In a house designed by the former head of Gray’s School of Art, you would expect nothing less than the best throughout.
And that’s exactly what you get with 37 Oakhill Road.
From the hand-painted stained glass windows to the meticulously designed one-off fireplaces, this is a property with a personality of its very own.
Its current custodians, Graham and Marie-Claude Birkett, have lived all over the world, yet from Paris to Houston, nowhere has charmed them quite as much as No 37.
The pair have both worked in the oil and gas sector for many years, and in their free time have managed to delve deep into the history of their Aberdonian abode.
“We’ve lived here since 2013,” said Graham, 65.
“But the house has been here for almost a century.
“It was built in the 1920s by James Steedman Hamilton, who was at one time the head of Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen.
“Though this wasn’t the only house he was involved in designing.
“The story goes that James and one of his colleagues decided to build two houses, one next to the other on Oakhill Road.
“That’s why No 37 and its next door neighbour look totally different from any other houses in the street.”
A cast iron Charles Rennie Macintosh-inspired railing surrounds the property, whose Tudor-styled exterior is indeed completely different from the rest of the traditional granite properties in the area.
As you step through the gate, a sense of quiet ensues, as birds swoop above you and the noise of the city melts into the background.
The striking original windows stand out among the foliage of the garden, drawing you nearer to the house.
Hues of orange, green and violet make up the delicate panels of stained glass, which truly set this property apart from others.
“The stained glass windows were all handmade by the original owner,” said Graham.
“And they were made on the premises too, in the small workshop next door, which we now use as an office and gym.
“Apart from the modern extension, all the windows are original. It must have taken months of work to complete.”
“I bet his wife was getting on at him to get it finished quickly,” laughed Graham. “I know the feeling!”
The quirky feel of No 37 continues inside, beginning with the two main family rooms. Both feature unusual wooden wall panelling, as well as rather striking fireplaces.
One hearth in particular covers the whole width of the wall in a fabulous triangular brick pattern, yet despite its age and stylised appearance, is still in full working order ready for the cold nights to draw in.
More wonderful stained glass doors lead through to the modern extension, marking the spot where the original property ended and the new build begins.
Beautifully bright and modern, the new space has been sympathetically designed with a nod to the old house. Exposed brickwork and a contemporary take on stained glass effectively join the two parts of the house, creating a versatile living space that has suited the Birketts perfectly.
At one end of the room is space for a large dining table, while at the other is the kitchen and breakfast room.
However, despite its current modern look, the space wasn’t always so practical.
“When we moved in, the kitchen was really small and closed off,” said Marie-Claude, 59.
“It was hidden away with a separate pantry, which sort of jutted out into the room.
“We totally redesigned it and made it much more useable.
“Just outside the kitchen, we made a little breakfast area with space for a toaster and a coffee pot.
“It’s a lovely place to sit on sunny mornings.”
Completing the downstairs accommodation is a large shower room, as well as the original owner’s workshop, currently used as a home gym.
Bold tiger wallpaper – Marie-Claude’s favourite – leads upstairs, where the master bedroom offers a tranquil spot to relax. Double-aspect windows flood the room with light, while an elegant fireplace adds character to the room.
Three further bedrooms are also on offer, all of which offer generous fitted storage.
The family bathroom completes the accommodation.
And although the Birketts are leaving Scotland for the sunny south of France to be near family, it’s not just the unique interior of No 37 that they will miss.
In the garden, countless mature trees and bushes create an impressive scene, with gravel paths leading to various nooks and crannies, including a fabulous patio and naturally occurring pond.
It has the feel of a real-life secret garden, and truly has secrets of its own, such as a hidden sea view – but only if you know where to look.
“There is a French song called Le Jardin Extraordinaire,” said Marie-Claude.
“I feel like it’s written about this place, the real-life magical garden.”
Offers should be made in the region of more than £600,000.
Contact Ledingham Chalmers on 01224 632500.
