Plot for a great home
If you can’t find your dream house, build it.
JENNY FARISH and her husband, Alexander, had been house-hunting for a long time without finding somewhere they felt they could call their own.
Eventually they decided if they couldn’t find the perfect home, they might as well build it themselves.
“We found this great plot in Perth,” Jenny explained.
“It was more than half an acre on the grounds of an old orchard with trees and a stream.
“It was also so close to the city’s facilities.”
Jenny, Alexander and their son Andrew, who is 18, worked closely with the design team on the plans for Westwood House to ensure their vision for the property was fulfilled.
“We knew exactly what we wanted,” said Jenny.
“We wanted to be able to live in all of it.
“In so many of the new houses we looked at, there would be six bedrooms but you could hardly swing a cat in them.”
One of their top priorities was ensuring their property could be kept warm efficiently.
“Our requirements weren’t particularly complicated,” said Jenny.
“We came from a cold, draughty farmhouse, so we wanted it to be efficient and easy to keep warm.
“With the triple glazing, under-floor heating and insulation, it’s fabulously warm.
“From buying the plot to moving in back in March 2013 took 18 months.”
The striking-looking home, which covers more than 3000ft, has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and two reception rooms.
The open plan lounge, dining area and kitchen has floor-to-ceiling glazing, ensuring a bright and airy feel.
It also provides access to the patio area and garden.
The Ashley Ann kitchen has an abundance of units, while the full-height partition wall with open hearth on both sides creates a natural divide, behind which is a further living area for more formal gatherings.
Also on the ground floor is a bedroom or study, utility room and WC.
Upstairs, an open gallery landing provides access to the master bedroom with dressing room and bathroom, a guest bedroom with en suite, two further bedrooms and a family bathroom.
The house also has Accoya
cladding elevations, giving it a different look from nearby properties, while the fully-enclosed garden has a pretty stream and a number of mature trees.
Another benefit is the stunning scenery which surrounds the home.
“One of the aspects I really love about the house is looking out at the beautiful trees from every window,” Jenny continued.
“And there are great views of the hills beyond Perth.
“I love it when you walk in the front door as the hallway stretches all the way up to the roof and with the double glazing doors you can see right through the house and into the garden.”
Despite their love for the house, the family has decided to move on.
Jenny is a voiceover artist and also does radio presenting and TV work, and finds herself working in Glasgow more often than not.
“I spend four hours or more in the car every day and we feel we need to regroup a little.
“We built it, so we feel we are emotionally invested in the house as well as financially.
“We didn’t build to sell, but life changes.
“I find it a very calming, tranquil house and it makes a perfect home.”
The property is on sale through Strutt & Parker for a fixed price of £685,000.