Kirsty Archer was introduced to Tweediehall, her three-storey country home as "a haven near Strathaven." She says: "Someone had done a feature on it before we bought it and that's how they described it – and they were right, it is a haven."
Tweediehall, a traditional blonde sandstone detached house that was built in 1880, is indeed an idyllic place.
Surrounded by mature trees and a garden of established shrubs, it is the kind of country home that regularly graces the pages of glossy property magazines.
Kirsty bought the property in 2006 and, after half a year of renovation and restoration, moved in.
"It was an intense period – we did all the restoration in six months. The house was completely refurbished – we didn't live in it at the time, we stayed with family instead, but it was worth it," she says.
Tweediehall has also undergone a programme of preservation including damp-proofing, rot treatment and a roof renovation. All the sash and case windows have been renovated and the central heating system upgraded.
Kirsty did not just tackle the big jobs but also the details, such as the wrought ironmongery around the house. Tweediehall got new bathrooms, as well as a new German kitchen.
One of Kirsty's most cherished aspects of the house is the hallway, with its series of archways, intricate balustrades and neutral decor.
"It's hard to pick a favourite as I like all of it, but what I really like is the hallway," says Kirsty. "It's got a lovely, big, wide staircase and a wrought iron bannister. The archways make it look as if the house has an east and a west wing.
"There is also a half-landing and off it there is a sun room with original stained glass. On one of the panels there are the initials of the man who built the house and on the other the date it was built: 1880 – a little bit of history."
Kirsty also says that she likes the "squareness of the rooms" and the traditional features such as the intricate cornicework.
The house is a well-proportioned property, which includes a master bedroom with an en-suite shower room and dressing room, as well as four further bedrooms and a children's playroom. The property also has a spacious living room, a separate dining room and a garden room.
The decor throughout is neutral, but with a deluxe twist. Details include traditional fireplaces and original cornicework, as well as patterned wallpaper.
"I've tried to be as sympathetic as possible when decorating this house," says Kirsty. "I think wallpaper is a great way of keeping the house up to date, without having to be too bold with your choices. I've used big patterns just to bring an interesting aspect to different rooms."
The garden is another handsome part of this house.
"The previous owners were very good gardeners," adds Kirsty, pointing out the level of seclusion. "They'd done a lot of work to the garden so now it just really needs maintained. I love the fact that the house is surrounded by mature trees. There's a copper beech tree in the front garden and it changes colour several times a year, which is really beautiful.
"This place would be a fantastic house for a family," adds Kirsty. "It's a very secluded location but it's still only a 10-minute drive from the M74, making it an ideal spot for getting to Glasgow or Edinburgh."
What: A detached blonde sandstone house set within beautiful grounds.
Where: Tweediehall is just outside of Strathaven, in Lanarkshire.
Price: Offers over £825,000.
Contact: Savills on 0141 222 5875.
