Something old, something new
An extended Victorian semi-detached villa on the edge of Dundee has been transformed with colourful accents and an eclectic mix of traditional and modern furniture
Take a peek inside a beautiful and eclectic Victorian villa in Dundee
When Sarah and Andrew Miller first married, they were living in Andrew’s bachelor pad while searching for a home together. ‘This house was in a perfect location: a quiet village between the sea and green fields, and easy travelling distance for us both for work,’ says Sarah. ‘The previous owner was a property developer who’d undertaken the extension and basic renovations. That suited us, as it was a blank canvas we could personalise.’
Sarah, who’s a consultant at a local hospital, couldn’t wait to start. ‘I love rummaging at vintage fairs and antique shops for inspiration. It’s a great way to add individuality to a home,’ she says.
The house has the best of both worlds. ‘The old part’s full of period character and charm; the new section is modern, spacious and light,’ Sarah says. ‘Neither of us like clutter, particularly Andrew, but we both feel the house should be individual and we enjoy experimenting with pops of colour.’
The result is original and fresh with hints of the unexpected. ‘I’ve kept things like an oil painting by one of Andy’s aunts and a trunk belonging to my grandma that she took out to India where her husband worked for the Dundee jute industry.
The mix of old and new is probably the secret of our home’s success.’
‘The house is full of period character and charm, but is also modern, spacious and light – and we love to experiment with pops of colour’
The couple love whiling away the hours in the large kitchen-diner in the modern extension at their home’s rear. ‘It's so functional and sociable,’ says Sarah. The space is well insulated, so is easy to keep warm in winter. They both love to cook and entertain, so the kitchen is definitely at the heart of their home.
High-level windows flood this room with daylight and the couple have added blinds that can be remotely controlled to bring privacy when the lights are on in winter or shade during the summer. Meanwhile, the patio doors can be opened on hot days so they can always bring in fresh air from outside.
The front living room, with its log-burning stove, stripped-back wood and rich colour scheme, is full of interest. ‘We chose not to have curtains here,’ says Sarah.
‘The mix of old and new is probably the secret of our home’s success – and it’s in the perfect location!’
‘We wanted to enjoy the beautiful wooden panelling around the windows. Local interior designer Lynne Duffus created a moodboard for us, which we loved, and it gave us confidence and a useful starting point.’ The result is cosy but sophisticated.
‘Upstairs, we’ve gone more minimal and monochrome with the main bedroom. It has an airy, contemporary feel, which is perfect, as it’s a shared room,’ says Sarah. With free rein in the spare bedroom, she has worked in inherited pieces and vintage finds. ‘This is one of my favourite rooms,’ she says. ‘I like the way it has evolved slowly and it’s home to some of my best vintage pieces. Happily, our cat, Ritchie, seems to agree with me!’