Putting up a simple front

Leave the mower behind for this East Cork home, marked by a minimalist outside — and the works within, writes Tommy Barker.

THE DELL is a house which proves absolutely that less is ‘mower’.

You can leave out the lawnmower on this third-of-an-acre property, which has deliberately low-maintenance grounds and nary a blade of grass to be trimmed.

The Dell is ironically, then, named after a golf hole — the fifth at the Lahnich to be precise. The same name crops up on numerous US courses, none of which — oddly enough — appear to be largely composed of gravel and hard landscaping.

This 2,500sq ft dormer is built to a high standard and is about four years old, set at Broomfield West in Midleton, East Cork.

While the area has an amount of new home-building nearby, there’s also a string of fine, one-off period homes — one recently sold for around €1.9 million.

The area is a development hotspot — this is where Midleton’s old railway station is due to be refurbished and reopened for a new commuter line to Cork city, earmarked to open in 2008.

Selling agent for the four-bed property is Pierce Cuthbert of Property Choice in Cork city, who seeks €800,000 and says there’s nothing at all to be done to the house, where viewings kicked off on Wednesday this week.

Cuthbert points to a smart design which sees quality external finishes, with features including lots of external power points and lighting sensors, as well as decking and water features.

The vendor built the home for his retirement and obviously brought a lot of experience to bear on internal features as well, including an extensive home cinema fit-out.

“It’s an out-and-out family home, very comfortable and spacious, with two first floor bedrooms with full head height, and two ground floor bedrooms, including the master bedroom, with a sleeping wing separate off the main hall to the main living areas,” Cuthbert says.

The interior includes a hall with Victorian tiles and a cast-iron fireplace for an immediate welcoming touch, while the living room has Junkers flooring.

A large open-plan kitchen/dining room includes beech units, granite worktops, bay windows, a full array of built-ins and even a utility to the side.

The home boasts an alarm system and a video intercom for its electric front gate.

There are patio doors to a decked area, which includes a slightly raised wood-panelled ceiling with recessed lighting.

Other accommodation includes a study with a built-in desk as well as convenient broadband internet access.

The master bedroom has a large ensuite with shower and bath, plus a walk-in wardrobe.

Another ground level bedroom also has an en suite, though there’s a separate guest toilet too.

Overhead, the first floor has a family bathroom with double power shower plus two good-sized bedrooms with storage in the eaves.

The property has gas heating and a pressurised water system.

The home’s exterior is low-maintenance, with a stone-faced facade at the front and stone quoin feature to the back.