Video: 4 Riverside Part, Port Elphinstone, Inverurie
A grand property full of light and colour
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WITH an eye for colour and stylish design Linda and Frank Davidson have transformed a lovely house into a stunning family home.
When Linda and Frank needed more space for their growing youngsters they went house hunting.
Linda, 60, said: “We were looking for a bigger house with more bedrooms and plenty of space for parking as two of the children had cars.”
She said she and Frank, a director of an agricultural machinery company based in Elgin, looked at “lots of houses” but really liked the location of 4 Riverside Park.
Linda said: “It looked on to a big field and wasn’t overlooked from behind. It was very private with lots of garden space.
“The minute we came into it we got that feeling and just knew it was perfect for us.”
Linda and Frank, 61, were fortunate to buy the property at the development stage as they were able to upgrade the bathrooms and kitchen before moving in.
Over the years Linda’s nimble fingers have been busy running-up curtains and soft furnishings.
“I’ve always been interested in fabrics and colours and I like to make my own curtains.”
With huge windows to dress, involving measuring, cutting and sewing metres of material, Linda uses the loft as a sewing area.
Probably the biggest task of all was making the beautiful red drapes that provide an instant wow factor to the huge open plan lounge and family room.
“I always wanted something red in the house and when I saw this fabric it went from there,” said Linda.
In the elegant lounge is an eye-catching fireplace and huge bay window.
Another of Linda’s hobbies is music and she loves to play the piano in the corner of the room.
She plays for the Inverurie Rotary Glee Club, a group of men Linda calls “her boys” who sing at charity events and day care centres.
Accents of red continue into the spacious formal dining room.
In the relaxing family room is a lovely marble fireplace and French doors into the garden.
Also, in an open plan arrangement, is the huge kitchen, informal dining area and elegant sun room.
These areas are decorated in shades of cream and blue.
“We upgraded the kitchen five years ago and chose cream units and aqua blue Corian worktops.
Next to the kitchen is a large dining area with two arches with access to the sun room.
The stunning room was designed for them by architect William Lippe.
It’s a beautiful room with windows on two sides and a spectacular all glass gable end featuring windows and doors.
“The entire area is very spacious, calm and light, it’s just a lovely place to be in.
“This is also where we entertain, it’s the heart of house really.”
On the first floor is the master bedroom featuring a wall of mirrored wardrobes and en-suite shower room.
There are five more large bedrooms each with built in wardrobes.
Also on this floor is a striking midnight blue and white themed bathroom and shower room.
Outside, the garden which was once a wilderness is now a place of discovery.
“We had to think carefully how to design it and also make it manageable.” said Linda.
There is a grassed area with flower beds and a massive patio area that’s perfect for entertaining.
The large banked area at the back features a wide range of plants, trees and shrubs.
“We tried to make it like a wooded natural garden. There is always something different to see when you walk around it.”
This is a very special house in a beautiful location and leaving it after 13 years will be a big wrench for Frank and Linda.
“We have wrestled with this decision over the last year.
“The children have moved on so we have decided to downsize.
“This is such a lovely house to live in, I can’t describe it.
“It needs a family to be in the house, it was built for a family,” said Linda.
