Interiors: A rethink on indoor space realised the potential of this former gatehouse for modern family living

The location was perfect as the couple were looking for a semi-rural environment in which to bring up a family. Originally a gatehouse to the Garthland Estate, Garpel Lodge is surrounded by open countryside, yet within strolling distance of the village, its primary school and watersports facilities.

It's been 12 years since the couple moved to Garpel Lodge, which has grown to accommodate their needs, and those of their three children, Struan, Holly-Rose and Rory, not to mention two dogs and two horses.

Previous owners kept the house in good shape, and initially the couple's alterations were decorative. Later they embarked on more significant changes, starting with sanding down floorboards in the front-facing rooms, and uncovering original wood panelling.

For years the family coped with a small kitchen within a section of the sandstone building that extended into the back garden. Then they submitted plans that proposed replacing this kitchen with a spacious extension accommodating a family-orientated kitchen-cum-living area, utility room and toilet.

"It took a very long time to get through planning," says Colene.

The 28ft-long extension, while contemporary, was always envisaged as a subtle addition to the house and planners ultimately gave the go-ahead. In April 2008, the builders got started on site. Colene, who worked as a project manager in the whisky industry, oversaw the job in conjunction with Galston-based builder, Hugh Richmond. "Hugh and his team were fantastic," she says.

When the old kitchen came down, sandstone was salvaged for re-use in the faade of the new timber-frame extension. Despite the fact that planners set a limit on the new structure's height, its vaulted ceiling creates a fabulous sense of space and light.

The family continued living in the house for the year it took to complete the project.

"Our builders made a temporary kitchen in the old dining room," says Colene, referring to a ground-floor room that's now the family bathroom. Hugh also made sure the family had a working toilet and shower at all times.

The extension provides a fantastic link between the house and garden. The new structure hardly impinges on the half acre of grounds, and the kitchen-living area spills into the garden via a series of glazed, bi-fold doors.

Underfloor heating was installed below practical Italian flagstones that stretch through the new kitchen-living space. The entrance hall was re-floored with these flagstones too, so from the front door the eye follows an uninterrupted line to the back of the building.

Colene found her dream kitchen online. She designed the layout and the builders slotted the solid timber kitchen into place. A large central island, with solid walnut worktop, with child-friendly curved edge, enforces the sociable relationship between the cooking area and the adjacent dining and living spaces. The couple made the most of the opportunity to include luxury extras such as the island's wine fridge.

Colene also chose walnut for the larder units that frame the large fridge-freezer, and sourced granite for the remaining kitchen worktops from a local firm in Glasgow. Everything was chosen with family living in mind, from the stainless steel range, to the double Belfast sink with Perrin & Rowe taps.

"The whole family congregates here," says Colene, explaining that Scott chose the curved sofa at the top of the room so all of them could pile on. "We went for a splash of colour with the red leather," she continues.

Together with changes the couple made elsewhere, the extension successfully melds the character of this period house with a 21st-century vibe. In the new downstairs bathroom there's a freestanding slipper bath which complements the period setting, while the upstairs master en suite is kitted out with a contemporary double shower.

Laura Ashley wallpaper was chosen for the master bedroom, its neutral tones inspiring the paint for the remaining walls.

The first floor also has superb storage, and the couple created a study area on the upper landing, alongside one of two new dormer windows they added to the house. Holly-Rose has a princess's room up here, complete with a pink wall and fairy lights, while Struan and Rory share a bedroom downstairs.

"The boys' room is quite neutral," says Colene, who prefers adding colour with accessories.

The couple opened up the lounge fireplace, which had been home to a small gas fire, to discover a large space that, they think, once held a cooking stove. "This may have been the kitchen originally," says Colene.

The opening was too large for a real fire, so an efficient log burner was fitted; a rustic surround was made using railway sleepers from a reclamation yard and Colene painted the concrete hearth black. The family welcome the contrast between the airy extension and this cosy nook.

While the walled front garden remained in good shape, ground at the back required attention after the building work. A local landscaper whipped this space into shape with new lawns and a chipped area for a round patio and a feature semi-circular wall. The couple also built two stables in the grounds, and rent a nearby field for grazing.

"There's great local hacking," says Colene.

The family don't plan to stray far from this. But, having extended this house with the intention of staying, Colene has an itch to do it again.

"I have the renovation bug," she laughs.

Offers over 455,000. Contact Corum, tel: 01505 691400, www.corumproperty.co.uk

This article was first published in The Scotsman on Saturday, August 28