Page 10 BSPC FEATURE PROPERTY

The couple installed gas central heating, renewed allthe internal doors and facings, re-fitted the bathroom to include a bath and separate shower, fitted a newShaker-style fitted kitchen with integrated appliances,improved the insulation and fitted double-glazed windowsand transformed an old and unusable conservatory intoa utility, which has an internal window to the kitchen.

The accommodation comprises entrance hall andstaircase off which is a front-facing living room on oneside and 17ft dining kitchen on the other side.

Both rooms have a second door opening into a rearhall that leads to the utility room and bathroom.

Off the first floor landing, which has built-in storageand a Velux window, are three double bedrooms– the largest of the three with an original cast ironfireplace, en suite WC and washbasin, and front-facing dormer window overlooking the garden andcountryside beyond.

Old meets new in style for this beautifullyDating from 1890, this former end terracedfarm worker’s cottage epitomises the perfectfusion of a traditional exterior and thoroughlymodern interior, a combination preferred by the vast majority house buyers.

However, the cottage looked very differenta year ago, when present owners JaneHuchinson and her husband John first saw it.

“It was certainly not very appealing at that point,”says Jane, “but I loved it instantly, largely because itis double-fronted and still looked pretty on the outside.Internally was a different matter as it needed everythingdoing-but it was in the right place for our son, whowas going to agricultural college, and I was up for thechallenge and although John was less enthusiasticinitially, he did come round.”

Effectively, this is a new house inside the existing redsandstone walls. Everything is either new or has beenrestored to create an exceptionally desirable, warm andcomfortable three bedroomed family home in move-incondition.

BSPC FEATURE PROPERTY Page 11

restored former farm cottage in Earlston

3 Townfarm Cottages,

Earlston, TD4 6HY

Offers Around £185,000

Details on page 39

Beautifully presented throughout with new floorcoveringsand neutral colour scheme, this home has been finishedto a very high specification without compromising itscharacter and period features.

The living room has a black cast iron open fireplaceas the focal point, with a shelved display recess on thesame wall; and the dining kitchen has a stone-tiledfloor, stylish white units with white tiled splashbacksand under-unit lighting, integral dishwasher and range-style gas cooker and American-style fridge freezer(some appliances available separately by negotiation).

Having completely upgraded the house, Jane and Johnturned their attention to the garden, which has beenlandscaped to create a very pretty paved patio/seatingarea at the front, while a pebbled path leads round theside of the cottage to a small courtyard area at the backwhere there is also an external store/outhouse.

Location-wise, this property also ticks all the boxes.Occupying a very peaceful rural setting, it’s alsoconveniently close to the recently completed and highlyregarded Earlston High School and within walkingdistance of the town’s shops and many other amenities– which include the new Earlston circular Jubilee Walk.

Number 3 Townfarm Cottages has made the transitionto a very desirable family home that is ready to moveinto without having to even think about the decoratingand DIY that normally goes hand-in-hand with a housemove. Viewing, as they say, is essential for this one.