Master class in The Heights finish

THERE’S builder’s finish and then there’s a finish by a builder. Big difference.

Number 2, The Heights, Killeens, Co Cork, is the home of a master carpenter/perfectionist and everything is done to the nth term.

That’s why for a house of 2,500 sq ft you’ll only find three bedrooms and two reception rooms: But they are all big rooms.

An almost new bungalow, this house has a cantilevered roof to provide a portico for the main entrance, and the owners went for a slate and stone finish, giving the house a bit more oomph.

On a high site with south-westerly views over the Blarney Walk and all the way to Cloghroe, the low roof levels were part of the planning conditions. However, even though there are now velux windows allowed to the front, these houses have scope for attic extensions and the hallway has enough room for a staircase.

The beauty of the layout is the open-plan kitchen/ dining/ living room which runs from back to front and occupies the southern corner of the property.

The kitchen/ dining area is raised with units on three sites and banisters separate the dining from the living area.

One level down the living room is a big space of 24’ by 16’, (the overall dimensions are 40’ by 16’) and has a lovely, mellow brick fireplace at its centre.

Simple but effective, it’s finished with a plain chunk of white oak and fitted with a big cast iron stove. Flooring, like the rest of the house, is in oak and the living room also has a bay window overlooking the front garden.

The dining area has double doors leading out to the sunny side garden which also has the best views and which is crying out for a deck, the owners say.

They had intended putting one in, but now that they’re upping sticks to the home of the deck, Australia, they’re leaving this little addition to the newcomers. The other half of the house is given over to bedrooms and the formal sitting room has a good space.

The bedrooms are on the eastern side and are really big. The master is ensuite, with a full wall of solid cherry units and again, there’s a bay window overlooking the front garden.

Surprisingly, the rear bedroom is even bigger at 18’ by 14’ and the small bedroom is a good double by normal standards. These rooms share an extra large bathroom with corner bath and finished tiling. It also includes a double shower. Gardens are laid out, but at the early stage.

Set in a quiet crescent of just seven houses, this property is five minutes from Cork city and the same again to Blarney village.

It’s on offer at €675,000 through Micheal Downey of ERA Downey McCarthy Murphy.