W IN P T R E O R P S E A R L TY E
THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
A traditional Victorian villa in Selkirk with a view guaranteed to thrill If Marie Clarke could take her home with her when she moves she would do it in a heartbeat, which reveals how much she loves the detached Victorian villa in Selkirk she and her husband Martin bought in 1999, a week prior to the annual Selkirk Common Riding. “We had moved to the Borders from Liverpool and were renting a farm cottage while we looked for a house to buy,” recalls Marie. “We saw this by chance and when we went to see it I loved it instantly. It’s a grand house but on a small scale – and the view across Selkirk to the countryside and hills beyond are absolutely stunning.” The quiet cul-de-sac location also ticks the box for convenience, being only a few minutes walk to the centre of town. Thought to date from the late 1890s, the house was built by a local jeweller for his son. Unlike neighbouring houses, this one has a side entrance and a very different layout. It also has most of the original period features, which include ornate plasterwork, picture rails, deep skirtings panelled windows and doors, fireplaces, natural wood finishes and a fabulous sweeping staircase – even four brass bell pulls to summon the maid, albeit only one still works.
Gowanlea 8 Hillside Terrace, Selkirk Asking Price £219,000 Details on page 45
“Clearly the utmost care was taken to ensure every detail was perfect as the quality shines out to this day,” says Marie. Marie and Martin have since installed a new bespoke kitchen – crafted in wood by a local Borders firm – and a new shower room, both of which perfectly complement the existing interior. In terms of layout, this property is larger than it looks, with a hall, drawing room, dining/family room, home office/bedroom four, kitchen, utility and cloakroom. Upstairs are three spacious bedrooms and a refitted bathroom with a corner shower. And from every front window there are mesmerising views. The period details are such that this house has a real sense of character. The drawing room has a wood panelled bay window that maximises a view that stretches across the front garden and town to open countryside in the distance. It also has its own focal point in the form of an open fire within a marble fireplace with Art Nouveau tiled surround. Also front-facing, the dining/family room has an open fire and original fireplace, this time with a natural wood surround that echoes the stripped wood floor and panelled window. Fitted with bespoke wall and base units and solid Canadian maple worktops, the kitchen is both stylish and practical, with a slot-in gas cooker, terracotta tiled floor, coordinated tiled splashbacks and abundant storage, while the utility provides space and plumbing for laundry appliances.
Being Victorian, the upstairs accommodation incorporates dormer windows and partly combed ceilings. The view, however, is the dominant feature in bedrooms one and two, which are both front facing double rooms, while the remaining bedroom is situated at the rear of the house. The re-fitted bathroom has a Velux window for extra light and is beautifully finished with a tiled floor and tiled walls to dado level. A corner shower replaces the original bath, although there is space for a bath to be reinstated if preferred. Outside, the property has a fully enclosed and level front garden with a paved patio and well-stocked plant borders, in addition to the attractively designed rear garden. Facing west, the house is a suntrap in summer and the gardens are designed to make the most of this orientation. Gowanlea is a lovely house and an ideal family home that is now being marketed at £219,000 compared to the pre-sale price of £230,000, a saving of £11,000.
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