THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY Page 13

A traditional family house in Dunswith an enchanting garden

Kirklands is a beautiful period property inEaster Street that will delight anyone whois looking for a traditional family home withclassically proportioned rooms, originalfeatures, lots of space, and a maturegarden.

Built around 1830, this B-listed late Georgianhouse has all the above and more, havingbeen sympathetically upgraded by itspresent owners, Rennie and RosalynGresham, to cater for 21st century lifestyleswithout compromising all the best featuresof a past era, which include beautifulstonework, wood panelling and naturalwood panelled doors and skirting, largewindows with working wooden shutters,and a central cupola that bathes thestaircase in natural light.

“We bought the house almost twenty yearsago and since then have extended both thekitchen and the bathroom,” says Rosalyn.

“The bathroom was fully re-fitted two yearsago and we have also recently rebuilt anadjoining outbuilding in the rear courtyardand turned it into two separate spaces tocreate a utility room and pottingshed/store.”

The dining area, which has a largerectangular roof light, is next to a doubleset of patio doors that open on to adecked area outside.

The bedrooms are large as well as beinglight and airy – two also have originalfireplaces, which although not used atpresent, could be if desired. The masterbedroom overlooks the front and sidegardens and has fitted wardrobes inaddition to a shelved cupboard and all the rooms are large enough tocomfortably accommodate freestandingfurniture.

Last but by no means least, the refittedcontemporary family bathroom haslimestone wall and floor tiles, a wide bathwith overhead power shower, heatedchrome towel rail, and a vanity basin withmatching wall cabinet.

Inside, the accommodation includes a veryattractive entrance hallway, off which are theformal sitting room and dining room. A dooropens into a rear hall, which gives access to a cloakroom, and a family room that ispartially open-plan to a very sizable diningkitchen with French doors to the patio andgarden. Upstairs are four large doublebedrooms, a beautiful re-fitted bathroom,and a home office/single-size fifth bedroom.

“One of the things that initially attracted usto this house is the quality of light,” Rosalynadds. “Where many older houses can bequite dark inside, this one is the exactopposite owing to the size and style of thewindows. And when the sun shines, youcould be mistaken for thinking the lights hadbeen switched on.”

There is something of note in every room.The sitting room, which has large windowsto the front and side, has an attractivefeature fireplace with a painted marblesurround, decorative tiled insert and castiron open fire; the extended dining kitchen isa delight, with painted units on three sides,dishwasher, slot-in cooker with double ovenand built-in overhead extractor, and plentyof space for other appliances such as afridge freezer.

The outbuildings are a bonus and boththe utility and potting shed haveseparate secure entrances. The formermakes a very useful laundry/boiler roomwith space/plumbing for a washingmachine and tumble dryer, while thelatter has a purpose-built dog showerwith a tray and thermostaticallycontrolled shower handset.

The walled gardens are beautiful, verysecluded and private – and completelyescape proof for dogs - with lawns, highhedges, fruit trees, illuminated pathwaysand mature trees and shrubs, a pavedpatio and courtyard area, and decking(off the dining area in the kitchen) whichincludes a pergola feature and currentlyhouses a hot tub that may be availableby separate negotiation.

Together with a detached double garageand pretty wooden summerhouse on acorner of the lawn, this is a garden for allseasons and reasons – and a majorselling point in its own right.

Kirklands Easter Street, Duns

In Region of £370,000

Details on page 11