THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
An unusual, attractive period villa in Kelso with Art Nouveau influences Built in 1910, Norwood is a most attractive stone-built house with an asymmetrical facade and varied roofline typically characteristic of houses built in the late Victorian /early Edwardian era. Inside, however, the design has clearly been influenced by the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements, which is evident in the many original features, including fireplaces, wood-panelled doors, picture and dado rails, decorative cornices, and a beautiful stained and leaded glass window on the staircase. Present owners Rob and Norma Kelly, who bought the property in 1998, have taken it to a new level by upgrading to include reworking the layout to create a large dining kitchen while the original kitchen is now a utility / laundry room. The original sash and case windows have been professionally renovated (as has the stained and leaded feature window on the staircase) and the interior is decorated throughout in a neutral palette. “What impressed us the most when we first saw the house was the offset entrance and the fact that nothing had been taken away and all the original period features were still in place,” says Rob. “In particular, we loved the fireplaces and the Art Nouveau window on the staircase.” In total the accommodation includes a quirky entrance vestibule set at an angle (complete with mosaic tiled floor, dado rail and anaglypta dado in the style of traditional Lincrusta), beautiful L-shaped hallway, front-facing drawing room with a large box bay window, living room (could also be a fourth bedroom or study), dining kitchen and utility. The wood staircase is another beautiful original feature, complemented by the typically organic Art Nouveau stained glass window depicting grapes and a vine.
Off the top landing, which incorporates an attractive arched feature, are three good-sized double bedrooms, one of which is currently used as an office, and a particularly spacious reconfigured bathroom with bespoke fitted storage/basin/mirror, enamel bath and separate corner shower enclosure. The design and detail in this lovely home are outstanding, particularly the unusual room shapes with angled walls and fireplaces, as in the living room where the fireplace has a white-painted wood surround, with green tiled inset and hearth, brass canopy and fender and inset Living Flame gas fire – and in the office/bedroom three upstairs, which overlooks the bowling green and also has an angled Art Nouveau-style fireplace. The main bedroom is perhaps the most impressive of all, with a stunning cast iron fireplace, painted cream to coordinate with the decor. It also has a deep walk-in wardrobe with hanging rail and shelving. What is also exceptional about this house is that all three bedrooms have fireplaces. Bedroom two has a white painted cast iron fireplace, in addition to a walk-in wardrobe and two windows set at an angle.
The dining kitchen is a delight, beautifully refitted with wood-effect wall and base units and contrasting worktops. Taking centre stage is a green Aga, housed in a tiled recess with a high over-mantel. Other features include an island unit with a solid wood worktop, attractive ceramic tiled floor, and a good old-fashioned pantry with shelving, light and a window. The utility houses the washing machine, dishwasher and chest freezer – all included in the sale. Situated next to the bowling green and only a few minutes walk from Kelso’s town centre, Norwood has an attractive low maintenance garden - partly walled and enclosed at the rear to give it a good degree of privacy – which includes a level lawn, well-stocked flower and shrub beds, and three sheds positioned side-by-side, one being in the style of a late Victorian summerhouse. There is also an off -road parking area to the front of the house in addition to road parking.
Norwood Bowmont Street, Kelso Offers Over £295,000 Details on page 18
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