THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
Space is the final frontier for a modern villa in Lauder Built in 2008, this detached five/six bedroomed house is one of 27 villas on a small development by CALA Homes in Lauder, a popular Borders town that offers the best of both worlds - a rural lifestyle surrounded by open countryside and outdoor leisure opportunities, but also quick and easy access to Edinburgh and south of the border. The town’s proximity to commuter links – which will be further enhanced by a station at Stow under the proposed re-instatement of the Waverly railway line – area, and local amenities proved an irresistible combination for Stephen and Helen Hill, when they bought this house on its completion. “We are only a short walk from a new primary school, which CALA built as part of the development, while the town centre and open countryside are also only a few minutes walk from the house,” says Stephen. “It’s a win-win location for commuting and also for an enhanced lifestyle.” The abundance of space is one of the first things that strike you about this property. But then CALA is renowned for building top end houses that feel more on a par size-wise with traditional properties. The layout is versatile and includes a vestibule and hall, cloakroom, living room with double doors to a dining room, dining kitchen, utility, study/sixth bedroom, five double-size bedrooms (two with en suite facilities) and family bathroom. There’s also an integral double garage and large, enclosed garden.
Being in pristine condition throughout – and only four years old – there is very little scope for further improving this house, although they have installed a ceiling projector in one of the upstairs rooms, effectively turning it into a home cinema (fittings included in the sale). However, the Hills have improved the outside by extending the patio, which incorporates LED lighting. They have also added a large shed and summerhouse and installed electrically operated doors to the garage. The hub of this home is the spacious dining kitchen, which is fitted with light oak-effect floor and wall units with contrasting black worktops, grey splashback tiling, and stainless steel appliances – built-in double oven and five-burner gas hob with stainless steel splashback and overhead chimney-style extractor, in addition to an integrated dishwasher and space for an American -style fridge freezer (the latter can be included in the sale by separate negotiation). There is also a breakfast bar and plenty of space for a large table and chairs in the spacious area at the other end of the kitchen, which has the added attraction of French doors access to the patio and garden beyond. The adjoining utility, fitted to match the kitchen, has the same slate-grey tileeffect flooring and plumbing for laundry appliances.
Upstairs, the main bedroom has a bay window, walk-in dressing room and very attractive en suite bathroom with bath and double-size shower cabinet, while bedroom two has an equally attractive en suite shower room with vanity storage – and all the bedrooms have fitted wardrobes. The main bathroom is similarly beautifully fitted with vanity storage, bath and separate shower. The rear garden is fully enclosed, which makes it a safe haven for children and pets. Comprising mainly lawn with planted borders and a vegetable plot, it also has a delightful patio adjoining the house and pretty summerhouse. The monobloc driveway at the front of the property provides plenty of space for off-road parking. This is an exceptionally spacious family home within a very desirable setting. Lauder has excellent local amentities, including shops, hotels, services, and schools – Earlston High School is one of the top performing schools in Scotland. It also scores high marks for leisure facilities, with golf, bowling and tennis clubs and a sports/leisure centre.
24 Allanbank Gardens, Lauder Guide Price £430,000 Details on page 7
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