Life at The Longhouse: A catch-up with Chapelton resident, Elaine Gordon

Chapelton has quickly become one of the most desirable places to live in Aberdeenshire, blending the charm of a traditional town with the benefits of modern living. From a tight-knit community to picturesque surroundings, Chapelton offers its residents the perfect opportunity to put their stamp on a new build home in Aberdeenshire. 

Elaine Gordon, Chapelton resident and owner of The Longhouse, has done just that! With a passion for interior design and impeccable attention to detail, Elaine has documented her journey of turning her Snowdrop Developments’ home into a warm, welcoming and stylish space on her instagram account – @ourlonghouse. 

In this Q&A, Elaine shares her experience of living in Chapelton, offers insights into how she approached her redecorating journey and how Chapelton has inspired The Longhouse’s aesthetic. Whether you’re considering a move to Chapelton or simply looking for some decor inspiration, Elaine’s story will be sure to spark ideas and showcase the possibilities of a new build home in Chapelton… 

What inspired you to start your “Life @ The Longhouse” Instagram account? 

“Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve been a huge fan of the TV programme, Grand Designs. The home transformations and design ideas on the show sparked my passion for home decor and DIY, and is one of the reasons why I created The Longhouse Instagram account. I wanted to have a space where I could connect with like-minded people, pick up DIY hacks and follow other people’s renovation projects, as well as showcase our own journey.

“Over time, I plan to expand the account beyond just home decor. My husband and I travel a lot, so I’m excited to share our travel experiences, as well as incorporating some health and fitness content into the account, which is my main passion.” 

Can you share the story behind choosing a Snowdrop home, did anything immediately stand out?

“In 2017, we travelled around Australia and fell in love with the big, open-plan homes. Australian homes are quite different from UK homes in that they’re focused around usable space – there seemed to be more thought put into the design and how the space is used than what we were used to in the UK. 

“During lockdown, we were living in a flat with no outdoor space, which was really difficult. We spent a lot of time at Glen Clova Lodges during that period, where we fell in love with the longhouse style – vaulted ceilings, wood cladding and being surrounded by nature. That experience shaped what we wanted in our future home, and having open spaces, countryside views and a thoughtful design become non-negotiables for us when house hunting. 

“We had visited Chapelton regularly since 2016 and absolutely loved the town, but were struggling to find a house type that ticked all the boxes. Then, on a weekend away to the Lake District, Snowdrop Developments posted 3D images of The Talisker house type design online. It was perfect and met all of our needs – and by the end of the weekend, we had put down a deposit on our new home!

“Snowdrop was completely flexible with the design, and allowed us to make bespoke changes to the internal layout. My husband, Graham, is a structural designer by trade and worked closely with Sammi, the Snowdrop architect, to tweak and re-design some of the spaces to suit us perfectly.”

What aspects of your home do you love the most, and why? 

“For me, I love that every part of our house is usable space. I think that’s so important when selecting a home, and there isn’t a single room that doesn’t serve a function or get used regularly.

“The open-plan layout is one of the features I appreciate the most. It creates a real sense of spaciousness and allows a seamless flow between different areas. Whether I’m cooking in the kitchen, Graham is watching TV in the living room or the dogs are running up and down the house, everyone remains connected. It’s perfect for our lifestyle. 

“My absolute favourite feature is the large gable-end window. We’ve placed a sofa right in front of it and the view is always changing, whether that be the weather or the changing of crop fields and livestock. The amount of natural light that floods the house is also incredible, it brightens up the entire space and creates a really warm and inviting atmosphere. 

“Graham and I also do hybrid working, so having an office space above the garage has been a game-changer. It helps keep our work life separate from home life, making the house extremely functional and the perfect place for work, rest and play.”

How do you approach home renovation/design, do you have any favourite themes/styles?

“I usually start by scanning Pinterest and Instagram for initial ideas – that’s where I get a lot of my inspiration. I also love spending afternoons in furniture stores, like Andersons of Inverurie, browsing through fabrics and wallpaper to get a real feel for how different textures and patterns might work in a space. 

“In terms of style, I wouldn’t say I stick to one particular theme, but I do love the glamorous and bold aesthetic of Art Deco. When it came to decorating The Longhouse, I decided to take a risk by blending Art Deco with country chic, which surprisingly went really well – as long as you use a common colour palette to tie everything together! 

“In the last few years, I’ve found myself getting more daring with design choices, particularly when it comes to incorporating rich, bright colours.” 

Have you faced any challenges in your renovation journey, how did you overcome them?

“With our house being positioned at the top of a hill in Chapelton, we can often be hit with wind from the sea. Even when it’s a beautiful, sunny day, the wind can make it difficult to sit out and enjoy the garden.

“To solve this, we decided to invest in a glass pergola. It features fixed glass panels on three sides and sliding doors that open fully on one side. The roof can also be opened up, which allows us to enjoy the outdoors while still being sheltered. Not only does it blend beautifully with our home, but it’s also transformed the garden into a space we can enjoy in all weather conditions. 

“We’ve also added heaters so that we can use the pergola in the winter months. It’s now the perfect spot for entertaining, and I’ve already hosted my first afternoon garden party with the rest of the ladies living on Brooke Lane!”

What is your favourite thing about living in Chapelton, do you get inspiration from the town’s surroundings?

“The strong sense of community is my favourite thing about Chapelton. Nobody passes you by without saying hello – even the dogs! There’s a warmth and friendliness here that makes it feel really special. 

“We also love the peaceful surroundings. With both sea and countryside views right on our doorstep, it’s such a contrast to the hustle and bustle of city life. Living in Chapelton has brought a more relaxed pace to our lives, and it’s completely changed how we spend our time. For us, staying in has become the new going out!” 

What future plans do you have for The Longhouse that you are excited about? 

“Wallpaper! It might sound ridiculous, but I absolutely love wallpaper. I’ve been following Roisin from this year’s Grand Designs Masters on Instagram, and her wallpaper ideas are amazing. 

“Right now, the white walls in our home feel a bit sterile and are lacking personality, so I’m excited to introduce more warmth and character by incorporating wallpaper. I’ve already come up with ideas for framed wallpaper art in the living room, which will add some flair without detracting from the grandness of our pitched roofs.” 

Looking to put your stamp on a new build home in Chapelton? Discover our range of homes here and start your own renovation journey in this popular Aberdeenshire town…

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