HAVING seen computer-generated drawings of the Outlook, I thought that seeing it in the flesh, as it were, would be no surprise. But in fact the appearance of the finished home, positioned close to the entrance at The Lawns show, was much more impressive than I had expected.

The footprint of this innovative new home is cruciform – a central rectangular section with pitched roof, on to either side of which are attached identically-sized extensions (about two-fifths the length of the main section), each of which has its own pitched roof.

The width from the wall of the front extension to the back wall of the main section of the home is 22ft 3in – the maximum permitted under mobile home legislation. Because the rear extension is open (albeit covered) – accessed through patio doors on that main section back wall – it is not included in the width of the home. In other words, you are getting extra width in the form of a well-protected, roofed and spacious deck.

The front extension is vertically clad in treated cedar, which contrasts beautifully with the smooth white stucco finish of the main body of the home and gives it the solid appearance of a ‘permanent’ building. There are vertical cedar cladding panels on the end walls, too.

In the centre of the front extension is a recessed porch with two modern carriage lamps on its side walls. The fully-glazed front door has glass panels either side and an apex window above rising into the roof pitch.

You step through the front door onto a grey tiled floor with white tongue and groove-style walls and ceiling around you. Immediately right is a utility room with a cupboard for the combi boiler, a sink and drainer with a washer/dryer and double cupboard below.


LOUNGE AND DINER

Ahead is the open plan lounge and dining area; hallways lead off to the right and left and these are separated from the living area by half-height partitions faced with grey stone cladding on both sides. A chimney breast feature in the lounge is clad in the same style.

Beyond, on the back wall of the living area, folding patio doors stretch the full width of the room, opening out onto that covered porch area, which is in cedar, with slatted sides.

In the show home at The Lawns, the lounge was furnished with a large green L-shaped fabric sofa, a large matching armchair, a coffee table and a retro ‘egg’ chair that fans of The Prisoner might recognise as used by No 2 in the iconic original TV series (an optional extra).

The suite, it must be said, was generally recognised as a touch too large for the area and the furniture may be changed for future versions of the home.

In the left corner by one of the partitions was a dining table and four faux leather upholstered chairs – adequate for four, but not for more!

Other features of the living area include a rather nice electric fan in the centre of the vaulted ceiling; a pair of three-lamp pendants; beam features; a landscape, white pebble effect electric fire with bronze-style surround on the faux chimney breast; and above that an LCD TV with integrated DVD player (standard). There is beige carpet on the floor and beige drapes across the patio doors and the front door and its side windows.


KITCHEN

In the far left-hand corner of the living area, a door leads into the handily sized, well-equipped kitchen. The layout is U-shaped and the first work area, to the right, below two windows with Venetian blinds is clear. Below are cupboards at either end, with the space between them free so that the worktop can be used as a breakfast bar – two gas-powered stools being provided.

At the far end, beneath two more windows, is the 11/2 sink and drainer, with cupboards below. On the left hand work area is the four-burner gas hob with grill//oven below and extractor above. Either side of the extractor are wall cup-boards and some narrow shelves, perhaps for wine. Below are three drawers (two pan drawers), and an integrated dishwasher. At the end, next to the door, is the integrated fridge/freezer.

Two pendant lamps hang above the breakfast bar, each with double shades in clear and green glass. Inset spots and under-cupboard lamps provide other light, and there seemed to be sufficient power points. The floor is plank-style vinyl.


BEDROOMS

The passageways at the entrance lead to the bedrooms, one each end of the home. That to the right is the master, with a double bed below a letterbox window; either side are narrow bedside cabinets and a wall-mounted shelf. The power points (only one pair) for the bedside lamps are rather inconveniently placed behind one of the cabinets. There are TV points on the wall.

The area isn’t huge, taking up half of this end of the Outlook, though there is sufficient walk-round space. However, a further quarter of the room is taken up by a lovely, open walk-in ward-robe and dressing room. There is a dressing table in an alcove with drawer and upholstered drum stool and mirror and light above; hanging space with large shelf above; and a five-drawer chest.

From the dressing room a door leads into an en suite taking up the final quarter of the space. This is a superb wet room, with mosaic-tiled open shower with overhead drencher and hand-held attachment, plus cabinet, sink and mirror.

In the other direction, a door leads into a nice bathroom with bath and low level shower. At the end is the second bedroom, a twin here (though suitable as a double), with four-drawer cabinet between the beds, a dressing table with drum stool and a freestanding two-door wardrobe.


VERDICT

Superb. No point in beating about the bush. It looks lovely from the outside. Its covered back porch is a great feature. The master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and en suite is excellent. The kitchen is well-equipped. The décor is mostly neutral, though the brick features in the living area contrasting with white-tongue-and-groove walls and ceiling work really well. Once the lounge furniture is sorted (you may want to choose your own anyway), there will be few things to criticise about the Outlook.

This home is being marketed as a hybrid, suitable as a residential home or leisure lodge, and I think it probably does fit the bill either way. It also comes in at below £100,000 – and OK, that’s ex works and ex VAT, but even so...

Two other versions are available, including a two-bed 42ft design with a layout that dispenses with the rear extension and instead has a porch in the rear corner with a spa pool built into the deck!


INFO

Tingdene Homes, Bradfield Road, Finedon Road Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, Northants NN8 4HB
Tel: 01933 230130 Email: [email protected] Web: www.tingdene.co.uk


Technical details
• Type: twin unit park home/lodge
• Standard: BS3632
• Size: 40ft x 22ft
• Bedrooms: 2
• Other versions: 42ft x 22 ft, 2 bed, corner porch and spa pool; 42ft x 22ft, 3 bed

Main features
• Smooth stucco and vertical cedar cladding
• 19° pitch roof with angled gable overhangs
• Vaulted ceilings to lounge and lobby
• Folding patio doors to full width of lounge
• Covered decking area with slatted sides.
• White tongue and groove ceilings throughout
• Grey brick effect chimney breast and partition walls to lounge
• Landscape pebble effect feature fireplace
• 32in LCD TV with integrated DVD player
• Integrated washer/dryer
• Integrated fridge/freezer
• Integrated oven, hob and extractor
• Integrated dishwasher
• Open walk-in wardrobe with dressing table to master bedroom
• Wet-room en suite shower/WC to master bedroom
• Separate bathroom/WC with low-level overbath shower

Selected options
• Egg chair
• 32in TV with DVD and Freesat
• 37in TV with DVD and Freesat
• Special furniture to en suite


This feature was published in the November 2011 issue of Park & Holiday Homes. To order a copy of Park & Holiday Homes please click here


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