A forever home and an eternal delight

Akora House is sure to

ALISON CLOWES and joiner husband Alex have always seen their next home as a way of improving their family’s way of life.

This was also the case with their latest house – the third property they’ve built for themselves – but this time it was out of necessity rather than aspiration.

Five years ago, Alison was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Suddenly the luxurious five-bedroom house that Alison and Alex had built from the ground no longer looked like the forever home they envisioned.

They needed something more in keeping with Alison’s future needs, so began designing Akora House, which was completed last year and sits on a picturesque spot in Humbie, East Lothian.

“Alex and I have been married more than 30 years and have been together since high school, and we’ve always tried to have can-do attitudes,” Alison said.

“I had only recently completed a marathon when I was diagnosed with MS, so it came as a shock.

“I couldn’t believe it at first, but then we said nothing has stopped us before.

“Our eldest daughter has left home to go to university and her sister won’t be too far behind, so we decided it was time to plan ahead for another stage of life – and to create a beautiful home that would suit our lives and aesthetic.”

Four years ago the family found the perfect spot, with countryside views as far as the eye could see.

They designed the house with Alison’s cousin, architect Gary Anderson, and spent two years building the property when time allowed.

“From the outside we wanted it to be in keeping with the area but inside we wished to make it contemporary and compassionate to all future needs,” Alison continued.

“People say it’s like the Tardis inside.

“We’ve taken away every doorway and extended the height in each room.

“It’s open-plan, so everything flows.

“One room contours into another, so one person could be sitting in the huge lounge, another in the kitchen and someone in the snug – they each have their own space in three different rooms, but are still together.

“We’ve created a picture from every window and each night when I come home, I still think, ‘ Wow’.”