Page 10 BSPC FEATURE PROPERTY

Abundant space inside and out and great views are the

Having previously designed and built ahouse, when Carolyn and Simon Hemsleydecided they would like to do it again – thistime with the benefit of experience – theyknew exactly what they wanted.

And in 2010, when a one-acre plot became available inthe countryside near Lauder, it was the catalyst for theirpresent home, a detached four bedroom property withan integral double garage.

While the site and beautiful far-reaching views over thesurrounding countryside to the Lammermuir hills wasa major influence on the position and orientation ofthe house, another factor influenced the size and layout– the couple’s three Labrador dogs!

“When we designed our previous house we only hadone dog and when it later went up to three the firstthing we knew we needed was a much bigger utility,”Carolyn explains.

They also designed the layout in such a way that thedogs can access the main living areas on the groundfloor, but not the hall. “Which means the upstairsbedrooms can remain a dog-free zone,” she adds.

The Hemsleys employed an architectural technician todraw up the plans for the house, which includes anotheritem on their initial wish list – two ground floor toilets.“One is a proper cloakroom off the hall - what we call the‘posh loo’,” reveals Carolyn. “The ‘gardener’s loo’ is offthe utility, which makes it accessible straight from thegarden without trailing mud through the house.”

Space and light are dominant features throughout thishome. The ground floor has a formal living room withfeature stone fireplace and open fire and sliding doorsopening on to the patio outside. With windows on threesides, it’s a particularly bright room with doors into boththe hall and formal dining room, from which doubledoors lead into an attractive conservatory.

The dining room also has access to the diningkitchen, a sizeable room fitted with light wood-effectwall and base units, laminate worktops, and astriking black dual-fuel Rangemaster cooker withmatching splashback and overhead extractor.

“I had always wanted one of these, so it was also onmy wish list,” Carolyn says. Also included in the saleis the dishwasher and freestanding fridge freezer.

Next to the kitchen, the utility is similarly wellequipped and has direct access to the huge doublegarage, which has garden access at the back inaddition to the two front garage doors.

BSPC FEATURE PROPERTY Page 11

hallmarks of a dog-friendly modern house near Lauder

Upstairs are four double-size bedrooms – the 21ft masterbedroom has fitted wardrobes and a dressing area, plusa fully tiled en suite shower room with a double sizecorner shower – and a half-tiled bathroom with overheadshower (fully tiled around bath/shower area).

Two other bedrooms also have mirror-fronted fittedwardrobes.

The garden is large and fully enclosed, making it ideal forchildren and pets. There is also a dog run, greenhouseand driveway with plenty of parking space.

One of the added benefits of this scenic location is itsclose proximity to Lauder and easy access to Edinburghvia the city bypass, while the nearby village of Oxton(two miles) has a local shop and primary school.

North Views is an exceptionally spaciousand well -designed family home in one ofthe Borders’ most commutable areas – acombination not always easy to find.

North Views, Bowerhouse,Lauder, TD2 6PQ

Guide Price £395,000

Details on page 8