THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
Page 15
A unique upper conversion in Darnick that houses plenty of surprises
Conversions come in all shapes and sizes, however few, if any, are as imaginatively conceived as Shaston, which occupies the upper floor of a detached villa in the conservation village of Darnick, near Melrose, believed to be one of the village’s earliest houses. Shaston’s current owners, David and Rosie Jones, bought the property six years ago after a chance meeting with Enid Cranston, an interior designer with Michael Vee Design in Melrose, revealed Enid was thinking of selling her own home. “Knowing Enid and knowing how wonderful her home was, it was perfect timing for us,” says Rosie. “Having renovated a seven bedroomed house in Melrose, we were looking to downsize but wanted something quirky and unusual that was also stylish – and Shaston fitted the bill perfectly.” This delightful home’s layout and interior are so original they set a new precedence – most notable of which is an amazing upper-level Gothic-style bespoke conservatory and balcony fronted by a decorative wrought iron balustrade, both of which offer fabulous views to the Eildon Hills.
Like everything about this property, there is a story to tell. “Enid acquired the wrought iron balustrade first, which came from a house in London’s Notting Hill, and Michael Vee designed the conservatory, which was locally made, around it,” explains Rosie. Beneath the conservatory, which David and Rosie use as a dining room, is another surprise: a garden room accessed externally by bi-fold doors that open fully to connect it to the garden. Inside, this magical room has a terracotta tiled floor and a quite stunning Italianate wall mural. Presently used as a room for entertaining or simply being at one with nature, it would also make a wonderful studio for an artist. Essentially, this is a home of two parts, given that the second bedroom, bathroom and utility can only be accessed through a secret door that purports to be a bookcase – and indeed, one half of it is a genuine bookcase – while the up-front accommodation comprises sitting room with doors into the conservatory dining room, beautifully fitted galley-style kitchen, and principal double bedroom that has a window at either end of the room and includes hand-made wardrobes built around a French armoire.
Since buying the property, David and Rosie have not changed a single thing internally, although Rosie has completely transformed the garden in keeping with the style of the house, which has a distinctly Italian look and feel. The result is a beautiful Mediterranean-style courtyard garden that looks after itself and is there simply to be enjoyed to the full, with lime trees, shrubs and perennials and a water fountain. This home has wow factor at every turn. The second bedroom, which the previous owner used as a dining room, has a period fireplace; the sitting room has a bespoke corner cupboard that can conceal the television as required - and another beautiful fireplace, this one with a cast iron grate, antique pine mantel and granite hearth housing an inset Living Flame fire.
The kitchen includes hand-made units, a Provencal glass wall cupboard and wooden work surfaces and includes the fridge freezer, built-in microwave, hob, oven and dishwasher. Everything about this immaculate property says quality, from the designer wallpapers and interior design, to the fixtures and fittings. Shaston is quite simply unique and likely to be best appreciated by someone who, like Rosie and David, aspires to a home that takes style to a new level.
The bathroom is partially tiled and includes a hinged screen made up of two panels taken from the armoire in the bedroom that were replaced with glass.
Shaston, Abbotsford Road, Darnick, TD6 9AH
Guide Price £199,950 Details on page 38