New heights in design

THE design impetus was the result of trawling internet sites, the interior design was the client’s own, and the house eventually took “three flogging years” to build.

But it was worth it all, says vendor, Kieran Curtin, of Greenhills, Crecora, Co Limerick.

Despite creating an unusual, almost manorial property, he swears he will never build another house again.

While it's now a handsome building, he made the obvious mistake of the amateur, choosing a complicated, but entirely personal design.

"Anything off the beaten track and you're screwed on time and milked on price," he says emphatically.

Kieran went through a number of builders until he finally found the man for the job or rather, the men for the job.

He also employed the services of a well-known Limerick structural engineer, (who sells houses by reputation alone, according to Kieran), and whose attention to detail saw off a few contractors.

However, Kieran is immensely proud of the end result and is only sorry that, through circumstances, he's no longer able to live at the manor.

The Curtins unwittingly chose the most complicated roof structure imaginable; so much so that both structural engineer and builder photographed the rame before the slates went on.

"It was a feather in their caps: a roof like this doesn't come along often.

It was almost a work of art," says Kieran.

It gives the house its look: high vaulted ceilings and odd corners and curves make this an extravagant and entirely unpredictable property.

Ceilings that are 20 foot high, and 300-year-old oak beams create immediate impact, as does the minstrels gallery on the upper level. The height in both reception rooms is possible because of the gables to the right hand side of the house.

These are open to the apex and one has a triangular, stained glass insert filtering light in multi-coloured shafts onto the formal living room floor.

The facade is low maintenance and the windows are oak pvc, and a plain, but substantial oak door frame is fitted with bevelled clear glass. The doorway leads into a small porch before opening into the main living space.

When the Curtins planned this house they didn't want any unused spaces so they decided on a flow of apartments, linking one to the other.

The living room has entry directly off the porch and comes with staircase to the upper level.

A high, brick clad firebreast and vaulting beams are a feature here and lead onto the dining end of the room.

The kitchen is a big, rectangular space fitted in streamlined, walnut units and quality appliances.

The living rooms are to the right of the main entrance and to the left is the master bedroom.

Set off by a half- moon bay window, this room is also big and comes with a walk-in wardrobe and en suite bathroom.

Apart from a guest loo and utility, there is a playroom at this level.

The remaining three of four bedrooms are on the first floor, and each has an interesting shape.

Free-standing furniture is used in place of fitted units and all floors are wooden.

The three-quarter acre site is edged, tarred, planted with trees and has paddock fencing to the rear and matching seven foot walls at the front with automatic gates.

A fully fitted garage is included.

JC Gubbins of O'Connor Murphy Gubbins in charge of the sale and he's inviting offers of €800,000.