After living at East Steading, a beautiful family home tucked away in a picturesque location near Midmar for eight years, Sarah and Jonathan Copp have decided the time is right to try their hand at converting a property for themselves.
“East Steading had been converted two years before we bought it in November 2004 meaning we had very little to do here,” Sarah explained. “We’ve actually bought a steading in the area with 30 acres of land. It’s basically a shell at the moment and we’re going to convert it. It’s a bit daunting but it will be worth it.”
Sarah, 40, and Jonathan, 35, who both work in the oil industry, were living at Westhill when their search for a new home led them to Midmar.
“We had started to think about the type of house we’d like to move to as we wanted to start a family and were thinking about the future.
“We stumbled across East Steading but didn’t think we would like it. The photo of the house that had been taken for the schedule was terrible and we weren’t sure if we even wanted to look inside it. So we turned up and couldn’t believe how nice it was.
“We went to see another few houses but knew this was the one for us.”
The couple fell in love with a variety of features, and plan to incorporate them into plans for their new home.
“As soon as I walked into the house I got the feeling of the vast open space on offer and it is one of the main things we are keen to copy in the new steading. I think when you go into some steadings you can find that there are tight corridors and we want to keep big open spaces.”
The vast number of windows throughout the house ensures that natural light floods in at all times – another design idea they will use at their new home.
“It doesn’t matter what the weather is like here – it can be miserable outside but it’s still lovely and bright inside,” Sarah said.
The couple are now proud parents to Matthew, 6, Daniel, 4, Christopher, 2, and Alexander, nine months, and the four-bedroom home has been an excellent size to accommodate the growing family.
“We have really happy memories here,” Sarah said. “All the children have been born while we have lived here so it will be sad to leave.
“The kids love the house and there is so much room for them. They often play on the landing at the top of the stairs as it’s so big and is like another room really.”
One of Sarah’s favourite areas at the house – on sale for offers over £445,000 – is the large open-plan kitchen and dining room.
“The room is great for the children as someone can be doing something at the table, the kids can be playing and the baby can be with me – and you know what everyone is up to without having to worry.”
The beautiful lounge is situated off the dining area and is another well-used area.
“The lounge is fantastic for entertaining as it has the double height ceiling and it’s great when you’re in the kitchen as you’re not a million miles away from your guests.”
The steading was designed to take full advantage of the picturesque views out to the Hill of Fare – another feature the couple fell in love with.
“The views are so fab here, I couldn’t move somewhere that didn’t have good views,” Sarah said. “We’re actually going to have the same outlook to the hills from our new house but from a bit further back.”
Although there was little to do internally at East Steading, the couple have worked hard to maintain the grounds at the house over the years.
Today, the south-facing garden is fully enclosed with well-stocked borders, surrounded by blossom trees and there are two patio areas.
For green-fingered members of the family there is an enclosed area stocked with fruit trees and raised vegetable beds, and there is also a further two acres of natural banked ground stretching to a burn near the house – a haven for wildlife.
It has been a difficult decision for the couple to leave the house they love behind but they are happy they are starting the new chapter of their life in the same area.
“We were determined to stay in Midmar as the area is fabulous and the community is really vibrant. There’s a lot going on out here.
“We love the house and will really miss it, but we’re excited about the future.”
Contact: Aberdein Considine & Co on 01330 824646/824647