Who: Shirley Butcher, 59, an HR manager, and her husband Garry, 67, an operations director for Abscaff. Their grown-up children have moved out, but they share the home with their two dogs, Olive and Poppy, and cat, Harley.
What: A modern four-bedroom home with three bathrooms, an open-plan kitchen diner, and a detached garage converted into a music studio.
Where: Inverurie.
Here, Shirley shares their renovation journey…
“My husband Garry and I moved into our home in Inverurie nine years ago.
At the time, we were living in Meikle Wartle, but we wanted to be closer to amenities. We began searching for a property that offered both space and a sense of privacy, and this one really stood out.
We were drawn to its modern design and loved the potential to customise it to suit our lifestyle.
The garden and the separate garage – which we knew would make a great music studio for Garry – were big selling points.
Amazing Inverurie home makeover…
Our first impression when we viewed the house was how light and spacious it felt.
We immediately loved the open-plan layout and the flow between the living areas. For me, the highlight was the garden, which gets sun all day and felt full of potential.
Two years ago, we transformed it into an entertainer’s dream, complete with decking, artificial grass, an outdoor bar, and a barbecue area – it’s now the perfect spot for family gatherings.
For Garry, the separate garage became a private space to focus on his music away from the main house.
We also loved how close the house is to lovely walks along the River Don – ideal for our two dogs, Olive and Poppy, who we take out most days. Our cat Harley also lives here, though she’s much more content staying cosy indoors.
When we bought the house, it was essentially an empty shell.
We set about transforming it straight away, starting with installing new bathrooms and a modern kitchen. We laid real hardwood flooring throughout and added underfloor heating downstairs for comfort.
The double garage was converted into the music studio early on. The living room was also revamped, and now features a stylish media wall and fireplace.
We installed double doors so the lounge can either be closed off from the dining area or opened up for a more spacious feel.
A nine-year transformation journey
Three years ago, we tackled the garden renovation. We wanted something low-maintenance but high-impact, so we added artificial grass from Easigrass, a decked area, an outdoor bar and barbecue, and a new shed from Costco.
The garden furniture came from Sterling, and we sourced the barbecue gazebo from there too.
The result is a space that’s perfect for entertaining – and it looks great all year round. If anything, we wish we’d done the artificial grass much sooner.
The whole process of transforming the house has taken nine years. We did it project by project, taking our time to make sure everything was just right.
Everything was carefully planned and executed, from the initial renovations to the more recent upgrades.
Now that everything is finally complete, we’re considering downsizing, just as we’ve reached the perfect finish.
‘We love our Inverurie home makeover’
Our interior style is modern and minimalist. We’ve used paint from Dulux and Macgregor, and we chose our kitchen from Howdens.
The fireplace came from The Fireplace Centre, and we tried to support local businesses wherever we could. Everything has been chosen to suit the way we live – practical but with a clean, stylish look.
The biggest challenge was definitely getting everything ready in time for our move-in. Trying to get the flooring, kitchen, bathrooms and other bits all completed to a high standard, within a tight timeframe, was a massive undertaking.
Like most renovations, it also ended up costing more than we originally expected. But we’re so happy with how it all turned out, and we wouldn’t change anything.
For me, the garden is still the standout part of the house. It’s been the setting for so many special occasions and sunny afternoons.
For Garry, it’s the music studio – his own space to relax and unwind. The location has been perfect too – peaceful, private, and with great neighbours.
What do I wish I’d known?
If I had to give one piece of advice to anyone thinking of doing something similar, it would be to find skilled, reliable tradespeople who are willing to work with you and help bring your vision to life.
The right team makes all the difference. And if you can, buy local – supporting businesses in your area is so important, and often leads to better results.
This house has truly become a reflection of who we are. From a blank canvas, we’ve created a space that’s personal, functional and full of happy memories.
Kadonella, Inverurie, Aberdeen, is on the market for prices around £340,000.
To arrange a viewing contact Raeburn Christie Clark and Wallace on 01358 720777 or check out the listing here.
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