Interiors: Heiton Mill House, Kelso

For years Lindy and Tony Vipond watched the water mill next to their Borders home fall further and further into decay. "Whenever we had heavy snow, Tony thought the roof would cave in," says Lindy.

The couple moved to the Borders 22 years ago and ran Tweedside Tackle, a successful country sports shop in Kelso. After selling the business they decided to save the Heiton Mill House - perched on the banks of the Teviot - from degenerating into a pile of rubble.

In its new guise as a desirable holiday home sleeping up to ten, it's hard to imagine the state the mill (built in 1752 and disused since 1959) was in before the couple got started.

Anyone walking across its upper floors stood a high chance of falling through them. Tony suggested knocking the mill down to build something smaller, but local builder, Stuart Adams, assured the couple that the exterior walls were sound.

For three-and-a-half years Lindy, with no prior experience, project managed the renovation and held everything together when Tony unexpectedly became unwell.

Re-interpretation of the internal space took account of the building's propensity to flood.

"We haven't used the bottom of the mill at all," says Lindy. Accommodation is on the upper level, accessed by stone stairs at the front and metal stairs at the rear, and within the roof space.

Before it could regain its dignity the building was gutted; the slate roof was completely replaced, and electrics, plumbing and a new oil central heating system were installed. There's also a wood pellet stove in the living area and with newly upgraded insulation (double the specified requirements) the building retains heat well.

External stonework was re-pointed, while glass became integral to the new look of the mill and its riverside setting.

Original windows were replaced and new apertures added, while almost the entire gable end that faces over the water has been glazed, allowing the living area and bedroom above to apparently hover over the river. In the bedroom the glazing sits below the eaves, so lying in bed with the river at eye level feels like being afloat.

The couple looked in to harnessing water to generate power, but this would have been complex and too costly.

"We were hardly able to keep any original workings," says Lindy. The two original iron wheels were removed years ago, but there are some historic features, including pieces of a metal shaft that once protruded through the external wall as part of a pulley system. They are preserved in sections and part of the kitchen ceiling. While separate from the living area that occupies much of the mill's lower level, the kitchen feels a part of this space, because of the way light is directed around the building.

"The glazing filters light from south-facing windows to the north-facing kitchen," explains Lindy.

Freestanding kitchen units from Ikea mingle comfortably with a granite- topped sink unit custom made by the couple's carpenter to complement the new window shutters he made for the building's windows. The carpenter also created shelves with slate-clad surfaces in the large walk-in pantry.

The couple used local trades and suppliers wherever they could. Internal timber doors were made in Berwick, and DMI Mechanical Engineers in Kelso, which dealt with all structural issues, made the new staircase and balustrade.

Bathroom fittings for all five en suites and the downstairs toilet came from Bathroom Planet in Galashiels, and a reclaimed pine specialist in Kelso supplied furniture for the bedrooms.

Mercifully, a magnificent original timber beam running through the living area and kitchen was salvageable. And fortunately it was sandblasted after the gable wall was knocked out, and before the new glazing was installed.

"A cloud of dust floated out of the building and down the river," recalls Lindy.

A new copper pipe running the beam's length solved a problem that arose after the interior was complete.

"Having discovered we needed a sprinkler system, the plumbers and builders installed the copper pipe, which complements the industrial nature of the building, and avoided the need to rip the walls apart," explains Lindy.

Using a little brush, Lindy sealed all the pine floorboards, laid throughout most of the building.

The mill's lower level also accommodates one of five spacious bedrooms and a generously proportioned utility room, which is kitted out with a hot cupboard that's ideal for wet gear from fishing, shooting or golfing (the couple own trout fishing rights on a lengthy stretch of the river, while additional salmon fishing permits can be arranged with Floors Castle).

Each bedroom is an exercise in pared-down style, with white Egyptian cotton sheets contrasting earth-coloured walls (Chalky Downs by Dulux) and those pine floors. All five en suites - a mix of shower rooms and bathrooms - are floored in Dalsouple rubber, supplied and fitted by a firm in Alnwick.

Neutrally toned tiles were sourced in Berwick, while storage, accessories and mirrors are a mix of Ikea and John Lewis purchases. One bath has a splendid view of the river, a deep tiled windowsill alongside making the perfect parking place for a gin and tonic. Cosy bathrobes - brown for the boys and white for the girls - and thick towels from The White Company are laid out for guests.

On the upper landing a little office has been created alongside a giant framed map of the world. However, work is hopefully the last thing on guests' minds. From the table tennis table in the mill's little outbuilding to fishing and off-roading, not to mention easy access to the coast and Edinburgh, there's plenty to entertain visitors.

Although it proved to be a huge learning curve, Lindy and Tony are glad they persevered with this project. The couple have succeeded in securing the future of this once crumbling building, and are relishing the opportunity to welcome guests to the rejuvenated space. Now there's just the small matter of the derelict steading across the yard…

For more details, tel: [phone], www.heitonmillhouse.co.uk

This article was first published in The Scotsman, 22 January, 2011