BSPC FEATURED PROPERTY • WWW.BSPC.CO.UK
11
Can a cottage have it all? One in the Sunnyhill hamlet of Hawick arguably ticks most boxes
Built over 200 years ago, Molly and John Mitchell’s much loved home for the last 30 years is such a quintessential country cottage its name says it all: The Cottage. But while it enjoys an elevated and therefore private offroad setting with beautiful views and extensive garden grounds, this south -facing character home has all the advantages of a country cottage, yet is conveniently located in the Sunnyhill area on the edge of Hawick, from where it’s only a short walk through nearby Wilton Park to the town’s many amenities “Having always wanted a cottage, it was undoubtedly a case of love at first sight when we found this one,” recalls Molly. “The doves were cooing as we walked up the steps and it all just came together – the privacy, the setting away from the road and close to the park, and of course the actual cottage”.
C
The Cottage, Dean Road, Hawick
12
WHEN YOU’RE BUYING OR SELLING PROPERT Y . . . IT HAS TO BE BSPC
BSPC FEATURED PROPERTY • WWW.BSPC.CO.UK
“Having always
C
wanted a cottage, it
The Cottage, Dean Road, Hawick
In the ensuing years the Mitchells have not only extended the south-facing property to create a spacious open-plan dining kitchen with French doors to the garden and added a conservatory at the side, they have also rewired, installed mains gas central heating and multi-fuel stoves in both the living room and the conservatory, which leads off the living room and has access to the garden. More recently, Molly and John have added a deck and patio/barbecue area adjacent to the conservatory, created a driveway at the bottom of the garden – and completely re-fitted the kitchen.
13
was undoubtedly a case of love at first sight when we found this one,” recalls Molly.
Featured Property The Cottage, Dean Road, Hawick, TD9 7HU
“The doves were cooing
Offers Around £185,000 • Details on: Page 34
as we walked up the All of these improvements have been undertaken with care to ensure the property’s original features remain intact – and the result is a home that now combines immense charm and the aesthetic appeal of random white painted stone walls, with modern fixtures and fittings that make it eminently comfortable and easy to live in as well as characterful.
The cottage is entered via the original storm porch, which has leaded glass panels and practical additions such as shelving and hooks for coats and outdoor shoes.
Off the other side of the hall is a similarly spacious master bedroom, where the original fireplace space now provides a quirky display area against the white painted stone wall.
Inside, an attractively tiled hallway leads to a spacious front-facing living room with multi-fuel stove and a door into the adjoining conservatory.
Two steps at the end of the hall open into what is undisputedly the hub of this home, a near 30ft open-plan kitchen/dining area with tiled flooring, two windows overlooking the rear garden and French door garden access at the dining area end of the room. The kitchen work area is fitted with bespoke solid oak units, tiled splashbacks and integrated appliances and has access to an adjoining utilitythere is also a good-sized pantry/cupboard. A rear hall off the kitchen leads to this home’s more modern conveniences – a three-piece bathroom with a Jacuzzi spa bath, and next door, a fully tiled contemporary wet room-style shower facility. A partially open-tread staircase from the hall leads up to two further double bedrooms located on either side of the landing, which has a storage cupboard. Both bedrooms have traditional sloping exposed beam ceilings and windows to the rear – one also has a dormer window to the front, which provides beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
steps and it all just came together – the privacy, the setting away from the road and close to the park, and of course the actual cottage”.
The cottage’s setting gives it an elevated south-facing front garden that has been landscaped and planted in sections leading to a paved seating area next to the entrance, in addition there is private parking for two cars at the front. The side garden around the conservatory incorporates a delightful patio and decked area – an ideal outdoor dining/entertaining space during the summer months. At the rear, terraced lawns are sheltered by adjoining woodland, which enhances the property’s privacy – the top two sections include a drying green, vegetable plot and fruit trees, with scope for further development if required. The property also has a workshop (with electricity) and additional sheds/outhouses. Beautifully presented inside and out, this is a cottage that will have widespread appeal owing to its size and layout, character features and a location that offers the very best of town and country living.
Character & Setting