Spacious home in a quiet location

WHAT a difference a year makes.

To one side iconic Blackrock Castle has inched forward on its renovation path, and to the other side the Mahon Point development is now a reality, not just a shopaholic's faint retail fantasy.

Debenhams, an 11-screen cinema, restaurants, retail park and a B&Q store all are the latest local draws and the DIY giant is the latest addition to put the Q into Mahon's queues.

Away from the madding retail crush, Sandy Lawn is on tranquil Castle Road with its riverside walks; here, no 7 is a detached 2,000 sq ft modern home on a large lavender-landscaped site, with views of the river and Dunkathel House.

Decor-wise, the interior is cool, calm and collected, almost apartment in style, but the space is more generous.

Two of its four bedrooms are en suite, and the principal reception rooms are inter-linked, with a separate TV/family room/study, plus utility and guest loo.

There's a sleek, squared-off kitchen/dining room with units by Mimo/Hans Leptien, and an Amtico floor, a bay window gives river views, and a patio door gives a sneak glimpse of Blackrock Castle a few hundred yards away.

Selling agent now is Malcolm Tyrrell of Cohalan Downing, who guides it at €625,000-plus, only marginally above last summer's brief market entry point. The house has subtle design details, like plain, flat ash panel doors with brushed steel handles, radiators have beech overs with punched steel grilles, and floors at ground level are stained broad pine boards, without door saddle interruptions, while overhead neutral carpets hold court.

The brick exterior gives little away of the interior character, and the back garden is another surprise, fully walled-in, and stuffed with raised lavender beds, segregated patio/barbecue areas, play shed and a good stretch of lawn.