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Style, space and low running costs are the hallmarks of a recently completed villa near Gordon
Completed in January this year, Balerno is one of two, mirror-image villas - linked only by their carports but otherwise detached – located within a small semi-rural hamlet close to the village of Gordon, a setting that provides easy access to the A68 and Borders Railway for commuting to Edinburgh. The property is also within the catchment area for Earlston High School – and in fact, the school bus stops right outside the house.
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Balerno, East Mains, Gordon
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WHEN YOU’RE BUYING OR SELLING PROPERT Y . . . IT HAS TO BE BSPC
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Balerno, East Mains, Gordon
Architect designed with significant input from present owners, David Driver and his wife Anita, this home was constructed with the focus on energy efficiency – and finished internally with a specification that far exceeds present day expectations - under-floor heating on both the ground and first floors, luxurious fully tiled bath and shower rooms, visually striking all-white contemporary kitchen with quartz work surfaces, high-gloss cabinetry and integrated appliances, and porcelain tiled flooring throughout the ground floor, which makes a practical choice combined with under-floor heating, while also enhancing visual continuity.
Featured Property Balerno, East Mains, Gordon, TD3 6JU
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Best of all, this home’s appeal incorporates practical, money-saving features to keep fuel bills as low as possible, while maximising the comfort and pleasure of living in a beautiful environment with stunning views over the surrounding countryside.
“With an impressive 6Kw output and integral convection system, it means the under-floor heating seldom goes above 15-degrees – if it is on at all. As a result, the total energy bill is on target to meet its £600 a year forecast.”
“Enhanced insulation is a key feature” says David, “but equally important is the double-sided Norwegian log burner that serves the two adjoining reception rooms.”
The interior highlights superb use of space and natural light, which coupled with fresh neutral decoration, enhances the sensation.
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“Enhanced insulation is a key feature” says David, “but equally important is the double-sided Norwegian log burner that serves the two adjoining reception rooms. With an An attractive vestibule with cloakroom off to one side, continues into the L-shaped reception hall, off which is a utility, 22ft dining kitchen with three roof lights over the dining area and sliding doors into a formal dining room partially open-plan to a 20ft living room with bay window to the front – a combined space of more than 38ft with the double-sided Norwegian log burner and inset log store providing the focal point in both. The kitchen is outstanding, a vision in white incorporating high-gloss wall and base units, breakfast bar, fully integrated appliances and sophisticated base lighting that makes the kitchen units appear to be floating above the floor. Large enough for formal entertaining as well as everyday family use, the adjacent dining area has an ethereal light quality positioned below three large Velux roof lights. Upstairs, the master bedroom has two sets of built -in wardrobes and fully tiled en suite shower room, while bedrooms two and three are similarly spacious doubles with fitted wardrobes. The fourth bedroom is also double size and could equally be a study or office, its key feature being a deeply recessed dormer window.
impressive 6Kw output and integral convection system, it means the under-floor heating seldom goes above 15 degrees - if it is on at all”
Last but not least, the 13ft family bathroom is much larger than the norm – fully tiled and luxuriously appointed, it has a freestanding bath, separate shower and vanity storage. The house has a large graveled driveway to the front with plenty of space for parking outside or beneath the open-fronted carport. At the rear of the house, the sizeable garden is enclosed and mainly laid to lawn – a young garden with considerable scope and space for a gardener or family to give free reign to their imagination. Nearby, Gordon is a popular village where local amenities include a pub, village store, village hall, church, primary school and nursery, while Earlston and Kelso offer a wider range of facilities. As a new house in pristine condition throughout, this family home offers an easy lifestyle in a delightfully scenic semi-rural setting.