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A unique mill conversion that merges old and new to perfection – in an idyllic country-style setting within the centre of Selkirk A country house in the middle of a town centre might sound like a misnomer, but truthfully there is no better or more accurate way to describe Inkle House, a characterful C-listed former mill building in an idyllic leafy setting so well tucked away in the centre of Selkirk that many local people are unaware it exists.
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Shown on maps as far back as the 17th century, it’s one of the oldest mill buildings in the town and has a fascinating history – its name pertaining to the mill’s original manufacture of inkles, long strips of linen that were made and dried within the building.
Inkle House, Selkirk
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WHEN YOU’RE BUYING OR SELLING PROPERT Y . . . IT HAS TO BE BSPC
Inkle House, Selkirk Converted in recent years, Inkle House is a deceptively spacious three-storey/four bedroomed family home – one that offers a very rare combination of location, character, history and charm in addition to a contemporary interior and layout that caters for 21st century lifestyles. Margaret Sweetnam and her husband Richard found the property 10 years ago when they were looking to relocate from Edinburgh to the Borders, somewhere in the country that was within commuting distance yet provided the rural setting they wanted for their children. “This house ticked every box, although ironically it’s in the very centre of Selkirk!” says Margaret. “We fell in love with the house at first sight. It had and still has a very special atmosphere, while the setting is completely private yet also in the middle of everything – something we came to appreciate more and more as our three sons got older.”
Featured Property Inkle House, Selkirk, TD7 4LR Price: Offers Over £260,000 Details on: Page 27
Although the previous owners had undertaken a meticulous conversion to create a stylish and very contemporary home, Margaret and Richard have added their own mark. The couple have improved it further by creating a fourth bedroom – and what Margaret calls her ‘shoffice’, a delightful shed/summerhouse in the garden that has electricity and wi-fi and makes an enchanting office space during the summer months.
stylish As with all old buildings Inkle House has its share of quirky features, the most notable being an external stone staircase that provides access directly into what is now the master bedroom – effectively a lovely little balcony with a difference. The accommodation is flexible, deceptively spacious and also particularly well laid out to incorporate open-plan living areas yet still retain private spaces.
quirky
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“ Everything about this house is special,” says Margaret, “and the location is not only close to local amenities, it’s also well placed for access to Edinburgh via the A7 –
On one side of the ground floor entrance hall is a superb 30ft open-plan living/dining room with French doors to the garden, while on the other side is a 15ft dining kitchen leading to a cloakroom, utility and playroom, the latter a lovely space with a door to the garden that could also be a study.
and will be within easy
A circular tower accessed from both the living area and outside (usefully, there are three entrances to this unique home, excluding two sets of French doors) reveals a circular staircase to the two floors above. The first has a beautiful master bedroom with a fabulous en suite bathroom with glass wall tiled surrounds and imaginative use of stainless steel and mirrored finishes, separate fitted dressing room – and door to the ‘balcony’ cum external stone staircase. Bedroom two is also on this level. On the floor above are two further double bedrooms and family bathroom.
the Borders Railway
The interior decor and specification are contemporary and attractive but also functional – this is a comfortable as well as stylish family home that works well on all levels, its great age and character complemented by wood floors, under-floor heating and double glazing.
reach of the new stations at Galashiels and Tweedbank when
gets underway”.
The super-sized open-plan living area incorporates a dining space and sitting room with wall-mounted television and recessed log-effect stove, low-level sash and case windows incorporating window seating and deep sills that highlight the thickness of the walls. Across the hall, the dining kitchen is fitted with clean-cut contemporary units, Minerelle solid surface worktops, integrated double oven and halogen hob – and a remarkable full-height hardwood wall that ingeniously conceals additional storage as well as the access door to the cloakroom. There are also French doors to the garden.
Inkle House
Outside, the property has a pebbled driveway with space for parking and tranquil garden grounds that seem very far from the madding crowd. The Sweetnams have also enhanced the external appearance of their home with a delicate shade of Farrow & Ball green to enhance the building’s beautiful whinstone rubble walls.
Inkle House is special, a one-off family home that transcends time in a perfect merger of old and new to offer an equally perfect merger of town and country lifestyles.
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