Video: Lynndale, Dess, Aboyne
Home built 100 years ago now boasts modern look
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WHEN Dr Euan MacKenzie and wife Teena first set eyes on Lynndale they were instantly won over by its setting and stunning views.
The house itself wasn’t quite what they were looking for but they could see it had the potential to be transformed into a spacious family home.
Euan and Teena, a nurse, met while working in the Accident and Emergency department at ARI and married in 1999.
When they started out on their search for a new home they were planning for the future which included a family.
“At the time we were living in Rosemount but didn’t want to stay in the city.
“We felt there was more opportunity for children in the country.
“We got in the car and travelled around looking at lots of places.
“When we went to Aboyne, we discovered everything we wanted.
“It was the scenery and the hills we liked first but also it was an easy commute to Aberdeen. When we found this house it was a lot smaller than we wanted as we were aiming at that time to have three children.
“But we both fell in love with the views from the house, with its nice country feel, and knew that it had lots of potential.”
Looking at this modern, roomy house you would never guess it dates back to1905.
Teena, 39, said: “It used to be two but ’n ben cottages that were knocked together by previous owners.
Euan, 36, and Teena moved into their new home in 2000.
“Basically we demolished the inside. Walls were knocked down, the interior layout completely changed, and we extended it.”
Three months down the line, the couple had the home of their dreams and over the years, this lovely house has welcomed the patter of tiny feet three times over.
First to arrive was Liam, 8, then Ross, 6, and last but not least Emma, 4.
Lynndale sits in around half-an-acre of ground with panoramic views across the countryside.
Teena said: “The garden is amazing.
There’s a big lawn and wooded area that the children love to play in and they have a den Euan built for them.”
“The garden is totally enclosed so its safe and secure for children.
Inside this warm and welcoming home, Teena and Euan have decorated in mainly neutral shades.
They have used curtains, accessories and some beautiful artwork to inject a touch of colour into each room.
“Euan and I love going round galleries. We’ve bought three paintings by Sandy Youngson, a local artist. One is a quite dramatic landscape of Cruden Bay.”
The bright lounge, measuring a whopping 19ft 7in x 19ft 6in, is arranged to provide two areas – one for sitting and watching TV, the other a quieter space for reading or relaxing.
Off the lounge are two big conservatories. One is used as a formal dining room while the other acts as a family room for relaxing.
The kitchen dining area is big and bright with lots of natural light flooding in.
It is fitted with a modern range of base and wall units and built-in appliances.
The spacious master bedroom has high-quality, wall-to-wall fitted wardrobes.
There is also a large walk-in cupboard with plumbing which could be converted into an en-suite.
Also on this floor is a utility room, another large bedroom and the family bathroom.
Upstairs are two more vast bedrooms, a shower room, playroom and Euan’s den, which has been fitted out as a library to store his collection of music and films.
“As Euan has recently settled into a new practice in Aberdeen and with the kids getting older, we’ve toyed long and hard with the idea of moving towards Aberdeen or into the village.” said Teena.
After nine happy years in this lovely home, they have decided the time is right for a move up the property ladder to a bigger house.
