Moving in just before Christmas, Camille Ploszynski and Grace Tanner, both 27, didn’t initially plan on being side by side for the foreseeable, but fate played its part.
Camille recalls: “Me and my husband were expecting our second baby and were actually looking at an older house on the other side of Benson. But having both worked in estate agency and wanting to be nosy, we went and had a look at the new build Hopefield Grange development Grace had just bought a house on. As soon as we did, that was it for us. It had a spacious downstairs for entertaining family and friends, even sized bedrooms for our two boys, lots of storage and a good sized garden for a new build. It was exactly what we were after.”
But even then, both Grace and Camille were still unaware they’d end up living right next to each other.
Camille continues: “We viewed the show home and then spoke to the sales office, who showed us the last house of that style which we went for. I sent a photo to Grace and of course it was the house right next door to hers. We both couldn’t believe it! What were the chances of that?!”
Having two young sons each, it was never a planned idea to raise their families as neighbours, or in Benson. Grace grew up locally but couldn’t afford to buy in an Oxfordshire village when expecting her first son, but always dreamed of moving back there with her partner Carl. Camille lived in Berkshire, but along with her husband Matt, always had aspirations of buying in a village. However, the timing became right, as Benson and Hopefield Grange worked well for both families as part of Cala Homes’ part exchange service.
Grace comments: “A massive selling point for both of us was the part exchange service on offer at Cala Homes. It made the process quick, stress free and we were both paid market value for our properties. It all felt a little too good to be true.
“The service we received was second to none. We both moved in within six weeks of putting down a reservation fee just before Christmas, and it was amazing to spend the festive period in our new homes. Cala decorated the houses with a Christmas tree and had presents for all four boys which made it extra special. It really was those little touches that made such a difference to our moving in journey.”
Now settled in to life as neighbours, both couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, next to anyone else.
“Our boys are always talking over the garden fence to each other, it’s so cute! We’re forever having playdates and trips out where they run riot, but we’re also each other’s support system as best friends and help with childcare. At the same time, we both have our own busy lives, so we’re not in each other’s pockets, but it’s always great to know we have each other to fall back on”, Grace says.
Camille and Grace purchased the three-bedroom semi-detached Hurwick housetype, which features an impressive sitting room and kitchen/dining room, with three well-proportioned bedrooms, one of which boasts and en suite.
Both have since gone on to create interior design social media accounts for their homes, marking their home décor journey as they go and fully enjoying designing and decorating the ‘blank canvas’ of their new builds.
“Having everything in the house completely fresh has been great for us creatively”, Grace explains: “We’ve loved putting in our different personalities and characteristics. It’s funny as although our homes are mirror images of each other, they both feel so different when inside.”
Camille adds: “We’re still building our social platforms and are currently setting up a small business together. Being in lockdown gave us that focus to get as creative as possible with the houses. I’ve always loved anything art related, and Grace’s mom owns a handmade items shop which she’s always been involved with. So our homes have been a great outlet to use all of our ideas!”
Hopefield Grange is a prime location in the Oxfordshire which offers an aspirational, rural family lifestyle, with easy access to the Cotswolds and a commutable distance to the Reading, Oxford and London, with London Paddington only a 45 minute train journey. It is a development of luxury two, three, four and five bedroomed family homes, and perfect for families wanting to live a relaxed lifestyle with good access to shopping facilities, schooling and transport links.
Visit our Hopefield Grange page to find out more about the homes on offer or call 01491 525620 to make an appointment to visit the showhomes and sales office, which are open strictly by appointment-only.
