New home provides the perfect blank canvas

Artist and interior designer Tina Ashton is enjoying the challenge of working with the biggest blank canvas in her life: a new family home at George Wimpey's stunning Willow Lake development in Buckinghamshire.

Seeking more space after their 22-year-old son Andrew returned home from university - and having never before owned a newly-built home in 26 years of marriage - Tina and husband Paul were advised to look at the sought-after lakeside location by an estate agent friend.

And the picturesque setting immediately struck home with Tina, who has her own artist's studio nearby.

"Willow Lake is a very inspirational place to be, with fantastic views of the beautiful lake and over Aylesbury Vale," says Tina, 47.

"Not only that, from a practical perspective the location was perfect for us - just seven minutes from my studio, Paul's garage business and my youngest son Jack's school, all in Linslade."

With space at a premium following Andrew's graduation and return home, Tina and Paul (51) spent three months scouring the villages of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire looking for a spacious dream home before making the trip to Willow Lake in Newton Leys, where they fell in love with the 'Falcondale' three-storey townhouse.

Laughs Tina: "It suddenly dawned on us that having three adults and a 14-year-old trying to use one bathroom was not going to work, so we went looking for a bigger home.

"I don't know why, but I'd never imagined new homes having much space and light so the ‘Falcondale’ genuinely surprised us.

"We looked at a few older homes after it, but to be honest we had been spoiled and nothing matched it for proportions and space.

"It's a beautiful home in a wonderful location and my only problem now is having time to create the artwork to decorate it!"

Once they'd decided to purchase the ‘Falcondale’, the Ashton’s made good use of George Wimpey's part-exchange offer, where the leading housebuilder bought their old home at market value so the family could move quickly and easily into their dream home.

With the company also paying the stamp duty, the family saved time and money and moved without any hassles.

Adds Tina: "I have to say, the whole moving experience with George Wimpey has been brilliant.

"Everyone we've spoken to - from people on site to those in head office - have been fantastic and helpful. If I'd know buying a new home was so easy I'd have done it years ago - I certainly recommend it."

The contemporary and timeless ‘Falcondale’ features a spacious kitchen/family dining room with French doors to the rear garden, a study and a guest cloakroom.

Upstairs, the landing leads to a large lounge, two well-proportioned bedrooms and a family bathroom.

Two further bedrooms – one with an en-suite bathroom – can be found on the top floor while outside there is a single garage.

Like all new homes at Willow Lake, the ‘Falcondale’ enjoys a high standard specification, including gas central heating, double glazing and a kitchen with built-in oven, hob and hood.

The development currently has a range of three-bedroom homes available priced from £194,995 and four-bedroom homes from £269,995.

Within easy reach of central Milton Keynes – named by The Sunday Times as the fourth best place in Britain to make an investment in property – Willow Lake also enjoys a location close to Buckinghamshire’s open countryside.

The development will feature a range of facilities within easy walking distance, comprising a primary school, a recreational park, a hotel and leisure amenities.

A supermarket, nurseries and schools, and a choice of pubs and restaurants can be found a short distance from the development.

For commuters, the A5 and the M1 are just a few minutes’ drive from Willow Lake, while services from Bletchley railway station to Euston put the capital just over an hour away by train. Those travelling further afield will appreciate that Luton Airport is a 40-minute drive from the development.

George Wimpey’s easymover programme offers a range of special incentives on selected properties including support for first time buyers - while customers with a house to sell can reserve their new home and then sit back and relax while the housebuilder helps to find a buyer for their current property.

Further information on Willow Lake is available by visiting the Sales Centre, located off Drayton Road, and open Friday to Wednesday from 11am to 5pm.

Information on all George Wimpey developments across the region is available online at georgewimpey.co.uk .