Prospective homebuyers will fall under a spell when they step inside Backhouse’s new show home at Merlin Rise in Calne, a welcoming Wiltshire market town, 20 miles from Bath.
Merlin Rise reflects Backhouse’s intrinsic style and attitude to creating flowing light homes that bring homeowners the best of modern luxury living at affordable prices and comprises 21 contemporary three-, four- and five bedroom houses. Prices currently start from £385,000 for a three-bedroom home.
Buyers walking into the show home will be struck by the excellent craftsmanship, choice of quality materials and meticulous attention to detail that extends throughout the 1,700 sq ft of space. Striking features of the Backhouse-designed home include the generous use of glazing with floor-to-ceiling windows to introduce maximum natural light and wider corridors and lofty high ceiling heights to create space and drama, which are the perfect backdrop to show off artwork and introduce statement lighting.
Backhouse’s interior designer, Suzanne Thomas, creative design director from Blocc, explained: “I think research shows buyers make their minds up about a new home within seven seconds! Our intention was to connect the outside classic contemporary design elements with subtle, aspirational styling inside. We made sure that statement lighting in the entrance hall – a modern take on an armed chandelier in black and gold metal featuring planet-like spheres, emphasised the generous ceiling heights. We positioned a bespoke statue of Icarus which is reflected in the hallway mirror, for a dramatic effect.
“Everything has been considered and crafted to create an indulgent yet comfortable home with a soothing stylish neutral colour scheme of greys, ivory and accents of teal, mustard and subtle gold throughout.”
Kitchen/dining area
The large open-plan kitchen dining area has been given a sleek contemporary design, but Backhouse has allowed buyers to choose some of the fittings to suit their personal take on style.
The choice for buyers includes a wide selection of kitchen door and handle styles, from the more traditional shaker style door in muted tones to contemporary styles including flush integrated handle doors or handle-free in both gloss and matt finishes; and all doors are soft close.
All homes can be fitted with Silestone composite stone worktops, which are included as standard in the larger homes. All homes are fitted with sinks by Saneux. Appliances from Bosch are integrated and come as standard and really showcase the high standard of the kitchen design.
Buyers will be spoiled for choice when it comes to flooring options from Karndean flooring or Porcelanosa tiles and wood-effect porcelain planks.
Entrance hall
Designed as a welcoming, generous space that sets the tone for the airy layout that allows space to circulate and flow throughout each property. High lofty ceilings add to the voluminous feel as you enter.
The ‘Hub’
Backhouse intentionally uses a clever and consistent floor plate that it applies to all the properties at Merlin Rise. From the entrance hall is a dedicated practical and functional zone that has a designated ‘hub’ with practical storage solutions and functional elements, such as the stairs, large cloakroom and then leads on to the ample utility room. This layout means that all the remaining area to the right has an interrupted flow.
Living room
The calm light downstairs living area is laid out on the right of each property. The airy proportions of the living room make the whole space bright, clutter free and uplifting. The contemporary family living space flows into the large, light-filled, open-plan kitchen/dining area and bifold doors bring the garden inside.
Upstairs at ‘The Carbury’ show home, a huge corner landing area to the rear of the house has two carefully positioned windows to allow plenty of natural light to illuminate the space. Upstairs doors to all bedrooms are strategically positioned to maintain flow; this continues throughout the downstairs accommodation incorporating wide circulation spaces.
Bedrooms
On the first floor, all four bedrooms are of excellent proportions with large light windows. The floor plate is mirrored upstairs with plenty of walk-in wardrobe and storage space and bathrooms all positioned to the left of the house. The master bedroom has a vast walk-in wardrobe and a separate en suite.
Bathrooms
Stylish bathrooms have chrome heated towel rails; sanitaryware from Vado and shower screens and cubicles from Merlyn.
All tiling (including the kitchen) is from Porcelanosa and of excellent quality. Buyers have a wide range of finish colours to choose from, in both flat colours, stone-effect finishes as well as textured relief tiles.
Home office
The home office or snug is nicely positioned to the rear of the property away from the doors opening out on to it and making it feel comfortably private.
Tim Baldwin, design manager at Backhouse, added: “We believe in designing flexible spaces that can adapt to different homeowner’s needs and passions. So when we created the additional landing area in this show home, we wanted to suggest how versatile the space could be by changing it up with a piano, then a desk and a luxurious corner sofa. Buyers have so many options to create a restful library, snug, work from home office, a music den with a piano, an arts and craft corner, a hobby hangout, or a gallery space for showing off favourite prints, photographs, artwork and collectibles.
“Pre-Covid, the beautifully light landing space had been staged as a cosy snug area to use by all the family. But as lockdown life began, we tuned into the fact that buyers now look for a dedicated home office space after a large kitchen/dining space.
“By dressing the area as a work station/office, we have showcased that this space is perfect for working or studying from home. Light and airy this flexible area has privacy and space without losing one of the bedrooms to convert to an office. It’s worked and customers love it!”
Garden, garage and eco outdoor features
Bifold doors lead out onto the private landscaped garden which seamlessly connects the inside with the outside. The garden has been beautifully designed to feel like a calm oasis and is secure and easy to maintain.
Attention to detail continues outside with larger than average garages, roomy enough for almost any size family car. When it comes to sustainability and eco initiatives, Backhouse is committed – adding solar panels to the roof of every home and also installing zinc roofs to give added quality and peace of mind for customers.
Neil and Sarah at Merlin Rise
Serious demand means strong sales
Sarah Williams, sales and marketing director at Backhouse, said: “Merlin Rise has already sold over 50% off plan. It has really grabbed the attention of a range of aspiring buyers with amazing feedback. We are very excited to show case this development in a wonderful part of the country and are receiving a high level of interest from serious buyers eager for to view our show home.”
Prices at Merlin Rise start at £400,000 for a three-bedroom home, rising to £579,995 for a five-bedroom home. Find out more at www.backhousehousing.com.
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