House call

House type:

Detached villa

Size:

Four bedrooms

Location:

Newton Mearns

Price:

Offers over #255,000

FEW houses are as distinct as Whitegables in Newton Mearns. Dating from the 1930s, its art deco style separates it from most houses built before or since then.

Externally, the house has a whitewashed rendering with the window frames and other borders painted black. To the front there is a long bay on the ground floor with a terrace above it and although the original roof is flat, an extra tiled roof sloping to the back, has been added.

The present owners bought Whitegables about three years ago and have transformed it into a comfortable and stylish home, extending it sympathetically as well as employing an interior decorator to advise on the furnishing and colour schemes.

The result is impressive, with the extensions and alterations to the house blending well to the untrained eye, while inside the house is warm and welcoming. Other improvements over the past three years have included the installation of central heating, replumbing, rewiring and damp proofing.

Although the original art deco windows have been removed, the present owners have compensated for this by replacing them with new windows with thick wooden frames.

To the front there is a chipped horseshoe driveway with wrought-iron gates in keeping with the balcony on the terrace. A modern white door leads into the hall, which has stripped wooden floorboards. From here there is access to the kitchen, which has its own utility room, a study with a range of shelves as well as the dining room and the drawing room.

Immediately to the left of the front door is a cloakroom which has been completely upgraded and redecorated. Previously the house had only a small kitchen which has now been considerably enlarged by an extension. The floor is quarry-tiled and the wooden units are all free-standing and are not included in the sale price. All the doors of the house have been replaced but some have Bakelite handles from the originals.

Across the hall there is the lounge, which has stripped wooden floorboards plus a Clay Gate fireplace with a living flame gas fire. One side of the room is a row of windows with curved corners at each end. The walls have been painted a warm orange and the window frames are a natural varnished wood inside, similar to those in the rest of the house.

From the drawing room there are period glazed doors to the dining room, which has another Clay Gate fireplace. Adjacent to the dining room is a conservatory.

A dog-leg staircase which has the original wrought-iron railing and a wooden banister leads to the first floor landing with herringbone parquet flooring, another feature that appears in many of the rooms.

At the top of the stairs one of the owners has painted a mural with an African theme, while all four bedrooms have been attractively decorated.

The master bedroom has shutters and wooden laminate flooring, while another has been painted in bold greens and blues, in contrast to the guest bedroom which is painted white.

Two of the bedrooms have en suite showers, while the bathroom has a cast-iron bath.

From the bedroom at the front of the house there is a glazed door to the extended terrace overlooking the front garden and beyond.

Throughout the house there is gas central heating and double glazing. Practical features outside include a double garage and security lighting.

To each side of the house is a lawn, one of which is large enough for a game of badminton. Most of the house is secluded by various trees, shrubs and conifers, while there is a timber fence at the back and a low brick wall to the front.

With easy access south along the M77 or north into Glasgow, Newton Mearns is a pleasant suburb with renowned schools, golf courses and shops close at hand.

Offers in excess of #255,000. Viewings arranged through Slater Hogg & Howison, telephone 0141 616 2366.