The eggs factor

A daily basket of free-range eggs is the organic extra that comes with Carolyn and Bill Johnstone's Kirkintilloch home, but far from being a Good Life style smallholding, the couple's detached Victorian villa is a refined mix of contemporary sophistication and period detail.

Forthbank is very much an indoor/outdoor space with the boundaries blurred between the sociable layout of the interior and the sizeable garden. It's a house that lends itself to casual entertaining, special occasions, as well as a gathering place for Cameron and Iain's friends."Although we're only five minutes from the local supermarket, gathering your own eggs is a novelty. If the future owners want fresh eggs every day, we are more than happy to include the chickens in the sale."The house may be Victorian, but it has been upgraded by the Johnstones who have re-slated the roof, replaced windows where appropriate, as well as installing a new kitchen and bathrooms.The lounge is more classic in character, with a traditional fireplace, intricate cornicing and stained glass folding doors depicting Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley."There are quite a few individual features, such as the cabinets in the lounge, made from wood that Mr Fletcher brought back from Australia; open them and you'll find the Brisbane stamp inside."Different rooms are about different moments and, when open, the doors allow the mahogany panelled dining room to be incorporated into the lounge, while a through-the-looking-glass archway intertwines the dining room with a curved sun-room.On the other hand, the breakfasting area off the kitchen, with its large picture window looking on to the garden, is one of the family's favourite gathering places.Forthbank is on sale for offers over pound(s)390,000. Contact Slater Hogg & Howison on 0141 772 6488When the family first moved in, the lounge carpets were lifted and the original wooden flooring reclaimed and enhanced with stenciled Celtic knot borders. A local reproduction plaster company restored the original ceiling roses and cornicing.In terms of reconciling the architectural character of the house with the demands of contemporary living, the sizeable bathrooms gave the Johnstones the freedom to inject modern vitality without intruding on the essence of the property."As several of our neighbours were already keeping chickens, we decided to join in with three of our own," says Carolyn. "We have a large established garden with lots of mature trees and natural raised beds, so they are free to roam.With four bedrooms and a family bathroom laid out on the upper level, the generous space fits round a high traffic family routine as well as providing everyone who lives there with a degree of privacy."As we have a sitting room at the front of the house, as well as a family room off the kitchen with French doors opening to a decked area, we can close the door on the lounge and save it for special occasions, not unlike a Victorian parlour," points out Carolyn.Forthbank sits opposite a church in the long-established Westermains area of Kirkintilloch. It was built by a Mr Fletcher for a member of his own family. As the local builder, he was responsible for several of the properties in this area."

Forthbank is on sale for offers over pound(s)390,000. Contact Slater Hogg & Howison on 0141 772 6488