We were proud to announce during March that Pathways Chesterfield is our charity of the year for 2023. 

Following a successful charity bake sale earlier in the year where we raised over £100 in the office, we are delighted to have recently completed our second fundraising event. On the 14th June, we completed a sponsored walk around Linacre Reservoir, which we can now reveal raised an amazing £1,225 thanks to the incredible generosity of individuals and companies who made a donation. 

We want to say a big thank you to everyone involved whether you took part in the walk or made a donation, it all counts!

A special thanks to our corporate donors: 

FPCR Environment and Design Ltd Consultants

Hexa Consulting

BRM

Planning & Design Practice

Adam Partington

Autofit

Taylor Maxwell

Squirrell Plant & Transport

Wilson Roof Truss Ltd

The Symphony Group

Burbeary Joinery 

Pathways is a fantastic organisation that aims to support the homeless and people at risk of becoming homeless across Chesterfield, North Derbyshire and Bolsover. The charity not only provides practical help to individuals on their housing needs, but aims to deliver a holistic service including mental health support, emergency food and relief for financial difficulties. 

Our next event in support of Pathways is already in the works and we would be delighted to see you there supporting our continued efforts to raise money for a truly worthwhile cause. 

In the meantime if you would like to make a donation to support the incredible work Pathways does, please visit their website here: https://www.justgiving.com/pathways-ofchesterfield

Earlier this month, our land and planning director Chris Dwan attended the All-Saints RC School careers cafe.

This was a brilliant opportunity for us to promote the housing industry as a viable career path to young students and spark their interest in the field.

Following the event, Chris said: “The event was a success with lots of students in attendance, and there seemed to be genuine curiosity about the housing industry –  with the most enquiries from students about bricklaying, closely followed by architecture, engineering, and planning.

“Numerous industries are now actively engaging with young students even before they make crucial decisions regarding their academic paths, which ultimately shape their careers, so it is vital that we showcase the housing industry as a captivating field that offers immense potential for growth and the ability to positively impact lives.”  

Chris is currently a governor at All Saints, where he is continually involved in work to improve operations and protect the well-being of students. As a result, we have a strong relationship with the school and we are looking forward to working with them on their future careers events.

Engaging with the community is a key part of our values at Woodall Homes and we strongly believe in giving back to the areas we operate in as much as possible. To read more about the other community projects we have been involved with, visit our blog here.

We recently spoke to Malvi, one of our buyers, to find out more about her experience buying her forever home with Woodall Homes

Malvi runs an Instagram page for her home, showcasing the stunning styling throughout her property, including some beautiful seasonal décor. We have included some of the fantastic stylings from her page @simplymalvi throughout this Q&A!

Why did you choose to buy with Woodall Homes?

When we started searching for our dream house, we were not sure what our expectations were. Once you dive deeper into your searches – after looking at different floor plans, room sizes, locations of properties, visiting show homes, reading online reviews etc., then you realise what you are truly after.

We knew from the beginning that we wished to find our forever home, so we wanted our decision to be thoughtful and thorough. Once we knew what our minimum expectations for our future house were, one of Woodall Homes’ houses and developments managed to tick all the most important boxes. The home we chose is situated in an extremely convenient location. We are surrounded by countryside with the Peak District on the doorstep, and we love the house layout.

Moreover, an element of flexibility from Woodall Homes played a significant role in our purchasing decision. We previously lived a five-hour journey from the build site and the only time when we could see the site together or visit the sales office to make important decisions regarding finishes etc. was on Sundays Woodall Homes always found a solution to accommodate our needs and make it possible for us to purchase our dream home within expected timeframe.

Dave and Fiona always went above and beyond from day one.

Why did you choose the Wycombe house type?

We decided to buy Wycombe simply because of its floor plan and integrated garage aspect and we liked its pragmatic design with some added storage space.

We love practical and efficient spaces and Woodall Homes approved our small alternations to their design so we could create an even better flow throughout the house. The positions of the rooms, their relationship to each other and finally appropriate room sizes make this house style practical family home.

What is your favourite feature of your home?

It depends on who you ask!
The most appreciated feature for me is the kitchen window and garden shape. For a very long time I dreamt about having a large kitchen window over the sink, perfectly in the middle, overlooking the garden. I visualised myself washing my mug and admiring growing plants, herbs and trees while sunlight streams in. It just makes the kitchen feel airy, bright, and fresh.

I assume you can guess what’s the favourite aspect of our space for my other half – the integrated garage. Regardless of the weather, we can get there and back as many times as we need without a need to leave our house. It’s extremely convenient for working on DIY projects over the winter months.

 

Do you have any tips for buying a new build home?

Yes, do your research, especially if you commit to long-term decisions.
Read lots of reviews about all local developers so you know what you need to ask for. It’s a big decision and it’s not just about selecting colours and designs of kitchen cabinets and floors -although that’s the most exciting part! You can change always change the aesthetics of your home or upgrade at any time in the future.

In all these, don’t be afraid to think big! Things which may feel impossible when you start looking for a new build property become your reality once you put a lot of belief, effort, and time into your searches. Don’t settle for less and don’t be discouraged after initial failures. There is a perfect home for you somewhere, it may just not be built yet!

 

What is your home styling inspiration, and do you have any favourite interior trends?

It’s a very difficult question for me as I feel so undefined in that area. I am still in the process of discovering my own favourite interior styles. When we moved in, I did not have much idea of what I wanted our home to look like inside. All I knew was that I did not want it to have the same style as our previous property which was modern but had a lot of dark natural wood accents with contrasting white walls.

For this one, I wanted to feel even more airy and bright, modern, and classic at the same time and much more neutral in general. My home styling inspiration would meet somewhere between neutral, modern, sleek, warm Scandinavian decor and a modern American-style farmhouse with lots of white and very subtle neutral shades.

 

I love nature, neutrals, and simplicity. These three aspects would define my interior style. I don’t really follow any interior trends as they change too often. I love interior styles which have a staying power and are extremely practical and simple at the same time. My aim is to create a timeless and simple space which will not feel outdated in a few years, and I believe it’s possible but requires a lot of careful planning.

 

What’s your favourite season to style for and why?

That’s another tricky question for me as each season has its own beauty. I feel deeply connected to nature and all seasons are perfect movements in harmony with each other. I am excited to style home each time a new season approaches.
However, when I think about the autumn and winter months with Christmas time, there is just so much cosiness about them both that my heart becomes full of comfort and joy. Warm oversized blankets, hand-made unique huge mugs with hot drinks, a cat on your lap, the sound of the fireplace, and crispy walks make me feel at home.

 

I am always excited about bringing nature home and adding all Earth’s colours to interior designs. It’s like having a neutral canvas and adding a little splash of colours to it. Autumn is my special time for interior styling as it’s a time of orange, yellow and red tree branches in vases, colourful wreaths made of what you brought from long walks and pumpkins everywhere. You don’t have to spend a fortune to decorate your home for this season, compared to Xmas. You can go outdoors and bring unique autumn decor to your cosy space instead.

Follow @simplymalvi on Instagram for more

With the longer days and warmer weather on the way, a Spring clean isn’t the only way to prepare your interior for the coming months. We’re embracing the new season with open arms and have chosen a few of our favourite pieces to spruce up your living space.

Biophilic design is set to soar in popularity this year. If you’re unsure what that means, it’s essentially bringing the outdoors in, making your interior feel a bit more like a natural environment. This Shade Loving Set from Patch is perfect for bringing light to darker corners where regular plants may struggle.

Organised storage is the best way to make your Spring clean last. The modular String shelving system from String Furniture allows you to create your own unique combination of shelving, based on your unique space and requirements.

Green is the stand out colour trend for Spring / Summer 2022, so why not give your walls a new lease of life with the Duck Green shade from Farrow and Ball?

According to the Living Cozy Index, Google searches for maximalist interior design jumped almost 300% last year. That means busy prints and bold colours. Wayfair has a fantastic selection of maximalist bedding, whether it’s jungle print you’re after, or more of a floral style.

Large mirrors are great for opening up a space and making the most of all that natural Spring light. The Arcus arched mirror from William Wood has a clean, crisp and unimposing design, ideal for your new Woodall home.

In the lead up to the launch of our Forest View development on Sandy Lane in Mansfield, we have gathered a selection of our favourite things to do in the local area.

For those who don’t know, Mansfield is a large market town in Nottinghamshire with plenty to offer and is close by to the beautiful Sherwood Forest!

Walks Around Mansfield

Starting at Kingsmill Reservoir, The Timberland Trail runs around the southern edge of Mansfield town centre. The walk is roughly 6.5 miles, with free parking available at Kingsmill Reservoir.

From Racecourse Road you can join The Mansfield Way. Following the Mansfield-Southwell railway route to Rainworth, the 6.5-mile route leads to Sherwood Pines Forest Park.

Places to Eat and Drink

Newly opened in 2021, The Horizon Mansfield Coffee restaurant offers a mixture of Turkish and English cuisine alongside coffee, cakes and alcoholic beverages.

Ciao Bella Lounge on Nottingham Road is only 1.5 miles away from Forest View.

The Italian restaurant offers a beautiful dining experience in their lounge, bar and Mediterranean garden, serving breakfast, pizza and light lunches daily.

Mansfield has a great selection of bars and nightlife to choose from, including Capo Lounge, The Cheeky Monkey and INDUSTRIA.

Days Out

A fantastic attraction, the Mansfield Museum offers a range of activities for children such as quizzes, excellent trails, and exciting exhibitions. Free to visit, the museum is less than a mile from Forest View. 

Bolsover Castle is only a 20-minute drive from Mansfield, providing spectacular views over the Derbyshire countryside. The historic Stuart Mansion is an English Heritage site packed with activities for a fun-filled day out.

i-Jump Trampoline Park, is a fantastic family experience suitable for all ages, with family jump passes available from £25.