Video: Ardenlea, Bank Brae, Alford
Property ticked all right boxes
Published:
DOTING dad Euan Docherty’s desire to spend more time with his baby daughter Faith, has prompted a move from this stunning home.
Euan’s wife Seonaid, 37, said: “When we first moved here Euan was working at Dyce which was only a half-hour commute.
“But since his move to Portlethen where he is an engineer with Smith International, travelling time is longer.
“He only gets to see Faith for a short time in the evenings.”
To have more time together Seonaid and Euan realised that the only solution was to move.
“If we could just pick up the house and move it closer to Euan’s work that would be perfect.”
This charming house holds many happy memories for the couple.
They were married just a couple of months after moving in and it’s their baby’s first home.
It was their dream house and since moving in six years ago they have transformed it into a stunning family home.
Before moving to Alford, Euan, 38, and Seonaid lived in Euan’s flat in Aberdeen.
“Originally from the country, I really wanted to get out of the city a bit.
“We looked at houses but this was the only one we went to view.
“As soon as we turned into the street we could see the house and we thought ‘oh wow!’.”
This sturdy granite property ticked all the right boxes for the couple.
Seonaid said: “The house was of a very high standard with lovely carpets and furnishings but a bit too traditional for us.
“Over the years we have taken time to change a few things.”
Euan stripped back a lot of the paintwork to expose the original wood and they knocked through from the dining room to the kitchen and put in French doors.
With accommodation spread over three floors, this Edwardian double-fronted property, built in 1901, is spacious and bright with many original features.
The elegant lounge retains the lovely stained glass sash and case windows, ornate cornicing, wood panelled doors, skirtings and cast iron radiator.
The kitchen, which has recently been upgraded, is fitted with a modern range of base and wall units and a central unit.
Laughing Seonaid said: “When Faith came along we changed the breakfast area. We put in a sofa and when Euan comes home from work that’s where he sits with the baby while I cook.
“It keeps us all together.”
The huge dining room is very impressive with a pretty bay window and hand-crafted double doors into the kitchen.
“We use the dining room nearly every day now since we put in doors leading into kitchen.”
The rear inner hall, which Seonaid refers to as her mud area is perfect for pram parking and dirty wellies.
There’s also a handy walk-in cupboard, under-stair cupboard and large airing/drying room.
On the mezzanine level is the newly-upgraded family bathroom and study/bedroom four.
Off the spacious upper floor landing is the airy master room and two further generous size bedrooms.
Outside, the third-of-an-acre garden is mainly lawn and has a decking area.
“This is a happy house and it always feels warm and welcoming.
“You really don’t need a car, everything is within a short walk shops, school, swimming pool.” said Seonaid.
