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Mary and Mike Kean consider
themselves very lucky to have found their perfect home in West
Lothian. Photography by Ian Monk |
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After months of searching, it was Mary’s daughter-in-law who had the big breakthrough. “We were really lucky when it came to securing this property,” smiles Mary. “My son Chris’ partner is always looking on ESPC and she happened to notice a one-liner on a new block of steading conversions being marketed by a firsttime developer. She printed it off for me but there was only really basic information on the advert so I didn’t think too much of it at the time.” Having failed to impress the couple with a small advert on the ESPC, fate stepped in to help the fledgling developers, Country Lifestyle Homes. “A couple of days later, I had a friend visiting from London while Mike was away on business in Dubai,” says Mary. “She knew we were looking for property and was raring to go viewing. I probably wouldn’t have bothered visiting the development so soon if she hadn’t been here, but we did drive out to have a look.” Unfortunately there wasn’t much that the pair of friends could actually see at their viewing. “It was pouring with rain and we really weren’t dressed to be stomping about in the mud on what was still essentially a building site,” laughs Mary. “However, I had seen various steading conversions before so I could see that this one had real potential. I loved the location and the fact that it was based in the grounds of Illieston Castle itself, which was also being renovated at the same time.” Having mulled it over with a glass or two of wine that evening, the ladies decided that one of the development’s gable end properties had the makings of a great home, and the next morning when Mike returned from Dubai, he was sent out with the cheque book to have a proper look around the property. “That was the Saturday after the first one-line advert on the ESPC had gone in on the Tuesday,” says Mary. “Luckily Mike was quick off the mark because, on the same day he visited, the development was advertised in The Scotsman. All ten properties were snapped up within a really short space of time so I was glad that we were one of the first people to see them.” Having secured their dream home only hours before a barrage of offers on the conversions was not only lucky for the Keans. Unsurprisingly, the developers were ecstatic. “The response to the advert we placed was fantastic,” says Kenny Turnbull, one of three brothers who set up Country Lifestyle Homes. “£2.7 million of property was reserved without a showhouse or us ever having completed a property in the past that people could look at. I think once we got people out to the site, our enthusiasm for the project was infectious. We were really excited about the designs and specification of the build. We knew that if we could deliver the build quality we had in mind, there would be no other homes on the market like ours.” Looking around Mike and Mary’s beautifully finished home, it is clear to see that the developers achieved their aim. Solid oak doors and stairs add warmth and depth to the home, while the perfect white walls of the living areas contrast with the exposed original stone of the entrance hall. “The fittings and fixtures are all of such high quality,” agrees Mary. “The guys really didn’t scrimp on anything at all.” One of the most extravagant rooms is the family bathroom, which boasts Porcelanosa tiles, designer sanitary ware and vanity units from Kerramag, fittings by Hans Grohe and the luxury touches of remote control mood lighting and a discreet remote control television built into the tiling at the end of the bath. “The bathroom is a real sanctuary, although Mike uses it more than I do,” says Mary. “After a hill walk it’s great to put the Jacuzzi jets on and relax with the lights changing, but I think the TV at the end of the bath is definitely what entices Mike to spend so long in there.” Another area that can’t fail to impress is the kitchen of the property. Decked out with the best in German design and technology, the vaulted ceiling adds drama to the undeniably practical space. The central kitchen island allows for sociable cooking, and the stylish granite worktops, Miele appliances and an odourless, self-cleaning oven ensure that both the design and functionality of the space are bang up to date. “My favourite room is definitely the kitchen,” says Mary. “It’s such a social space – really great for entertaining. It’s also good for when we have the family round because it’s big enough to fit everyone in.”
In fact, the whole development is perfect for parties. “There is a really good sense of community here,” enthuses Mary. “Mike and I had a bulb planting party in spring, when everyone came round to help us sort out the garden, and Nicholas, who owns the castle, invited everyone round for carols this Christmas. The outdoor courtyard is also a great asset. It has really encouraged us all to socialise as a community. Although I do also have my own little space – a lovely mosaic table I call my ‘chardonnay table’!” The spring brought more than just flowers to Illieston Castle Steadings when Country Lifestyle Homes won the coveted Conversion of the Year award at the Scottish Home Awards in April. The family firm that converted the 150 year old steadings into 10 houses really put their all into their first development. “We were very disillusioned with the quality of housebuilding in Scotland,” says Steven Turnbull, a quantity surveyor who had seen national housebuilders constantly reduce costs to improve profitability. “We didn’t want to compromise on the quality of this development at all. We used the very best craftsmen and the finest traditional materials, retaining as many original features as was possible. It’s great to know that all our hard work and attention to detail has paid off.” So, does the couple regret leaving the hustle and bustle of London or the natural beauty of South Africa to set up home in an awardwinning development in the east of Scotland? “Not at all. We have friends who have lived in West Lothian for 10 years, so we know the area really well,” says Mary. “It’s so handy for us – there’s a new shopping centre in Livingston and we can be in Edinburgh in 25 minutes or Glasgow in 45 minutes. Yet you feel like you’re in the middle of the countryside because of the great walks around here. We can go into Almondell Country Park, which is beautiful, or over the viaduct and along the tow road, stopping off in a great pub on the way back – perfect.” But with their favourite house builders almost at completion of a new project in Lanark, could the couple not be tempted into another move? “Mike has already been to have a look at the new development,” laughs Mary. “He says it’s really impressive and I’m sure the guys have done a great job, but we’ve moved house three times since 2006 so I’m quite happy to stay put. We have been really lucky with this house – it fits us like a glove.”
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