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BSPC FEATURE PROPERTY
A barn re-born - an outstanding conversion Dating back to the 1630s when Braeside Barn in the picturesque village of Midlem was just that, a barn and cow byre with an upper level that likely housed the family, the building remained largely unchanged until the 20th Century when it became a potter’s studio for an artist who lived in the cottage next door. In 2004 the barn and the cottage were sold separately, the barn to present owners Clive and Carol Berry, who fell in love with the village and the building’s hilltop setting and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside – and happily, were looking for a build project for Clive, a joiner/builder to trade. “When we bought it the byre was still very basic while the upper level had been partially turned into a flat,” Carol explains. “We started again completely from scratch retaining only the original beams and stonework and taking great care to remain faithful to the building’s original construction using lime mortar, for example.”
Two years later the couple achieved their goal of turning a dilapidated but still beautiful stone building into a four/five bedroomed character family home that spans the centuries in style. The accommodation is over two levels – off the ground floor reception hall is a 20ft long oak fitted dining kitchen, utility, and a rear-facing garden room (or fifth bedroom as it is adjacent to a shower room, and a few steps down, a spacious living room with a wood-burning stove and large arched feature window.
Upstairs, the carpeted landing incorporates a sitting/reading area and leads to four double bedrooms – one with dressing area, built-in wardrobes and an en suite shower room – and family bathroom (bath and separate shower). Much more than the sum of its parts, this unique home has many outstanding features that in addition to be aesthetically pleasing also pay homage to the building’s character and history – the exposed stone wall and windows in the living room, one of which has an embedded wooden beam and oak sill.
BSPC FEATURE PROPERTY
in the picturesque village of Midlem Several bedrooms also have exposed stone feature walls and beams; and the country-style kitchen is fitted with oak units (including an island), integrated appliances (double oven, induction hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher) and Italian granite worktops. A neutral palette and focus on natural materials (the oak flooring in the living room, oak finishes, and large-scale marble-effect ceramic floor tiles that extend throughout the hall and dining kitchen) perfectly complement an interior that is modern yet also timelessly classic. The garden is equally stunning, largely owing to its setting and glorious views of the countryside and distant Cheviot Hills, which steals the limelight away from other notable features, such as dry-stane walls, large lawn, specimen trees, shrubs and border planting. The property also includes two garden sheds, a log store, and off-road parking for several vehicles. Midlem is a small but very active rural community with a well-used and refurbished village hall and a large village green that includes a children’s play area. The primary school is two miles away in Lilliesleaf, while secondary schools are in Selkirk or Earlston – and schoolchildren are all are transported by school buses. The village is also convenient for access to the A68 to Edinburgh and the new Borders railway scheduled to start operating in 2015.
Braeside Barn is a one-off property that has made a remarkable transition to become a simply delightful and very comfortable forever family home. This one is must-see.
Braeside Barn, Midlem, TD7 4QD Offers Over £395,000
Details on page 9
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