BSPC FEATURED PROPERTY • WWW.BSPC.CO.UK
A five bedroomed modern house in Birgham provides a contemporary take on country living
Aspen House is an aesthetically inspiring detached one-and-a-half-storey modern villa in the Berwickshire village of Birgham, around five miles equidistant from the towns of Kelso and Coldstream. Surrounded by scenic countryside, Birgham is a vibrant local community with numerous clubs and activities as well as a community owned village pub, while its other key attraction is close proximity to the River Tweed, which attracts anglers and tourists from both sides of the border. Built eight years ago by Steven Lackenby General Builders in Duns, the house is unusual – perhaps even unique in the area – owing to its distinctive Yorkshire stone exterior.
A
Aspen House, Birgham
11
12
WHEN YOU’RE BUYING OR SELLING PROPERT Y . . . IT HAS TO BE BSPC
A
Aspen House, Birgham
The real thing and not merely a layer of decorative cladding, it was the beautiful variegated stonework and overall size of house that caught the attention of present owners Julie and David Marchbank-Smith when they first saw the property six years ago. “It was basically a shell at that time but compared to all the houses we had viewed, this one stood out,” says David. “We were also attracted by the internal space it offered - and the setting, which includes a lovely circular river walk as well as views over the fields to the Lammermuir Hills and Hume Castle.”
Featured Property Aspen House, Birgham, TD12 4NF
Offers Over £395,000 • Details on: Page 10
Having bought the house, David and Julie were able to finish the interior to their own specification, which centred on quality – most notably in the bespoke fitted kitchen handcrafted by Tom Butler Furniture in Kelso but also in wood flooring paired with oil-fired under -floor heating throughout the ground floor.
Smaller details, such as painted wood panelling to half-height in the bathrooms and deep skirtings, add to the interior’s character and country house ambiance, while the styling and decor give it a fresh contemporary look. More recently, they have added an attached garage and landscaped the garden. The property also has an access ramp at the back door and wide doorways suitable for wheelchair use.
BSPC FEATURED PROPERTY • WWW.BSPC.CO.UK
“We were also attracted by the internal space it offered - and the setting, which includes a lovely circular river walk as well as views over the fields to the Lammermuir Hills and Hume Castle” Substantial in size, Aspen House has a welcoming reception hall leading to a 22ft sitting room with windows on three sides and patio doors to the rear garden, dual aspect open-plan family/dining/kitchen, also with patio doors to the rear, and a ground floor double bedroom with an en suite shower room that can also be accessed from the reception hall. Upstairs – the hardwood staircase being another eye-catching feature – is a spacious landing area, off which are four further double bedrooms – master with French doors to a decorative Paris-style balcony, dressing room and en suite shower room; one with en suite bathroom; one with en suite shower room; and one adjacent to another shower room – this bedroom currently used as an upstairs TV/music room – also has French doors to a rear -facing Paris balcony overlooking the garden and beyond. The undoubted hub of this home is the open-plan family/dining/kitchen, which is partly floored in wood, while the kitchen area is tiled and fitted on three sides with hand-built Shaker-style units topped with light coloured granite work surfaces and incorporating integrated appliances (including an induction hob) and Belfast sink.
Outside, the property’s gated access opens into a sizeable graveled parking space that includes a paved seating area and access to the garage. The enclosed garden at the rear backs onto picturesque open countryside and has two paved patio areas next to the house, beyond which is lawn interspersed by easily maintained shrub/flower beds. There is also a garden shed. Immaculately presented both inside and out, Aspen House is a delightful and deceptively spacious modern family home in a very desirable village location only five minutes drive from Kelso and Coldstream and within easy reach of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Viewing this one is a must.
Specification, Interior Style & Amazing Views
13