Transforming a traditional 1930s semi into a ‘boutique-style’ family home has proved an enjoyable project for James and Alison Melhuish.

With plenty of hard work and the help of builders they have skillfully renovated and extended Forter House in Woodstock Road, Witney.

The couple bought the house in 2003, but three years later realised they would need more space with the arrival of their first child Gracie, now three.

Mr Melhuish, a business development manager for an IT company, said: “We looked at properties in West Oxfordshire, but soon realised it would be more cost-effective to improve rather than move.”

Within a year the property had been renovated to create an 18,000ft home with an L-shaped extension at the rear.

Standlake-based builders Horan Construction carried out the major alterations but the couple stamped their mark on the interior design.

The home now has a period exterior with a thoroughly contemporary interior, to ensure all the comforts of modern family living are all on hand.

Forter House has an enormous open-plan ground floor with a sitting room/dining room and a family room/kitchen. It has limestone flooring and a Poggenpohl kitchen with white walnut and granite worksurfaces and integrated Miele appliances.

Two sets of glass doors lead into the low-maintenance garden which boasts ingenious concealed lighting.

On the first floor there are four good-sized double bedrooms. The master bedroom has a dressing room and an en-suite with a two person walk-in shower.

Forter house is also a clutter-free, high-tech heaven. It is wired for broadband and a central communication system allows a single Sky box or similar audio/visual device to feed every room in the house.

Mr Melhuish said; “We have enjoyed living at Forter House but want to carry out another renovation project. Ideally we would like a home nearer our family in Standlake.”

Teresa O’Hare, of Oxford-based selling agents Pink & Black, said: “Forter House is elegant and just pure luxury. The interior is like a boutique hotel on a small scale.”

Forter House has a guide price of £575,000. For more details call Pink & Black on 01865 515919.

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