WHEN Louise and Grant Argo decided to tie the knot, they knew exactly where they wanted to live ... Kingswells.
Mum-of-two Louise said: “Grant and I both had our own properties before we married, and both my parents and Grant’s mum were already living in the area, both in the older, more established part of the village.”
The 35-year-old Jazzercise instructor added: “We already knew the area had a brilliant community spirit and we agreed it was the perfect place for us to raise a family. ”
Louise and Grant, 40, a cost and planning engineer with Shell, checked out several properties in Kingswells before they saw 3 Huxterstone Court.
“It was quite bizarre actually,” Louise said. “There was only the two of us then, but we decided to view this one, even though it had the four bedrooms.”
And she confessed she wasn’t too impressed with the dated decor, (especially the pink en-suite bathroom fitted with gold taps, set off against green walls) but she was able to see past that.
“The house ticked all the right boxes for us, mainly because it was so spacious. We knew potentially it could be a fabulous family home.”
The fact the property was tucked away in the corner of the quiet cul-de-sac sealed the deal for the couple.
Over the years, the Argos, who are now mum and dad to Mitchell, 7, and two-year-old Lois, have transformed their home.
The accommodation includes a hall, cloakroom, lounge, dining room, dining kitchen, utility room, master bedroom and en-suite, three further bedrooms and family bathroom.
In the entrance hall, Louise and Grant “jazzed up” the cloakroom by adding an attractive vanity unit to its existing white two-piece suit, decorated the walls with pretty patterned paper and tiled the floor.
In the lounge – Louise’s joint-favourite room along with the kitchen – she opted for a mellow vibe. “I really love the wallpaper on the main wall. I wanted something different, but not too in-your-face.
“I think it works really well.”
The airy lounge is filled with light from the large bay window.
A central feature of the room – which is laid with quality wood flooring – is a stunning fireplace set in a marble hearth. The lounge’s Georgian doors lead to the dining room which also has patio doors.
The recently-installed kitchen has a good range of wall and base units offering plenty of storage space.
“We knocked down the wall separating the kitchen from a breakfast area and were able to open up the space,” Louise said.
“I really love going in and out of the kitchen now and have taken to practising my latest dance moves for my Jazzercise class in there.
“Goodness knows what the neighbours at the back must think though, watching me giving it laldie!” Louise said.
And since the new kitchen has been fitted, Louise has rediscovered her passion for cooking for family and friends ... specifically her signature dish of crab spring rolls.
The utility room is next to the kitchen and leads to the garage.
In the upper hallway there is a built-in storage cupboard and a hatch which leads to the partially-floored loft.
In the master bedroom at the front of the property there are wall-to-wall fitted wardrobes and a two-piece white modern en-suite shower room.
There are a further three bedrooms on the upper floor.
Louise’s third favourite room in the house is the recently redesigned bathroom.
The property’s large driveway – with space for several cars – leads to the single garage. The front garden is mainly lawn and bordered with plants and shrubs, as is the rear enclosed garden which also features an attractive large decking area.
So have Louise and Grant found their next dream home and where will it be?
“We’re still searching for it, but you can bet your bottom dollar it will be in Kingswells,” she said.