WENDY Davidson and her family are swapping one dream home for another – thanks to the Evening Express.
They have been happily settled in their wonderfully-stylish coastal home for the last 19 years and, until recently, had no plans to move.
But then they picked up a copy of the Evening Express Living guide and everything changed.
“We’ve bought Seaview House in Cove, after seeing it featured as the Dream Home in the paper a few weeks ago.
“That house chose us. We hadn’t even thought about looking when we saw it.
“It’s a very different property from this one as it’s very traditional, but they both have views of the sea.”
Wendy and husband James – both 44 – bought New Mearns, in Downies Village, Portlethen, due to the space it offered, both inside and out.
And while James, who is the managing director of his own company, goes out to work by day, human resources consultant Wendy gets to work from a more tranquil setting.
“I work from the summerhouse at home which has views of the sea,” she said.
“I can see right down the coast from there.”
The couple have carried out a great deal of work in the home, which they share with nine-year-old son, Calum. The most recent job was the garden, which was completely redesigned and replaced with help from North-east garden designer Kirsty McLean.
Wendy said: “It was designed completely for us. It’s got specially-placed slopes for the lawn-mower, so you never have to lift it up when you’re cutting the grass and Calum has his own vegetable patch.
“He’s grown potatoes, peas and lots of beetroot for us there.
“He loves watching Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and we even went to visit River Cottage during the October holidays.”
Wendy and James have also replaced the flat roof of their bungalow with a pitched one, fitted an open fire in the lounge, added an en-suite shower room and decorated the property throughout.
And it’s the stylish design in every room that gives this home some serious wow factor.
The lounge is a retro dream, with its polished floors and red leather suite, while the kitchen is a modern vision in black and white stripes.
The property also has a lovely sun room, brightly decorated with blue tones, and bright bedrooms.
Wendy said: “My favourite room has to be the sitting room, especially in winter.
“With the coal fire going and the red colours, it’s really cosy – a real winter room.
“But in the summer I like the sun lounge best as it is south facing and gets a lot of the sun.”
After 19 years, saying goodbye brings mixed feelings.
“We are very much looking forward to our new project, but even putting the For Sale sign up made us feel sad.
“There’s so many memories here, like Calum splashing about in the puddles outside on his birthday when he was little.
“But I’m sure our next home will be where we’ll settle for good.”