1960s modern house in Hurworth Place, near Darlington, Durham
Restored and presented perfectly, this 1960s modern house in Hurworth Place, near Darlington, Durham, is up for sale.
And that’s the selling point here. Yes, the house itself is very appealing if 1960s modernism or midcentury modern is your thing. But it’s how ‘Cumana’ has been updated without losing the character and appeal of the original era.
The house was designed by the award-winning architects and husband and wife duo Robert Shaw Mortimer and Elizabeth Mortimer back in 1966. Known for their modernist designs and their desire to connect the inside space with the outside, this is typical of their work and, I would guess, one of the best-preserved examples too.
But this isn’t some kind of time capsule or renovation project. Far from it. Cumana is a modern-day family home with character.
The secret to that – and it is often missed when renovating 20th-century houses – is to restore and maintain the key details within the house whilst updating the more functional aspects in keeping with the original design.
It sounds simple, but it isn’t. And when it is done right, it’s a credit to the owners.
In the case of this house, the light and space are maintained, as is the eye-catching wood and stone exterior, the internal beams, the yellow door and the lobby with original terracotta tiles. Oh yes, all that wood panelling too. I know wood divides opinion sometimes, but I can’t imagine anyone not loving the finish here.
Elsewhere there are those updates, which tend to be in keeping or at least give a nod to the original era. The kitchen with splashes of colour, the wooden cabinetry in the bathroom, and many of the fixtures and furnishings (which you’ll obviously have to replicate yourself if you want the look).
All of that and a large plot, as well as a lovely location, not far from Rockcliffe Hall (where cult classic Get Carter was filmed) and with plenty of country walks and easy commuting via the A1.
So that’s a selling point, as is the space inside the house. Head in through that yellow door, and the lobby with exposed brick, original tiling and beams set the scene for what’s to come.
That leads into the hallway and beyond that, the focal point of the house, which is light, spacious and with plenty of that wood cladding, and its Danish-made, full-height glazing. Note that the glazing also allows access to the outside terrace too.
The room’s layout is essentially broken down into three zones – the lounge, a dining area and a library/snug area. But you can split it how you want.
Off to the right of the hallway is the kitchen, which maintains a hold on the main body of the house via that midcentury classic of the serving hatch. I’m all for bringing those back.
Through a door to the right of the lounge, you are taken into an inner hall, off which three of the four bedrooms are positioned.
To the left is the first of the bedrooms, complete with floor-to-ceiling glazing. Along from that is the second bedroom, currently laid out as a twin room and with another large window.
The third bedroom off the inner hall is the largest of the four, offering views of the garden as well as views of the banks of the River Tees too.
A family bathroom is next to the main bedroom, and off the main hall is the fourth bedroom, as well as a shower room. Finally, a utility room can be found off the entrance hallway, along with access to the double garage.
Oh yes, the outside too. That covers something like 0.65 acres, with a long sweeping driveway, trees, borders and lawn, plus the bank of the River Tees being not too far away.
Fancy it? The house is now on the market at offers over £500,000.
Images and details courtesy of Love Property. For more details or to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
All photography by Mark Pidhajeckyj at vue3sixty Ltd.
