Scandinavian style home near the grounds of Malahide Castle

BUILT on the site of an old Malahide Co Dublin house is the new home Ravenswood, solidly Scandinavian in style, and fitted out to match our newly-found cosmopolitan domestic tastes.

Two houses were built on the site of the original house here, by the grounds of Malahide Castle and demesne, and a new owner is already in situ in the house next door, built along similar crisp lines, but with a different internal layout.

This house has over 4,100 sq ft of space and is part dormer in elevation. It is on the market with Robin Donovan of Lisney, who has had over 60 people through the doors on Saturday viewings this month, and is waiting for offers to trickle in.

The price guide for Ravenswood is €1.3 million, about the same as what the house next door made, and this Malahide area is north Dublin's stockbroker belt, witnessed by the sales of houses at the nearby Abington scheme where Lisney currently has a re-sale on the market at €2.4 million.

In the old money, this is £1 million entry level, and a new owner might be cheered to note that because it is a new build, stamp duty costs are considerably less than the 9% that would apply to a second hand homes at this price.

Design is by local architects Dwyer and Associates and builder was Terry Roche of Roche and Boland Construction.

Site size is a nice quarter acre, behind electronic gates with cobble lock drive. Gardens have been professionally landscaped, and the house itself has three of its five bedrooms with en-suites.

Distinctive quality touches include the use of walnut in internal joinery such as doors, staircase and gallery style landing. Windows are Rationel double glazed; the inner hall and dining room have maple floors; and the kitchen is Shaker style, with the obligatory granite worktops and stainless steel trim.

Cedar is used to trim the external fascia and soffit, adding to the natural material look of the brick facade.

Living accommodation includes a large hall with floor to ceiling glazing, a study, reception room to the front with patio doors. A family room opens to another patio and has double doors to the kitchen/dining area, and there is also a utility room off the kitchen which comes with integrated appliances.

Ravenswood is just off the Dublin Road, within walking distance of Malahide village.

Amenities nearby include sailing, a marina, golf, horse riding, GAA, tennis and soccer.