LOW POINT
“Definitely the issues with the Victorian private water supply (before the estate created a borehole); at one point we had to bathe in the Loch, which loses its novelty after a while, as does filling buckets of water for dishwashing and toilet flushing.”
didn’t want to put in fake beams, and there were certain pieces we could take out and reintegrate to form part of the structure, albeit in a different format.”
THE SAME PAGE Fortunately, the Joiners’ builder and architect were on the same page as the couple and were equally keen to retain the property’s original character. “Once the project began, we had a brilliant builder (Chris Robinson) and a great architect (John Craig), and we all worked well together. Once we handed over to Chris it was really a dream build; it really matters to have someone with a solid reputation and an established network of trades and suppliers.” The couple’s practical approach to the
renovation has also helped. “We’re not property developers, and although we’ve done small scale renovations, we’ve never tackled a project of this magnitude, so I suppose what I’m most pleased with is how we’ve managed to achieve something that we’re proud of.” Tackling the project in a systematic way – the build, the garden, even clearing out the barns, was their plan from the get-go. “We had to do it one step at a time, or we would have been overwhelmed by the scale of the project. It’s like owning a key to a huge number of hobbies and a list of new skill sets that we’ve had to develop.” She adds: “I’ve always wanted to do a self-build as I come from a family of self- builders; I’ve seen it as part of my DNA. This level of restoration has been close to self- building.” And although everything has taken longer than they had anticipated, taking that time has also afforded them a greater understanding of the building and its relationship within the estate.
jan/feb 2022
“We had to do it one step at a time, or we would have been overwhelmed by the scale”
Taking advantage of their new expansive views, the final layout, which is over two floors, incorporates a kitchen/diner, utility room, bathroom, snug and double bedroom on the ground floor with a sitting room and further two bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs. Once the building work was complete,
creatively minded Hilary was keen to get started on the interior aesthetics, and after five years in the planning (when you include lockdown), she more than a little amount of vision of how the result would look. “By this time, I had a massive Pinterest board! Also knowing the area so well and being aware of its strong connection with Scandinavia, crisp, clean lines and simple uncluttered design was the obvious way to go.” Although Pityoulish is now an investment which will raise income, the couple and their family very much intend to use it as their second home, and Hilary looked upon it as a fresh start. “My own house probably has too much in it, and this was a chance to have a clean slate and have the style without the clutter that we accumulate for everyday living.”
That style includes little touches like luxurious deer hides and sheepskins and the odd quirky wall covering (from Scottish supplier Timorous
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