Sailing high in Marine dream
Eye for detail marks ship captain’s residence out as a period classic
DOMINIC and Sarah Howlett throw open the door to their stunning town house and chorus: “Welcome aboard!”
The enthusiastic greeting is apt. Their seven-bedroom, luxury period home on Aberdeen’s elegant Marine Terrace comes with a history that has visitors standing to attention.
The house was built in 1837 by the renowned Victorian architect Archibald Simpson as a dwelling for a ship’s captain. And its front door was said to have been carved from the bulkhead of a sailing vessel.
Little surprise then that Dominic – himself a captain – is right at home here; even though his credentials were earned in the air and not on the high seas.
Dominic, a helicopter training captain, shares the home with his wife, a hospital haematology pharmacist, and their children Sophia, nine, and Ruaridh, seven.
The couple bought the B-listed building five years ago. It comes with a basement level suitable for a self-contained granny annex and a separate coach house with its own address and accessed via a lane or the garden.
The couple had both grown up in period properties and fell in love with the home’s authentic features like working shutters, ornate plaster work, cast iron radiators and feature fireplaces.
Dominic says: “The house is pretty much symmetrical with rooms leading off left and right of the central staircase, which gives it the air of abundant space and light which was important for us both.”
But parts of the house needed to be lovingly and tastefully coaxed into the 21st century. Dominic explains: “We initially had a number of rooms fully renovated as they were beyond the point of rescue; so the kitchen, a bathroom and utility room were completely stripped back and replaced.”
The couple chose a traditional but bespoke Neptune kitchen in natural colours which was in keeping with the style of the house while at the same time lending it a more contemporary feel. A
similar approach was employed for the bathroom and utility room.
Sarah took on the interior design herself. Dominic says: “She has a keen eye for detail when it comes to redecorating and used traditional colours in keeping with the property’s appearance.”
The couple recently opened up the drawing room fireplace and redecorated the room to give it a bright and classic feel. And the bedrooms have been freed from their dated wood chip wallpaper. A complete renovation of the master bedroom included the reinstatement of a balcony door overlooking the now landscaped garden.
Dominic explains: “Other works involved replacing numerous window sills and window maintenance. All were in desperate need of attention and I did the work myself so I know they are now good for the years to come!”
The family love the space and seclusion of their home. “You wouldn’t know you’re in the middle of Aberdeen,” Dominic says. “It’s a great house for entertaining and we’ve had some very memorable dinner parties over the years!”
But a change in circumstances means they now have to move on and are reluctantly selling the home they have cherished. It is on the market with Simpson and Marwick for offers over £925,000.