cheshire’s Opus Electrical Solutions, with whom Majik House recently worked with on an award-winning super home project in Lytham, Lancashire.
“We’ve built a really good working relationship with the guys at Opus, and they have become a trusted partner for us; we won’t hesitate in saying that they’ve become our first choice for projects like this.”
Nobody would undertake such a significant renovation project without a few indulgences and this property doesn’t disappoint; the new home features a dedicated cinema room with space for a pool table, a basement gym, golf simulator with bar, and a feature wall temperature controlled wine store.
“I am personally really pleased with the basement cinema – size, layout, specification; it all just feels right, and the experience is faultless.” Says Jit.
“The sound is 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos delivered from Monitor Audio Custom Install speakers positioned behind screen the acoustic transparent screen, plus ones plastered into the walls and ceiling. There’s also DMX colour changing lighting and an Epson 4K-HD projector fed by advanced distribution and everything operated by Control4 Neeo remotes and keypads.”
Another notable element of the lighting design is the automated blinds that feature in many rooms; these are all by Silent Gliss and, again, easily operated though the Control4 system.
The incorporation of Silent Gliss automated blinds in the rear single story extension with open-plan garden room is an area which utilises these great blinds to their best, with full height sliding glass windows effortlessly hidden or revealed at the touch of a button.
Juxtaposed to the more traditional property frontage and other reception rooms with their heritage feel, the garden room with lounge, dining area and kitchen is far more contemporary; altogether more precise, with crisp lines and plenty smooth, flat surfaces to the floor, walls, ceilings and the cavernous reveals for skylights. This is very much a space where natural light is most welcome and almost encouraged.
“For a house of this size the outdoor space is very modest, but this garden room extension and the full height windows really open-up the space and allow the natural light to flood in. In the warmer days of spring and summer, this will be a lovely place to relax and entertain; and even in winter, it’s somewhere that will still make the most of whatever daylight there is.”
The living area features a 85” SONY Bravia XR Full Array TV, with dynamic sound once again courtesy of Monitor Audio Custom Install speakers. The lighting is a combination of LED downlights alongside feature fittings from Collingwood, again all operated by Control4 Neeo remotes and wall-mounted touchscreens in the kitchen.
The exterior lighting in the Indian sandstone-paved entertaining area here at the rear of the house is also all controlled by Control4, making it super simple to create the right scene throughout this entire space.
Adjacent to the kitchen is a separate lounge, this time a more reserved affair. The lines are still clean and the full-height sliding windows remain, but this time the room is softened by natural stone feature wall with a wood-burning stove and just a glimpse of that red brick from the exterior.
This ‘snug’ includes more LED ceiling downlights, a more modest-sized TV and Monitor Audio ceiling speakers, again all operated by Control4 and the impressive Neeo remote.
A few of those indulgences we mentioned can be found on the lower ground floor, starting with a golf driving range simulator and a most handsome bar; not bad when you can comfortably swing your clubs and perfect your stroke play, whatever the weather, and find the 19th hole just a few feet away!
The golf simulator utilises a Panasonic 4KHD projector and more Monitor Audio Custom Install ceiling speakers delivering a brilliant AV experience as you’re tee-ing off and – as you’ve probably guessed – everything is managed by Control4.
The basement gym is no afterthought either, with the quality of fitness equipment you’d expect in any serious fitness studio. There’s another SONY Bravia XR to watch whilst you’re pounding the treadmill accompanied by more of those discreet yet high-performing Monitor Audio Custom Install ceiling speakers.
And should you have worked-up a thirst during your routine (go on, you’ve earned it!), then look no further than through the window into the stairwell where a temperature controlled wine store is the feature wall, with a most impressive collection illuminated by up- and downlight LEDs.
“The wine store is a really clever addition, making use of what could have been something of a redundant space; a little creative thinking has resulted in a real asset and, again, adds genuine value to this property.”
“There’s such a lot going on throughout this house, you almost forget what’s been achieved.” Concludes Jit. “The master bedroom also has high-end TV and audio, there’s a mini gaming lounge on the top floor, there’s the high-spec security system and there’s also the super-efficient Heatmiser heating control, again managed via Control4.”
The project took around 18-months from initial consultation through to completion which, considering the major re-configuring of the house during the renovation, feels like very good progress indeed.
“It was one of those projects where everyone knew their responsibilities and there was a genuinely collaborative approach from the teams from Oliver James, Gail Marsden Design, Majik House and Opus Electrical. We’re delighted with the outcome and, more importantly, the client feels the same way.”
Like Hale itself, the owners of this property have the best of both worlds; a traditional-looking red brick house which is perfectly at home in this leafy avenue yet one which incorporates contemporary architecture and interior design, and the latest smart home and integrated control systems.
The result is a handsome home which, on every level, far exceeds the sum of its two former parts.
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You can see more images of this project on the Gail Marsden Design website: https://www.gailmarsdendesign.co.uk/victorian-villa
