11BSPC FEATURED PROPERTY • WWW.BSPC.CO.UK

Built over 200 years ago, Molly and John Mitchell’s much loved home forthe last 30 years is such a quintessential country cottage its name says itall: The Cottage. But while it enjoys an elevated and therefore private off-road setting with beautiful views and extensive garden grounds, this south-facing character home has all the advantages of a country cottage, yet isconveniently located in the Sunnyhill area on the edge of Hawick, fromwhere it’s only a short walk through nearby Wilton Park to the town’s manyamenities

“Having always wanted a cottage, it was undoubtedly a case of love at firstsight when we found this one,” recalls Molly. “The doves were cooing as wewalked up the steps and it all just came together – the privacy, the setting awayfrom the road and close to the park, and of course the actual cottage”.

Can a cottage have it all? One in theSunnyhill hamlet of Hawick arguably

ticks most boxes

CThe Cottage, Dean Road, Hawick

WHEN YOU’RE BUYING OR SELLING PROPERTY . . . IT HAS TO BE BSPC12 13BSPC FEATURED PROPERTY • WWW.BSPC.CO.UK

Featured Property

The Cottage, Dean Road, Hawick, TD9 7HU

Offers Around £185,000 • Details on: Page 34

The cottage is entered via the original storm porch,which has leaded glass panels and practicaladditions such as shelving and hooks for coats andoutdoor shoes.

Inside, an attractively tiled hallway leads to aspacious front-facing living room with multi-fuelstove and a door into the adjoining conservatory.

All of these improvements have been undertakenwith care to ensure the property’s originalfeatures remain intact – and the result is a homethat now combines immense charm and theaesthetic appeal of random white painted stonewalls, with modern fixtures and fittings that makeit eminently comfortable and easy to live in aswell as characterful.

In the ensuing years the Mitchells have not onlyextended the south-facing property to create aspacious open-plan dining kitchen with Frenchdoors to the garden and added a conservatory atthe side, they have also rewired, installed mainsgas central heating and multi-fuel stoves in boththe living room and the conservatory, which leadsoff the living room and has access to the garden.

More recently, Molly and John have added a deck and patio/barbecue area adjacent to theconservatory, created a driveway at the bottom ofthe garden – and completely re-fitted the kitchen.

Character & Setting

Off the other side of the hall is a similarly spaciousmaster bedroom, where the original fireplace spacenow provides a quirky display area against the whitepainted stone wall.

Two steps at the end of the hall open into what is undisputedly the hub of this home, a near 30ftopen-plan kitchen/dining area with tiled flooring, twowindows overlooking the rear garden and Frenchdoor garden access at the dining area end of theroom. The kitchen work area is fitted with bespokesolid oak units, tiled splashbacks and integratedappliances and has access to an adjoining utility-there is also a good-sized pantry/cupboard. A rearhall off the kitchen leads to this home’s moremodern conveniences – a three-piece bathroomwith a Jacuzzi spa bath, and next door, a fully tiledcontemporary wet room-style shower facility.

A partially open-tread staircase from the hall leadsup to two further double bedrooms located on eitherside of the landing, which has a storage cupboard.Both bedrooms have traditional sloping exposedbeam ceilings and windows to the rear – one alsohas a dormer window to the front, which providesbeautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

CThe Cottage, Dean Road, Hawick

The cottage’s setting gives it an elevated south-facing front garden that has been landscaped and planted insections leading to a paved seating area next to the entrance, in addition there is private parking for two carsat the front. The side garden around the conservatory incorporates a delightful patio and decked area – anideal outdoor dining/entertaining space during the summer months. At the rear, terraced lawns are shelteredby adjoining woodland, which enhances the property’s privacy – the top two sections include a drying green,vegetable plot and fruit trees, with scope for further development if required. The property also has aworkshop (with electricity) and additional sheds/outhouses.

Beautifully presented inside and out, this is a cottage that will have widespread appeal owing to its size andlayout, character features and a location that offers the very best of town and country living.

“Having always

wanted a cottage, it

was undoubtedly a

case of love at first

sight when we found

this one,” recalls Molly.

“The doves were cooing

as we walked up the

steps and it all just came

together – the privacy,

the setting away from

the road and close to

the park, and of course

the actual cottage”.