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Big, bold and totally luxurious, Sevenoaks is a contemporary take on a Georgian-style country house near Kelso
Designed and built just eight years ago for present owners Brian and Susan Mundell, Sevenoaks is a substantial country house two miles from Kelso that looks much older, owing to its size and Georgian-style windows and architectural details, the most notable being the covered entrance portico. In fact, everything about this one-off architect-designed family home is substantial, from its one-acre garden setting to over-sized rooms and equally over-sized attached triple garage. But although from the outside it appears a big, square property that would lead you to believe the rooms inside echo the box-like shape, surprisingly, the interior features lots of curves, including walls, which required many of the internal fittings - plaster cornicing (fitted throughout, not merely in the posh rooms), solid oak flooring, oak doors, architraves and skirting, to be custom-made.
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Sevenoaks, Heiton
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Sevenoaks, Heiton “We wanted to move up to Scotland to live in or around Kelso because the area is beautiful and has lots of wildlife and sporting activities,”says Susan. “Having found this plot of land and been advised that planners were keen to see large country-style houses being built, we opted for a design that borrows from Georgian symmetry and simplicity.” Sevenoaks’ other selling point is a standard of specification seldom seen these days – far exceeding high, the interior finish is totally luxurious and includes numerous bespoke features that reveal the lengths the present owners went to in creating a home that is truly unique. The windows, for instance, are larger and lower than standard and had to be specially made to ensure views were fully visible from inside.
Featured Property • Sevenoaks, Ladyrig, Heiton, TD5 8JP
Price: Offers Over £650,000 • Details on: Page 8
And having seen a staircase in a magazine that swept upwards to end with a circular flourish and galleried landing, Susan tracked it all the way to Canada and had one made in solid white oak that was then shipped to the UK. Another indulgence – which is not included in the sale – is the enormous crystal chandelier above the stairwell.
“I saw this in a private home and was advised by the owner that it came from Prague,” she reveals. “The company agreed to make me one but when it arrived it was in its component parts and had to be assembled – a massive challenge. Having successfully accomplished that, we had failed to consider the 82kg weight factor and ended up having to install a winch in the loft to get it in place. The electrician used to say it created a power surge in Kelso whenever we switched it on!”
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“Having found this plot of land and been advised that planners were keen to see large country-style houses being built, we opted for a design that borrows from Inside, it’s easy to get so besotted by the sheer quality – of materials and craftsmanship – evident throughout this wonderful home that more subtle details get over -shadowed, like the practical flow of accommodation that includes a second family room and adjoining en suite bedroom above the garage, giving potential for a granny flat or similar; and a boot room with external access and a secure gun cupboard conveniently situated next to the utility/laundry. As it is, the accommodation could also support a Bed and Breakfast business. The ground floor accommodation comprises impressive reception hall leading to a formal drawing room on one side (bespoke oak fireplace, marble hearth and open fire) and family room on the other, the latter with access to a south-facing sun lounge. Also off the main hall is a formal dining room, bay-windowed study, utility, cloakroom, boot room – and keeping the best till last, a large kitchen/breakfast room fitted with light oak units, granite worktops, marble-tiled floor, and a full complement of integrated appliances, including a stainless steel range cooker.
Georgian symmetry and simplicity.”
This home is not only luxurious its energy efficient design inside and outside affords low maintenance and high levels of natural light. “It’s a warm and very lovely house to live in,” says Susan. “And while it has stunning views – Floors Castle can be seen from one of the upstairs bedrooms – and a tranquil rural setting, it’s close to the racecourse, Roxburgh Championship Golf Course and all the other amenities just two miles away in Kelso.”
LUXURY
Upstairs, off a landing large enough to be functional in other ways around the circular gallery balustrade, are four very sizeable double bedrooms – all with en suite facilities and fitted wardrobes, while the principal en suite also includes a Jacuzzi-style bath and separate shower. An inner hallway continues on to the flatted additional family room and fifth en suite bedroom above the triple garage.
Outside, the established gardens include a gravel driveway with plenty of parking space and access to the garages. Totally enclosed by beech hedging and with mature trees and shrubs providing shady areas out of the sun, the gardens also include expansive lawns – and an adjacent paddock with planning permission for one house, which may be available by separate negotiation. Presented in immaculate condition throughout – to all intents a turnkey home – Sevenoaks is a remarkable family home in every respect.