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Press Release: August 2008

The Algarve has been the happiest discovery" say owners of exquisite Portuguese home created from a 150 year old farmhouse

Quinta Cebeça  de Vento, which translates as ’Day Dreamers Farm’ is an exceptional property for sale in the Central Algarve, 4 bedroom detached villa, overlooking the sea from a privileged hilltop location 2 kms from Almancil, Central Algrave, Portugal.

Transformed by the current owners into an extraordinary Central Algarve Property retaining many of the original features including half metre thick walls, open fireplace and natural stone archway. Property boasts spacious reception rooms, separate TV room, live-in kitchen with fireplace, library and study,4 bathrooms and separate cloakroom, private landscaped gardens, water features, terraces, BBQ areas and heated infinity pool. Eco-friendly features. Set in nature reserve, with panoramic views. 10 minutes beach, 15 minutes Marina. 1,509,954 euros / approx £1,189,039

“We researched so many destinations, but the Algarve has been the happiest discovery”, says Hugh Crowther, who, together with his wife, Melodie, has created, from a 150-year old Portuguese farmhouse, a stunningly unique 4-bedroom villa, which cleverly incorporates original features with the best of 21st century amenities.

The Crowthers have travelled the world, Hugh as an oil executive and Melodie as an award-winning designer for companies like Ogilvy, Grey Advertising and VZ Artistry. While based in London and the US, their work has taken them to many countries including Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia, and included the reconstruction of an old Cape Dutch farmstead in Cape Town, the creation of a bijou palace in Delhi, the rescuing of a Frank Lloyd Wright style ranch home in Dallas, not to mention the renovation of a terraced house in Twickenham.

So why did the couple choose Portugal as their home base?

“We needed somewhere central for my consulting business, so this ruled out Australia and South Africa. For comfort and ease of lifestyle, we also wanted somewhere not too crowded or over-developed, which eliminated the UK and the USA. Portugal, especially Central Algarve, feels more like Africa in its warmth, laid-back attitude and friendliness, but is rich in history and European culture, and it is not out of the way. There’s a short commute to London or Frankfort and thence to Asia, plus direct flights to New York, Rio and Johannesburg. The Portuguese colonised most places in the world, so there is a strong international flavour, which I guess accounts for the locals being very  ‘foreigner tolerant’, and English, or even French, will get you by most times”.

According to Hugh this part of Portugal is not isolated but is under populated and traffic free, thanks to EU funding.

If you want a change from the glorious nearby beaches, swimming safaris under golden cliffs along the sheltered coves of the south coast or wild open surfing in the west, the roads inland soon lead to lakes, Roman ruins, hamlets, mountains and wine estates, tapas lunches in Spain (40mins), shopping in Lisbon (3 hours by road or rail) and of course the glamour of Seville – about 2 and a half hours away. The mountainous inland is increasingly being developed for adventure and exploration activities, increasing the choice far beyond the Central Algarve’s traditional sea and golf attractions.

There are also good tax breaks and excellent medical facilities.

Their home, which is now on the Central Algarve real estate market, was bought from the last surviving family member of a working farm in 1998. Located in a nature reserve, its re-development was subject to strict planning regulations and seemingly endless delays, but their patience has produced a spectacular result almost 10 years later. Melodie used the time to explore the local architectural vernacular and scour architectural salvage sites for original fittings to add to her stash collected from around the world, like carved kitchen doors and cabinets sourced from a 200 year-old palace in Bahrain. In the meantime, Hugh researched local materials and techniques best suited for an energy-efficient building, with innovations like eco-friendly air-conditioning and a total rainwater conservation system. Between them, they have created an extraordinary property, aptly named Quinta Cabeça de Vento, or Daydreamer Farm. It truly is born of dreams, and bound to inspire more.

Their four bedroom luxury central Algarve villa is now on the market for 1,509,954 euros / approx £1,189,039 through Unique Living.

The property in the quiet countryside between Almancil and the market town of Loule, is set within a national protected reserve. The property has a rustic feel but upon entering you are surrounded by brightness, lightness and spaciousness, in an ambience of easy country living. There is a massive stone archway separating the dining room from the drawing room, which has a unique feeling of airy grandeur heightened by the mezzanine which acts as a library and study or sewing room, leading into the master suite, on the first floor. There is an open fireplace, traditional terracotta floors and farmhouse style ceilings with natural wooden beans.

The grounds extend to an acre with orchards of figs, almonds, oranges, lemons and olives. There are manicured lawns, ponds and terraces. It is 10 minutes drive to the beach and 15 minutes to sophisticated Vilamoura Marina.

Editors Notes

Construction and design
Owners happy to talk to the press about their project

Eco
This property has good eco credentials and more information is available upon request.

Tax benefits in Portugal
More information available upon request

Photographs
of high resolution photos available upon request.

Unique Living combines Property Search and sophisticated Estate Agency services for those seeking superior properties in prime exclusive locations.

Unique Living, International Real Estate, was established in 2002 and operates from our London head office. Founded by Serge Cowan and Sophie Hammond, Unique Living has simplified the search for overseas residences by bridging the gap that divides the services of Estate Agents and Property Finders. We pride ourselves on a personal approach to each transaction.

Member of NAEA and FOPDAC (International)

Unique Living – International Real Estate
0845 430 0185
www.uniqueliving.com

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