ANNITA LANITOU takes a look around a property for sale near Limassol that has been built with the wheelchair bound in mind
SITUATED in the pine forests of Souni and set in three plots of land, stands a superb five-bedroom bungalow — comprising of a main house and two studio bungalows – that provides a user friendly home for the wheelchair bound and able bodied alike.
Built one year ago, this property is now for sale. “It is a family house designed which was designed for a large family with people coming and going. But by also having the two extra bungalows built outside in the grounds, there is space for friends to stay or for business acquaintances who can also have a little bit of privacy,” explained Mike Smith who is currently house sitting the property.
For people who use wheelchairs, the first hurdle to be overcome in most homes is the front doorstep. There are several options to overcome such barriers, most obviously the insertion of ramps. The house in Souni has ramps at the front door of the main house, from the bungalow out to the main path and the main road, making the journey from car to house/studios easy. Once access is gained, the next barrier is frequently, narrow doorways.
“At the stage when the shell of the house was actually built, the owners worked very closely with the developer and with the idea that the wife, who was in a wheelchair, had to get around easily. So the doors were increased in size, and are actually over a meter wide so that the wheelchair can glide through easily,” explained Mike. All the doors have lever-style handles too so that there is no grasping, twisting or pressure to open a door.
The huge kitchen, which overlooks the swimming pool, is fully equipped with plenty of room to manoeuver a wheelchair and with easily accessible cupboards. Adjacent to the kitchen is a magnificent sitting/dining room with a galleried landing in the roof space that is ideal for extra storage. Again, very spacious rooms accommodate and make life easier for a person in a wheelchair.
The hallways of this tastefully done up bungalow are also wide as are the folding French windows in every room that open outward to prevent the door from being blocked from the inside in case of emergency. They are also on the same floor level as the outside so that “the wheelchair can transit through without too much difficulty,” said Mike. The master bedroom with its vaulted ceiling has an en-suite bathroom equipped with grab bars next to the toilet and bath while the sink is mounted at a height that allows the wheelchair to roll underneath it. There is also a seat in the bathtub to help with entry.
Air-condition and heating is provided via split units in all the rooms and all bedrooms have built in wardrobes. There are also three bathrooms.
Mike added “The house was actually designed so that the guest bedrooms were at one end of the house and the master bedroom could be private at the other end of the house and then everybody could meet in the kitchen or the little sitting area in the vicinity. Very private but at the same time very homely.”
Outside, the bungalow is surrounded by grounds that are mostly patio with some areas of garden. “You can wheel yourself all the way round the house,” explained Mike’s wife Jacki. The 12mx6m swimming pool is heated enabling one to use it in the winter. It is wheelchair friendly at one end with double handrails for easy access into the pool. It is also serviced by very efficient sand filter system to keep maintenance to a minimum. Next to the pool is a wonderful covered bar area with electricity points and space for an outdoor fridge to keep drinks cool and a barbeque area for alfresco dining and also the added benefit of a large imported hardwood surround American Jacuzzi.
“The pool is actually very therapeutic for someone in a wheelchair because they can exercise their legs in the pool as in physiotherapy, which is very much why they have the Jacuzzi as well.”
The other two quaint outside studio bungalows that can be reached via a ramp and stairs offer privacy to both the owners of the house and the guests. They are fully furnished and have a fully equipped kitchen area and shower room.
The home is set in beautiful, serene surroundings and is within a short distance of Limassol. It is for sale as one lot for £250,000.
Mike and Jacki Smith (Tel: 25 717006, 25 717007)
