QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Jim and Connie Walker transformed a tiny, dark and disconnected Victorian annexe into a modern, light-filled, long-term home, making the most of its modest floorplan
WORDS CAROLINE EDNIE
New French doors installed on the front elevation lead directly onto the new patio area. Triple-glazed timber units replace the original Victorian windows to improve the property’s thermal performance and complement its traditional look
The garden has been completely redesigned to create an inviting outdoor space that remains vibrant all year round
PHOTOS DAVI D BARBOUR
Having lived in China for the better part of 30 years, Jim Walker and his wife Connie decided to return to Scotland and settle down in the Borders town of North Berwick. It was the ideal location for the couple; by the sea, with train links to Edinburgh where they also have a flat, plus their son and his family live locally.
Preferring older properties, the couple found a bijou-sized, two-storey Victorian terrace for sale with a large front garden for sale that suited their needs. The house was originally part of a bigger property, which was subdivided at some point historically. It was most likely an annexe to the large adjoining house, containing the maids’ quarters, kitchen and utility areas. When the couple bought the property, it comprised multiple small, disconnected spaces, among which were five tiny bedrooms.
Jim and Connie’s brief was to create an open plan living layout with a better flow on the ground floor, with a generous master bedroom and a study space on the upper level to allow Jim to work from home. “It was all about simplif ying what was there. We don’t need multiple rooms – the house is just for the two of us,” says Jim. “We were designing a house and garden with everything we like – soft tones and lovely furniture and finishes. We wanted it to be a long-term home for us that was a tranquil, calming space for us to be. A total contrast to our more fast-paced lifestyle in Hong Kong.”