Location

Conveniently situated in the centre of the popular and historic Thameside village of Sonning, which has a well regarded public house, a riverside hotel, a restaurant and a dinner theatre. More comprehensive facilities can be found in nearby Reading and Henley. There are mainline crossrail stations in Reading and Twyford with a fast service to London, Paddington (from 25 mins). The M4 (j10), is approximately 6 miles distant via the A329M providing access to Heathrow and the motorway network. The Thames Valley Business Park is just 3 miles distant. There are a number of excellent schools in the area, including the well-known Reading Blue Coat, C of E primary and secondary school within walking distance, Shiplake College, Queen Anne's Caversham, The Abbey School and The Oratory. Sporting facilities include golf at a number of local courses, riverside walks and boating on the Thames along with sporting facilities for tennis, cricket, hockey, rugby and 5 a side football.

Description

A passionate desire for exclusivity, individuality and hand-built craftsmanship was the brief for the construction of this bespoke family home.

Approached off a tree lined lane via electric gates, within the conservation area of desirable Thames side village.

The Lilacs sits in a plot exceeding 1/3rd of an acre, bordered by mature hedgerows, affording a high degree of seclusion and privacy with a west facing rear garden

There are four generously proportioned double bedrooms as well as a large single bedroom, 4 ground floor reception rooms provides work from home capability and a stunning kitchen – we have never seen so many cupboards

Designed and constructed to exacting standards with painstaking attention to detail, using only best quality materials and time-honored construction methods employed by proven artisans, created the finest possible living environment, complemented with a high level of specification

A Specification of the highest order

KITCHEN AND UTILITY ROOM

To reflect the epitome of luxury and individuality, elegant and bespoke cabinetry in a timeless shaker style with factory painted oak soft close in-frame doors and drawers were commissioned to maximise storage, optimise space and enhance ease of use. Finished in Farrow & Ball colors, complemented by sleek expanses of teak brown natural stone, work surfaces

The focal point of the kitchen is the oversized island having a natural stone surface measuring 8'3" x 5' providing seating for 6 people. Storage is in abundance with 15 wall cupboards, 20 base cupboards including two with LeMans corners, 11 drawers and two pull out spice racks.

Appliances incorporated are an American style fridge/freezer with cold water and ice making facility, induction 5 ring hob and gas provision, extractor hood, wine fridge, dishwasher, two fan assisted ovens, butler style sink with food waste disposal unit and a Quooker "kettle" boiling water tap

The utility room incorporates 9 cupboards with teak brown natural stone work surfaces and also houses the gas boiler. Free-standing washing machine and condensing tumble dryer, deep bowl stainless steel sink - deliberately specified to enable easy cleaning of oven racks and casserole pots

BATHROOM, EN-SUITES & CLOAKROOM

Usually compact and functional – but these are important rooms worthy of that little extra thought and design to provide a sanctuary of luxury and function where your day begins and ends.

Equipped with bespoke furniture to provide an array of vanity storage accessorised with Villeroy & Boch sanitary ware, contemporary chrome furnishings and natural stone surfaces with complementing fully tiled walls and floors

Towel ladder radiators are provided to each bathroom and en-suite; connected to the primary hot water system to enable towel drying during the summer months

An electric shaver point is incorporated within the vanity unit of each en-suite and the bathroom for charging electric toothbrushes and shavers

Wardrobes

Built in wardrobes to each bedroom

DECORATION AND FINISH

Internal walls have a smooth plaster finish and emulsion paint

Ceilings throughout are smooth set, principal rooms are bordered with plaster cornice and remaining rooms have a sculptured coving

INTERNAL JOINERY

The skirting boards, architraves and doorstops are deliberately specified to a wide profile. Internal doors are oak veneer, finished in clear satin varnish for ease of maintenance

STAIRCASE

The staircase was regarded as an important and prominent furniture statement within its setting, deliberately designed with wide treads and risers complimented by an American white oak handrail and newel caps with stop chamfered balusters

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION

A comprehensive electrical system with a generous supply of double power sockets

Sensor controlled external lighting with an override switch is provided around the exterior

Energy saving LED downlights are incorporated within the ceilings, if your preference is for a wall mounted TV, the central LED downlight in the main living room is separately switched so as not to affect the television picture. Pendant light provision is provided to bedroom 5 and the dining room

Dimmer switches and 5 Amp switchable sockets are provided to pre-selected rooms

Chrome faced light switch plates and sockets are fitted throughout

Mains hard wired smoke detectors, carbon monoxide and heat detectors are fitted in accordance with regulations

An external double socket is located to both the front and rear of the property

TELEVISION AND TELEPHONE

The property is equipped with a comprehensive supply of television and telephone points. Television points are wired for Sky +, Sky HD and Sky Q to enable purchaser connection and subscription subject to availability of service provider

SECURITY

An approved hardwired security system is provided. The main control panel is sited adjacent to the principal telephone point enabling subscription to a monitoring service if required. In this instance a modem dialler is installed which, if the alarm is triggered, will provide a notification call to a series of preselected phone numbers – negating the need for costly monthly monitoring fees

CENTRAL HEATING AND HOT WATER

The ground floor has a gas fired wet underfloor heating system with each room being independently zoned, the first floor incorporates radiators with thermostatic controlled valves

A mains pressured water system provides equally pressured hot and cold water, eliminating the need for tanks in the roof space and pumps for showers. This system enables the use of multiple showers simultaneously

A back-up electric immersion heater is fitted to the hot water cylinder

FIREPLACE

Limestone fireplace with a granite inset and hearth incorporates a remote controlled gas fire

INSULATION

Cavity wall, floor and loft insulation

Garden

Principally laid to lawn to the front, side and rear with mature hedgerow borders and shrub beds. A water irrigation system is provided with pop-up lawn sprinklers and also to the front planted beds

To the side is sufficient width to drive a vehicle to the rear garden if required for hedge and tree maintenance

The patio to the rear of the house is 33' x 18' providing space for al-fresco dining and sofa furniture

The summer house has its own patio and incorporates a WC, kitchen style base and wall cupboards, a stainless steel sink with cold water provision and a shower pod, BT, Sky & TV provision, light and power, enabling flexibility of use

Behind the summer house is a garden shed as well as a shed to the front of the property

GARAGE & DRIVE

The double garage is of a larger scale than average, with a bespoke up and over electric door in a 5.4 metre wide opening to enable ease of use for two vehicles. Internally there is light and power, cold water tap for car cleaning, BT point, Sky TV provision, intruder alarm. There is a block paved apron to the front of the garage with parking for 2 vehicles

The large expanse of gravel drive is approached via a set of electric gates and leads to a concrete base of 7.2M x 5.4M with electric provision, designed for a car port subject planning permission being granted

We suggest there is parking provision for at least a dozen vehicles to the drive/car port base and garage apron

THE FABRIC OF THE BUILDING

The materials specified and utilised were carefully considered to create a building which had the appearance of being "instantly mature". The use of best quality textured bricks with tumbled edges combined with the use of a time consuming double struck mortar joint provide walls with dimension, definition and a weathered and textured finish. Hand finished clay roof tiles compliment the brick selection

The internal walls are constructed of concrete block with an insulated cavity. The ground floor is of concrete block and beam construction.

Features that set

Directions

From Henley-on-Thames follow the signs for Reading (A4155). Pass through Shiplake and turn left at The Flowing Spring public house, signposted to Sonning. At the end of the lane turn left onto the B478, cross Sonning Bridge and continue around the bend into Thames Street. At the mini roundabout turn right on to Pearson Road, then 1st left in to Pound Lane. The Lilacs can be found after a short distance on the right. From London, take the M4 motorway and exit at J8/9 taking the A404M towards Marlow and High Wycombe. Take the A4 west to Reading and after about 8 miles take the right hand turning to Sonning on the B478. Continue along this road at the mini roundabout turn left in to Pearson Road, then 1st left in to Pound Lane. The Lilacs can be found after a short distance on the right. Sat Nav RG4 6XE.

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