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SDesigned and built just eight years ago for present owners Brian and Susan Mundell,Sevenoaks is a substantial country house two miles from Kelso that looks much older,owing to its size and Georgian-style windows and architectural details, the mostnotable being the covered entrance portico.

In fact, everything about this one-off architect-designed family home is substantial,from its one-acre garden setting to over-sized rooms and equally over-sized attachedtriple garage. But although from the outside it appears a big, square property thatwould lead you to believe the rooms inside echo the box-like shape, surprisingly, theinterior features lots of curves, including walls, which required many of the internalfittings - plaster cornicing (fitted throughout, not merely in the posh rooms), solid oakflooring, oak doors, architraves and skirting, to be custom-made.

Sevenoaks, Heiton

Big, bold and totally luxurious, Sevenoaksis a contemporary take on a Georgian-stylecountry house near Kelso

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SSevenoaks, Heiton

“I saw this in a private home and was advised bythe owner that it came from Prague,” she reveals.“The company agreed to make me one but whenit arrived it was in its component parts and hadto be assembled – a massive challenge. Havingsuccessfully accomplished that, we had failed toconsider the 82kg weight factor and ended uphaving to install a winch in the loft to get it in place.The electrician used to say it created a powersurge in Kelso whenever we switched it on!”

“We wanted to move up to Scotland to live in oraround Kelso because the area is beautiful and haslots of wildlife and sporting activities,”says Susan.“Having found this plot of land and been advisedthat planners were keen to see large country-stylehouses being built, we opted for a design thatborrows from Georgian symmetry and simplicity.”

Sevenoaks’ other selling point is a standardof specification seldom seen these days – farexceeding high, the interior finish is totally luxuriousand includes numerous bespoke features thatreveal the lengths the present owners went to increating a home that is truly unique. The windows,for instance, are larger and lower than standard andhad to be specially made to ensure views werefully visible from inside.

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And having seen a staircase in a magazine thatswept upwards to end with a circular flourishand galleried landing, Susan tracked it all theway to Canada and had one made in solidwhite oak that was then shipped to the UK.

Another indulgence – which is not included inthe sale – is the enormous crystal chandelierabove the stairwell.

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LUXURY

“Having found this

plot of land and been

advised that planners

were keen to see large

country-style houses

being built, we opted

for a design that

borrows from

Georgian symmetry

and simplicity.”

Inside, it’s easy to get so besotted by the sheer quality – of materials and craftsmanship – evident throughoutthis wonderful home that more subtle details get over-shadowed, like the practical flow of accommodationthat includes a second family room and adjoining ensuite bedroom above the garage, giving potential fora granny flat or similar; and a boot room with externalaccess and a secure gun cupboard conveniently situatednext to the utility/laundry. As it is, the accommodationcould also support a Bed and Breakfast business.

The ground floor accommodation comprises impressivereception hall leading to a formal drawing room on oneside (bespoke oak fireplace, marble hearth and open fire)and family room on the other, the latter with access to a south-facing sun lounge. Also off the main hall is a formal dining room, bay-windowed study, utility,cloakroom, boot room – and keeping the best till last, a large kitchen/breakfast room fitted with light oakunits, granite worktops, marble-tiled floor, and a fullcomplement of integrated appliances, including astainless steel range cooker.

Upstairs, off a landing large enough to be functional inother ways around the circular gallery balustrade, arefour very sizeable double bedrooms – all with en suitefacilities and fitted wardrobes, while the principal ensuite also includes a Jacuzzi-style bath and separateshower. An inner hallway continues on to the flattedadditional family room and fifth en suite bedroom abovethe triple garage.

This home is not only luxurious its energy efficient design inside and outside affords lowmaintenance and high levels of natural light. “It’s a warm and very lovely house to live in,”says Susan. “And while it has stunning views – Floors Castle can be seen from one of theupstairs bedrooms – and a tranquil rural setting, it’s close to the racecourse, RoxburghChampionship Golf Course and all the other amenities just two miles away in Kelso.”

Outside, the established gardens include a gravel driveway with plenty of parking space andaccess to the garages. Totally enclosed by beech hedging and with mature trees and shrubsproviding shady areas out of the sun, the gardens also include expansive lawns – and anadjacent paddock with planning permission for one house, which may be available byseparate negotiation.

Presented in immaculate condition throughout – to all intents a turnkey home – Sevenoaksis a remarkable family home in every respect.