THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY Page 9

A house like no other, this early Georgianlodge in Kelso is a period gem

Love at first sight is a phenomenon that alsoextends to houses, sometimes for reasonsthat are not at all obvious – as was thecase with Sarah Murrell when she and herhusband John came to view PinnaclehillLodge one very wet Sunday 20 years ago.

“Back then the interior wasn’t a pretty sight,all pink gloss woodwork and nicotine-stainedArtex,” Sarah recalls.

“The kitchen was advertised as having a‘beamed’ ceiling, which turned out to beexposed rafters that hadn’t been covered byplaster board. And there was no garden – noplants at all, just some really bad grass. But I loved it instantly, and unlike John, was ableto imagine how it could look.”

As an artist, vision comes easily to Sarahand it won her the three bedroomed house.Since then, she and John have completelyrefurbished the interior in keeping with theage and character of the lodge house, whichwas built in the early 1800s and stands atthe entrance to a former mansion house atPinnaclehill.

More dramatic still, the Murrells have created the most spectacular maturegardens, complete with organic vegetablegarden, woodland, hideaway seating areaand a stream that feeds into a waterfall andpond. Every tree, shrub, plant and pebbledpath has been carefully thought out toprovide interest, colour or a shady retreat.There’s also a timber summerhouse, withdouble doors that open up the whole of thefront – a peaceful retreat with a view thatwould inspire the artist in anyone.

There are two further bedrooms– one currently used by Sarah as anartist’s studio – living room with archedwindows on three sides, bathroom,and a 15ft dining kitchen, which hasbeen re-fitted in farmhouse style withbespoke wooden furniture, Belfast sink and antique taps, beech butcher’s block worktops, gas hob and integral oven. Split stable-styledoors to the larder (which also hasspace for laundry appliances) and to the garden complete the look.

Seldom does a property come alongthat combines so many outstandingfeatures. The early Georgian house is quirky, spacious and has beensympathetically refurbished, and thegardens are bountiful as well as beautifulwith a ready supply of organic homegrown vegetables. An all-round gem.

Pinnaclehill LodgeKelsoOffers Over £225,000

Details on page 33

As it is now, it would be very difficult NOT to fall madly in love with thisproperty. The secluded setting gives thefeeling of being in the country miles fromanywhere, when in fact Kelso’s cobbledtown centre is only a ten-minute walkthrough the park.

An immediate feature is the archedwindows and unusual angled walls andSarah and John have gone to greatlengths to maintain the period look of theinterior. “There were only two originalbarn-style planked doors here but wehad more hand-made to make them allthe same,” Sarah adds. The fireplace inthe living room is reclaimed and camefrom a mansion house in the Grange inEdinburgh – now the timber surroundand decorative tiled inset houses aLiving Flame gas fire.

The layout includes a hall, spaciousmain bedroom with two arched windowson either side (both fitted with shutters)and space for freestanding furniture.