Page 10 BSPC FEATURE PROPERTY

Having bought the property, it became an all-consuminglabour of love that was stripped back to basics andcompletely upgraded, including services, while retainingunique features, such as the original brass light switches.

The property has partial under-floor heating and a heatrecovery ventilation system – and the windows, whichare now a major feature, Elaine designed herself andhad made. The layout was reconfigured to create a newdining-size kitchen – and in 2008 a substantial sunroomwas added. “Stabstane is an inspiration for painting andthe sunroom makes a wonderful artist’s studio where Iam surrounded by the elements no matter the weatheror the season,” Elaine adds.

Stabstane is a sizeable family home with a two-storeylayout that comprises: 17ft dining kitchen, utility, groundfloor shower room, study with original period fireplacenow housing a multi-fuel stove, guest bedroom, andliving room (with a contemporary-style multi-fuel stove)opening into the sunroom, which has a roof lantern andpatio doors out to a sheltered seating area and gardenbeyond.

Upstairs, the master bedroom has a fully tiled ensuite shower room and there are two further doublebedrooms and main family bathroom with over-bathshower.

A uniquely different family home near Selkirk with land

Stabstane is an exceptional property in every sense, fromthe building’s distinctive architecture, to its idyllic five-acrerural setting that includes two stables, paddocks, anapple orchard, woodland and the opportunity for self-sufficiency - yet is only a mile from Selkirk town centre.

Built in 1947, the house style gives a nod to Art Decobut is arguably more a tribute to the work of the Bauhaus, the German design school most closely associated with‘Modernism’. The impact of the Bauhaus in the 1920sand 1930s extended the ethos of the British Arts andCrafts movement in the belief ‘form follows function’– that the construction and form of an object or buildingshould reflect its structural requirements to createsomething that is functional but also has universal appeal.

When present owner Elaine Dyer first saw Stabstane in2001, her ability as an artist and designer enabled her tosee beyond a jaded interior that was out of step with theproperty’s age and character. “The house appealed to meon every level and I could see that the original featureswere there but just needed to be brought to the fore,”says Elaine. “I also realised that this was a very specialplace and would be a wonderful home in which to bringup children.”

BSPC FEATURE PROPERTY Page 11

for horses or livestock – and sheep can be included !

Stabstane, Selkirk, TD7 4PR

Offers Over £400,000

Details on page 8

Like everything about this house, the layout is functionaland works perfectly as a 21st Century family home. Butthe interior is the main attraction – clean lines, neutraldecoration, and tall (and in some instances full height)windows that flood the interior with natural light framingthe glorious views. Cream carpets and ceramic tiled floorsand hardwood sills, surrounds and finishes complementan interior that is in no way starkly minimalist – but isclassically modern with no need for frills and superfluousdecoration.

The dining kitchen is fitted with cream Shaker-style walland base units with wooden work surfaces and includesan island breakfast area, gas range cooker within a tiledrecess, and integrated appliances.

Outside there is a courtyard parking area, while thegardens are a real delight, with grazing paddocks next tothe house – three “very fat and well fed” resident sheepcan be included in the sale if requested – terraced lawns,flower beds, woodland, two ponds linked by a stream, andplanting that provides colour throughout most of the year.The grounds are a haven for wildlife, with regular sightingsof deer, pheasants, foxes, badgers, birds, butterfliesand more.

“Stabstane is a special place and will always be a sourceof many happy memories,” says Elaine. “My children haveloved growing up here and spent many happy hoursexploring the woods, creating dens and hideaways. Many‘snowdays’ from school were spent building snowmenand fashioning toboggan runs down through the paddock,much to the delight of our dog and the sheep!”

More than a home, the lifestyle this wonderful propertyoffers is outstanding and could be run as a smallholding.It is also ideal for horses, chickens, and with establishedfruit and vegetable plots in addition to the orchard, thepossibilities for living the good life are unlimited.