Sylvia McHardy can vividly recall the many parties held at No 33 Carden Place in Aberdeen.
If only granite walls could talk, for the traditional property has welcomed hundreds of guests over the past 40 years.
The neat rear garden has seen people sitting out in the rain in a bid to enjoy Scottish summer, while the dining room is perfect for dinner parties.
At 85 years old, Sylvia has decided that the time has come to enjoy a more sedate life and pass No 33 to a new family.
The walls are adorned with pictures of happy times, family friends in party frocks with Sylvia’s husband, John, at the centre of everything.
John sadly passed away last year but Sylvia fondly recalls his love of entertaining.
“He was this loud, funny man who loved a party,” she said.
The couple would not have moved into the four-bedroom terraced home at all had it not been for Sylvia’s clever plan of persuasion.
The Victorian west end pad previously belonged to the late Stephen Robertson MBE, the former rector of Aberdeen University and Scotland The What? star, along with his wife, Eva.
The couple were good friends with Sylvia and John and informed them of their decision to sell up.
“We had been at No 33 for plenty of parties so we knew what a lovely home it was,” said Sylvia.
“Eva told me that it would shortly be going up for sale.
“So off me and John went for a weekend to the Cairngorms.
“He always liked to tell me that I made him walk up a mountain so I could twist his arm about buying a new house.
“It worked, though.
“We could never have lived here were it not for the private sale, because we wouldn’t have been able to compete.
“It really has been a dream.”
There is spacious accommodation spread over three floors and period features have been carefully maintained.
You’ll find panelled doors and walls, deep skirtings, high ceilings, ornate cornicing, ceiling roses and sash and case windows.
To the front is a lovely sitting room, drawing room and dining room.
Each room is incredibly spacious and the drawing room offers a gorgeous fireplace.
“We had never really lived in a period property before,” said Sylvia.
“I love the living room and it was important to us that we retained the sense of character.”
There is also a bright sun room with south-facing views across the garden.
It offers the perfect spot to relax and would also be useful as a playroom for those with little ones.
The dining kitchen features a good range of storage units, with integrated appliances.
A utility room with Belfast sink completes the downstairs accommodation.
The staircase leads to the mezzanine landing, where you’ll find a charming single bedroom lying on a split level.
This room would be ideal for visitors but could easily serve as a children’s play room.
Also accessible from the mezzanine landing is the attractive bathroom, which includes a three-piece suite with separate shower enclosure.
The master bedroom offers elevated views over the rear garden. It also offers an en suite bathroom which has a quirky window seat.
The remaining two bedrooms are of good size.
“Ideally, I think a family would suit this house,” said Sylvia.
“This is a house which needs to be filled with people.
“I can remember garden parties where we sat outside under umbrellas.
“We didn’t let the rain put us off.”
The garden certainly provides the perfect backdrop, with manicured lawn and pretty borders.
It provides access to the triple garage, a rare find in the city centre.
There is space for three cars and scope to operate a workshop complete with inspection pit.
“Although I’m in the city, it has always felt very quiet here,” said Sylvia.
“It has been a lovely home and I’m so glad that Eva mentioned it was for sale all those years ago.
“I have decided that at my age, the time has finally come to let another family enjoy No 33.”
Offers should be made of more than £525,000.
Contact Savills on 01224 971110.
