Five-year wait for stunning Perthshire farmhouse renovation

SIX years ago, Michelle Wilkinson and David Newton sold their Islington townhouse (a mammoth renovation) to head north with two small children. They planned to rent in Perthshire, but struggled to find a suitable property and instead found themselves looking to buy.

They were drawn to Arnbog, a five-bedroom farmhouse close to Meigle, which was liveable but with potential.

After the renovations in London, Michelle and David needed a breather. It would be five years and another baby before the couple tackled major work here, but the time lapse proved useful.

“We refined our plans,” says Michelle, admitting that some of their earlier ideas wouldn’t have worked. The scale of the house allowed the family to continue living here throughout the 18-month project. “We were very logical,” says Michelle, “working from the top down.”

The children’s bedrooms took priority. The Jack-and-Jill rooms that account for two of five bedrooms allow the children’s play to flow seamlessly. Sons Rudy and Magnus have bunks in one room, while daughter Imogen occupies the interconnecting room. A big map hangs on the boys’ bedroom wall and square-holed shelving from Ikea was positioned horizontally to create handy pigeonholes.

The couple moved the kitchen as they felt it was too small; it now opens to a breakfast room, offering a more flexible space. Michelle opted for a sleek, handle-less look, teamed with vintage 1960s lights and a striking red Marmoleum floor.

A wood-burning stove was relocated to the drawing room along with a surround salvaged from the sitting room. The sitting room and drawing room are front facing and weren’t being used by the family. The couple thought there had been a doorway between the sitting room and adjacent dining room, and created a new relationship between the two by removing a stud wall that formed the back of a deep cupboard.

The six-metre-long back hallway served well for deliveries. David, who works from home, now has a compact office with a concealed desk there.

There are five different colours in the house, and even the “white” rooms are a warmer tone. The grey Michelle chose for spaces including the kitchen, breakfast room and drawing room looks subtly different in each.

Preferring a cohesive finish, Michelle had woodwork and radiators painted the same colour as the walls.

She and David have pulled off the tricky task of blending a style-conscious approach with family-friendly comfort. Some pieces transferred well from their last home, including the kitchen table and chairs. The red leather suite lends a warm glow to the sitting room and was bought for the space, as was the table in the dining room.

White leather makes an appearance in the master bedroom with a super king size bed from Marks & Spencer.

“The whole family fits in, with space left over,” says Michelle. She loves the glass-fronted cabinets in this room, which her mum bought during a trip to The Scottish Arts & Antiques Centre at Abernyte. Her mum was also good enough to pass on a large antique wardrobe. Sanded, painted and lined with patterned wallpaper, it has been granted a new lease of life.

Offers in excess of £580,000. Contact Knight Frank (0131-222 9600, www.knightfrank.com)