HAVING worked on 37 different property projects, James Chapple could give TV’s Sarah Beeney a run for her money in the developing stakes.
 The chirpy Londoner has made the North East his home after falling in love with the beautiful Northumberland coastline – and, of course, his wife Elly, 34. He’s bursting with enthusiasm after completing their barn conversion in Hipsburn, near Alnmouth, and is itching to get stuck into the next project. "We bought the barn just before Christmas 2008 from the Duke of Northumberland," says James, 35. "It was an old smithy dating from the mid 1700s. It had been sitting on the market for a few months and was in a bit of a state." The couple bought the shell for £142,000, budgeting the same amount for renovation work which took nine months from February to November last year. Although it had planning permission for a two-bed house, they bought an extra section of the barn to create a third bedroom with en suite and James re-jigged the layout swapping the sitting room and kitchen around to make more of the views. "We spent £160,000 but that includes converting an outbuilding into a one-bed holiday cottage, which wasn’t in the original budget," says James. "And it was only about four weeks over schedule." As the property was recently valued at £425,000, the pair have made a paper profit of almost £125,000 – although they have no plans to sell at present. At the heart of their home, which they share with children Ella, three, and six-week old Reuben, is a stunning living/dining/kitchen with full-height ceiling and original beams. The living and eating spaces are separated by a tall chimney breast with double-sided stove. "There was a big crack through the lintel where the blacksmith’s forge was," says James. "I kept it, cut it up and reused it to make the beams for the new fireplace, which I’m very proud of." It’s clear James loves his new life by the sea. "It was a big change but very much helped by the fact that the people in the village were so friendly," he says. "We were immediately accepted and it’s been brilliant." | 
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