Fine & Country Feature Property - A Three Decade Love Affair
April 2007
Leaving Kirkland House after 32 very happy years will be a huge wrench for the current owners. They have painstakingly restored this elegant Victorian home, in the village of Baildon, in the heart of Bronte country. But, they say, it is time for a younger family to take on the task of ‘looking after’ their beautiful house.
When Alice and Stuart Blakey first discovered Kirkland House in 1974, it was covered in ivy, the floors and ceilings were in poor condition, and an over-zealous developer had ripped out many of the original features. But it was still love at first sight. “It sounds corny,” says Stuart, “but we knew it was just perfect for my family.”
Despite its run-down appearance, they couldsee that Kirkland House was a supremely elegant building, desperately in need of love and attention. “We found some old sale documents that referred to it as ‘a gentlemen’s residence’, “explains Stuart. “It once stood on its own in substantial grounds, with a servants’ wing and gardener’s quarters at the back. These are now separate properties, and we live in what was the main part of the house.”
The Blakey’s mission for the past three decades has been to recreate Kirkland’s grandeur and elegance. Stuart – a cabinet-maker by trade – has a great sense of design and a real eye for detail. “It took us over six months to sort out the main rooms – the dining room had to wait a while, which pleased our boys enormously as it made an excellent indoor skateboard track!”
Wherever possible, Stuart and Alice have retained (or occasionally replaced) original features, such as the mosaic tiling on the hall floor, the elaborate coving and architraves, and a walk-in ‘silver safe’ is in keeping with the grandeur of the house, although now is only used for storage. Recently the couple restored the original archway through to the kitchen area. “We weren’t quite sure if it would work,” admits Stuart, “but as soon as it was done we knew it was right. It matches the tall window arch halfway up the stairs, and is a stunning feature in the hallway.”
Stuart’s love of wood also features strongly in the house (mahogany panelling in the dining room, solid oak cabinets in the kitchen, ‘American black cherry’ units in the master bedroom).There are plenty of modern touches; the stylish luxurious bathrooms are a world away from traditional 19th century elegance, and the design of the kitchen area is very unconventional. Stuart is particularly proud of it. “We’re great entertainers, and we both love cooking but don’t want to miss out on the party, so we designed a kitchen with living space. You step up into the kitchen area, which means you can cook while hosting your guests! and in the summer they can spill out on to the patio through French windows.”
The patio itself is Kirkland’s original one, taken up and re-laid in its current position. “It’s now on two levels and great for summer barbecues.” Stuart admits that he is not much of a gardener. ”What we’ve got is perfect; a lawned area to the front and side of the house with raised flower beds.”
For lovers of the great outdoors, the house is in a wonderful position it is a short but steep walk up to Baildon village, where Baildon Moor adjoins the famous Ilkley Moor and you can walk all the way to the Lake District through delightful Wharfedale!” Wharfedale is one of the North’s best kept secrets.
Baildon Village boasts many Social Clubs and amenities including golf and rugby and several traditional pubs. Next to the house is the local wooden church which holds meeting for organisations such as scouts and cubs. Stuart, who previously lived in Saffron Walden, was surprised to learn that they had followed the American Style wooden church which had also originated from the Saffron Walden area. The church had been
completely taken apart and re-built close by.
The house is also well positioned for commuting. “There’s a station just five minutes’ down the road, regular trains to Leeds and Bradford. And it’s just 30 minutes’ drive to the Leeds Bradford airport,” says Stuart.
Now that their sons have families of their own, the Blakeys feel it is time to hand-over the care of their much-loved house, which would be ideal for both the young professional couple and indeed a growing family alike. But their mission is not over; they have just bought a ground-floor apartment in an even grander house, and it is now set to get the Blakey treatment!
