THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY Page 9

Blythbank Station Road,Duns, Berwickshire

In Region of £575,000Details on page 6

Perfectly Period – a ‘joined up’ Georgian propertyin Duns with added potential

Built around 1800, Blythbank is an exampleof Georgian architecture at its finest, asubstantial B-listed property in Dunsincorporating all the best known Georgiancharacteristics – chimneys on both sides,large 12-pane sash and case windows withworking shutters, a perfectly symmetricalfront with steps up to a pillastered entranceand front door with a semicircular fanlight,and an interior that has beautifullyproportioned rooms with high ceilings andfocal point fireplaces.

The five bedroomed house, which is locatedclose to the town centre, has a similarlyimpressive setting, standing within secludedgarden grounds extending to around 1.7acres. But there’s more to this property thanyou might imagine.

A single-storey section added in Victoriantimes links the main house with the originalcoach house and stable buildings situated at the rear, both of which have more recentlybeen converted to provide office space(currently three offices and WC) with a self-contained apartment above (fitted kitchen,sitting room, bedroom, bathroom andprivate garden).

And a formal dining room with an archway through to a similarly spaciousmusic/games room with French doors toa paved patio – both rooms with whitemarble fireplaces.

Off an inner hall on the ground floor (wellsupplied with storage cupboards as wellas a door to the rear courtyard) is a lovelysouth-facing room, which could be a fifthbedroom or study - or even a kitchen if anew owner wanted to move the kitchen upfrom the basement - and a small but verypleasant sun room with a tiled floor andglazed door to the garden. Also off theinner hall is a passageway that, in turn,leads to another small hallway with stairsup to the self-contained apartment wing.

Upstairs on the first floor of the mainhouse is a master bedroom with en suitedressing room, three further bedrooms –one containing a cast iron fireplace – andbathroom with a white four-piece suiteand over-bath shower.

This additional space gives Blythbankenormous potential for combining a homeand business, given the property hasbroadband and six telephone lines with15 telephone points.

Original features are here in abundance,including decorative plasterwork, anentrance hall with a tiled floor and stunningPrince of Wales plaster ceiling, and blackand white marble fireplaces. Theaccommodation is over three levels andincludes a basement accessed by stonestairs from the hall, which houses a wellequipped 20ft kitchen with a windowoverlooking the front garden, a wine cellar,utility room with plumbing for laundryappliances, large workshop, and a bootroom.

The elegant entrance and hall leads to abeautiful drawing room with windows ontwo sides, and a black marble fireplacewith tiled surround and hearth (open fire).

The large dining kitchen has freestandingunits and a large central island with solidwood worktops. It also has an oil-firedAga, Belfast sink, and wood panelling todado height and within display alcoves.The other kitchen, which is in the one-bedroomed apartment, also has woodpaneling, in addition to a stripped woodfloor, fitted units, two large shelvedcupboards, Belfast sink, built-in hob andoven, and plumbing for a dishwasherand washing machine.

The mature gardens are a lovely feature,secluded by trees on all sides andincorporating lawns, shrub borders, andstone steps – an old garden that is allthe better for it.

Blythbank is a beautiful period homeclose to all the amenities available innearby Duns, including the new highschool. It’s also within commutingdistance of Edinburgh – 45 miles by roador by train from the mainline station atBerwick-upon-Tweed (15 miles).

If Georgian architecture gets yourvote, this house is a must-see.