An Isle Ornsay on the Isle of Lewis

The Isle Ornsay.  Work started on this house in early 2005 and was completed and ready to move into in July.  SkyeHomes went to visit to see the finished house and to take the photos shown here.

As you enter the house, this is the first part you see.  John has opted to put his rather grand dining table and chairs towards the front but it is a very versatile space with many options on how you could use it.

Looking back and upwards towards the balcony.  The painted woodwork provides a clean cut and very classical finish throughout the house.

This photo shows how the balcony area works.  It makes for a very striking feature and adds to the general feeling of space and light.

This is the area underneath the balcony.  While the stair is tucked into the corner of the room, it still remains a feature of the house too.

To the front of the balcony you can look back down to the dining area below.  French doors to the front can be opened up for semi Al Fresco dining. 

This shows the very generous lounge where there's plenty of space for a large stove and fire surround.  The wooden beam across the top of the fireplace is a piece of Douglas Fir from Lews Castle grounds.  The tree was one of many planted by Sir James Matheson.

And from the lounge, by opening up the double doors, you can look straight across the dining area to the kitchen beyond, showing the full width of the house.  This photo also shows off the beautiful Chinese slate floor which John chose for the whole of the ground floor of his house.

John acquired his stunning kitchen from a company called Jonathan Avery Design who are based in Edinburgh.  The freestanding units compliment the house design beautifully and create an authentic traditional look.

Can you honestly say that you wouldn't want a kitchen of these proportions?  Plenty space here for chatting to your guests while you cook without any danger of anyone getting in the way. 

If you have a large kitchen, then you can have a large Aga in it.  This four oven brilliant red version is a real talking point as well as being an effective traditional cooker.

You can tell by the gleaming hot plate covers that John takes great pride in his Aga.  And why not, it deserves to be cherished.

Once you have reached the first floor of the house, you can look back down over the stair.  John has managed to get hold of an old fashioned phone, complete with rotating dial.  Not something you see many of nowadays. 

The balcony area lines up well to look out of the velux windows.  Another light and and airy space linking the upper floor rooms.  It's also large enough to accomodate a desk to make an open plan office.  Much better than being stuck in the tiniest room in the house!

The main bathroom for the house has a fabulous roll top bath and more of that lovely Chinese slate.

John decided he wanted to splash out in the bathroom and went for this stunning stained glass window instead of a more conventional opaque glass.