Divine inspiration creates family home

12:14pm Friday 24th October 2008

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Heavenly vision has helped create a stunning family home in the heart of Headington Quarry, Oxford.

A perfect mix of ancient and modern. Number 3, Gladstone Road is the home of church minister Simon Walker, who teaches at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, his wife Jo and their three children, Barnaby, 11, Jonah, nine, and four-year-old Olivia, pictured right.

Between them they survived the work involved in completely developing and extending the home.

Some 14 months of chaos has resulted in a home with the perfect blend of period and contemporary style.

Rev Walker, who has created a website to help sell the property, said: "We have radically redeveloped the house in keeping with the surroundings of this delightful Conservation Area. We have extended to the rear while retaining the property's original charm and character. Some would say the house is now a heavenly vision.

"You can entertain with elegance, or curl up with a book at the fireside."

David Blythman, of Headington-based selling agents Scott Fraser, added: "The accommodation is arranged over three floors and includes five bedrooms and three bathrooms. There are two reception rooms on the ground floor leading to a double-height open-plan kitchen/dining room with family area and a mezzanine gallery.

"Light floods through a frameless glass roof and wall into these open spaces bringing together garden and living areas."

Mrs Walker, a behavioural adviser who founded Human Ecology, a leadership training organisation with her husband, added: "We are proud of what we have done. It is a wonderful house — a true home with spirit. The children love the space and say it is cool!

" We have been so happy here and know others will be too."

The property has a guide price of £830,000. For more details, call Scott Fraser on 01865 759500