Otford House, Lauder Road, Earlston, Berwickshire, TD4

Otford House has an impressive entrance and immediately sets the style of the house. The generously sized vestibule has a tiled floor laid in an intricate geometric pattern in a palette of brown, beige, blue, green and white. The walls are mahogany panelled, coordinating with door heights, and visually reduce the generous ceiling heights within the circulation areas. The eye however, is immediately drawn to the glazed entrance screen and sweep of the oval staircase beyond. The entrance screen is a masterclass in craftsmanship incorporating timber carving above the door and stained glass panels, with subtle floral details depicted in green and pink. The vestibule is the prelude to the inner hallway.

The sweeping timber staircase in the inner hallway is the gem of the home and is an exquisite example of master craftsmanship. The curves of the staircase and ceiling details entice the eye through the hallway and upwards. The lounge, dining room, sitting room, breakfasting kitchen and WC are all directly accessed from the entrance hallway. The breakfasting kitchen is located adjacent to number of ancillary spaces, and a second service staircase leads to store rooms on the first floor.

The extensive display of traditional craftsmanship, the use of quality materials, asymmetry and individuality are all features of Otford House. All of the principle rooms on the ground and first floor are well proportioned and have generous ceiling heights. Throughout the house there are wall and ceiling details include ceiling roses, cornice details, picture rails and other plasterwork details on the ceiling or upper walls exuding quality and history. There are also wonderful fireplaces, mantles and over-mantles. The period fireplaces in the dining room and sitting room are both individual and great examples of craftsmanship in the arts and crafts style.
The lounge and dining room are both located to the front of the house, are dual aspect and have views of the mature garden planting. The elegant lounge has a large bay window and gives direct access to the orangery. The opulent dining room has a magnificent period fireplace, mantle and mirrored over-mantle, and it has recently had a wood burning stove installed. The sitting room is located to the rear of the house and is smaller in size. The period white fireplace, mantle and over mantle is more understated and has elegant display nooks. This room would also make an excellent home office or bedroom suitable for multigenerational living. The magnificent orangery creates a transition between the house and the garden and is a wonderful way to enjoy Otford throughout the year.

The breakfasting kitchen, utility room and laundry require significant modernisation. It may be possible to connect the dining room, kitchen, ancillary spaces and the garden subject to the usual permissions being obtained.

The sweeping timber staircase leads you to the generously sized mahogany panelled first floor landing, continuing the period detailing from the hallway below. The staircase incorporates a feature stained glass window with subtle floral details depicted in green and red highlighting and warming the mahogany panels.

There are four very large double bedrooms, a study, a bathroom and a separate WC located on the first floor. Bedrooms one and two are both dual aspect. Bedrooms one, three and four all have fireplaces with glazed inset tiles and simplified cornice detailing. Bedroom two is extremely large and has a bay window, a more elaborate fireplace and plaster detailing. The current study could be repurposed.

From the laundry room downstairs, a second more functional staircase takes you to a large room currently used for storage. This room could be repurposed to have many uses where an element of separation would be advantageous such as a studio, home office or media room.