There are few gardens where you can perch drink in hand, dangling your feet in the stream beneath an arched canopy of trees.
Beulah in Chapel of Garioch is an oasis of calm overlooked by nothing but fields and the stunning hills of Bennachie.
The three bedroom home which is priced at offers over £375,000 has been a labour of love for owners Robert and Anne Brand, who are moving to be closer to their son, Douglas and his partner, Sarah, in Monymusk after 18 wonderful years.
For Robert, who runs his own architecture business, the spot where Beulah stands was just too good an opportunity to miss after decades of designing other people’s homes, and he finally decided it was time to work on his own project.
The house was designed to capture beautiful views from all angles, and the couple’s two grandchildren have loved playing round the stunning gardens.
The Brands came up with the unusual house name after stumbling across the word in the Press and Journal.
It derives from Beaulieu which roughly translates as lovely in French.
It may never have been built at all had Robert not stumbled across the serene spot whilst out on a cycle ride.
“I remember he rang me and said he might just have found the perfect location,” recalls Anne.
“He was out cycling when he came across it, there was once a very old cottage that stood here but had already been knocked down.
“Once things got in motion we bought the land and that’s when all the hard work began.”
It’s hard to believe their stunning home was once little more than a field, and the open plan kitchen and dining room is clearly the hub of the home.
It’s not hard to see why after Robert installed a wood burner with a flute running up through the ceiling and into the lounge above.
It heats the whole house and Molly the Westie is partial to lying in front of it.
The kitchen overlooks the gardens and contains gorgeous features such as bespoke kitchen units and gorgeous cooker hood, giving a real rural cottage feeling.
The large room also contains a mini living area and dining room, where visitors tend to congregate.
“We had this vision where people could come in and sit down without even needing to take their shoes off, and that’s very much what people do,” said Anne.
“Originally we thought visitors would then go upstairs to our lounge but they just love this room, it’s so cosy and the light floods in.
“It’s just beautiful.”
There is also a large bedroom with built in wardrobes and shower room downstairs, alongside access to the garage and utility room plus a downstairs toilet.
Upstairs leads to a stunning lounge with high ceilings which slope at either end, and it is kept warm in the winter thanks to the wood burner flute.
“We’ve had some wonderful times in this room at Christmas, the views towards a snowy Bennachie and a big Christmas tree, we love it in here,” said Anne.
“It’s perfect for having all the family round and our grandchildren love playing in here because it’s so large.”
The further two bedrooms can be found upstairs including the master bedroom which is en-suite and comes with a corner bath.
Light is a key feature in this room and floods in with views over the fields and towards the summer house, with the second bedroom looking out over the hills.
Both rooms have plenty of storage thanks to built in wardrobes and have been lovingly maintained, with feature walls and beautiful teal colours.
The extensive gardens have become a real family affair, with everyone pitching in to build the fairytale summer house, which has been decked out inside for al fresco dining.
“Once we got inside exactly how we wanted it, we wanted to create something special outside which would reflect us as a family,” said Anne.
“The summer house was built by us, our son Douglas who was 10 when we moved here, and Robert’s parents.
“At this time of year we eat in there most evenings and I’ve created areas in the garden to capture the sun throughout the day.
“The patio area is a real sun trap then the path takes you down to the stream.
“Few people can say they can sit under the archway which has been created by branches and watch the dippers flitting in and out the water.
“We watch the deer with their fawns in the fields and the colours in autumn are spectacular.”
Gravel paths lead around well planted borders and a small dining area is hidden in a rockery.
Old chimneys have been used to create pillars on the driveway where there is ample space for parking.
Pitcaple in Chapel of Garioch is only a short drive to Inverurie and in commuting distance of Dyce, Westhill, and Aberdeen.
The Brands will be sad to go but are hopeful the right family will love Beulah just as much as they have.
Contact Peterkins on 01467-672800
