PETER and Jen knew this barn conversion was the home of their dreams as soon as they set eyes on it. Peter and Jen McParlin, were actually looking at another property when they fell in love with the barn. But now the couple are to up sticks and move to North Carolina because of the success of their brass model train business in the US.
Peter, 52, recalls how they fell in love with the property in Coquetdale 12 years ago. He says: "We had always wanted a Northumberland barn conversion. We were coming to see another property. But then we drove past this place – which was unconverted – and saw that we had a chance to do it from scratch. "We clenched each other’s hands and thought ‘this is it’." The couple, who live with their five cats – Candy, Tilly, Bandit, Tara and Heidi – were keen to put their own stamp on the place. Peter says: "To start with it was obviously a barn for animals on the ground floor with a hay loft. The builder was converting the units slowly. He showed us the plans and we changed them considerably. "We wanted to make the place our own – from the marble floor in the dining room to the Chinese slate floor in the kitchen." It includes a hall, cloakroom, lounge with stripped and polished floorboards and wood burning stove and dining room with a door to the garden. There is a breakfasting kitchen and utility room/study. The first floor has the master bedroom with stripped and polished floorboards and pine fireplace with electric stove, two further bedrooms and a bathroom with a built-in music system. He says: "The bathroom is a real sanctuary and a great place to relax. We are not overlooked and you can lie in the bath and look out across open countryside." Features include beamed ceilings and exposed brickwork in many rooms. The property has a detached conservatory, workshop with loft space and a garage. It is approached via a gravelled driveway. The walled, low-maintenance gardens feature ornamental bridges and patios, mature shrubs, plants and trees. Peter says: "There is 20 feet of stream running through the garden, which means we also have waterside living. Just about everyone who visits comments on the sound of running water. It’s perfect for those who would like an idyllic countryside setting. We are going to be gutted to leave it behind." 11 Netherton Southside, Netherton, is for sale through Pattinson estate agents at £395,000, tel: 08451 461598. | 
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