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BSPC FEATURE PROPERTY
Abundant space inside and out and great views are the Having previously designed and built a house, when Carolyn and Simon Hemsley decided they would like to do it again – this time with the benefit of experience – they knew exactly what they wanted. And in 2010, when a one-acre plot became available in the countryside near Lauder, it was the catalyst for their present home, a detached four bedroom property with an integral double garage. While the site and beautiful far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside to the Lammermuir hills was a major influence on the position and orientation of the house, another factor influenced the size and layout – the couple’s three Labrador dogs! “When we designed our previous house we only had one dog and when it later went up to three the first thing we knew we needed was a much bigger utility,” Carolyn explains. They also designed the layout in such a way that the dogs can access the main living areas on the ground floor, but not the hall. “Which means the upstairs bedrooms can remain a dog-free zone,” she adds.
The Hemsleys employed an architectural technician to draw up the plans for the house, which includes another item on their initial wish list – two ground floor toilets. “One is a proper cloakroom off the hall - what we call the ‘posh loo’,” reveals Carolyn. “The ‘gardener’s loo’ is off the utility, which makes it accessible straight from the garden without trailing mud through the house.” Space and light are dominant features throughout this home. The ground floor has a formal living room with feature stone fireplace and open fire and sliding doors opening on to the patio outside. With windows on three sides, it’s a particularly bright room with doors into both the hall and formal dining room, from which double doors lead into an attractive conservatory.
The dining room also has access to the dining kitchen, a sizeable room fitted with light wood-effect wall and base units, laminate worktops, and a striking black dual-fuel Rangemaster cooker with matching splashback and overhead extractor. “I had always wanted one of these, so it was also on my wish list,” Carolyn says. Also included in the sale is the dishwasher and freestanding fridge freezer. Next to the kitchen, the utility is similarly well equipped and has direct access to the huge double garage, which has garden access at the back in addition to the two front garage doors.
BSPC FEATURE PROPERTY
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hallmarks of a dog-friendly modern house near Lauder Upstairs are four double-size bedrooms – the 21ft master bedroom has fitted wardrobes and a dressing area, plus a fully tiled en suite shower room with a double size corner shower – and a half-tiled bathroom with overhead shower (fully tiled around bath/shower area). Two other bedrooms also have mirror-fronted fitted wardrobes. The garden is large and fully enclosed, making it ideal for children and pets. There is also a dog run, greenhouse and driveway with plenty of parking space. One of the added benefits of this scenic location is its close proximity to Lauder and easy access to Edinburgh via the city bypass, while the nearby village of Oxton (two miles) has a local shop and primary school.
North Views is an exceptionally spacious and well -designed family home in one of the Borders’ most commutable areas – a combination not always easy to find. North Views, Bowerhouse, Lauder, TD2 6PQ Guide Price £395,000 Details on page 8