Putting the more in Barrymore

Rose Martin looks at a Glanmire house extension with a touch of class.

YOU get a whole lot of house for €475,000 at Barrymore Gardens — in fact, two for the price of one.

Number 8 started out as a modest three-bedroom semi in a lovely, quiet cul-de-sac. Then it had a garage conversion, a sun room extension and attic development, followed finally by a complete mirror image addition.

Which means the property now for sale is a massive, 2,200 square foot, four-bedroom semi in the leafy end of Glanmire, Cork.

Just past Grandon’s Car Sales at Sallybrook, the house looks out over green fields and is one of just a few in the larger Barrymore estate. It’s been put on the market because the acute case of extensionitis contracted by its owners has now turned into full-blown, self-build disease.

So, the double-sided number 8 hits the early spring market with Michael Downey of ERA Downey McCarthy.

And it’s in pristine condition, not only because its chatelaine is just out of an interior design diploma, but also because she’s neat and ordered.

This house is spick and span, with good colour choices, tasteful arrangements and bedrooms that are way above average.

It’s a very good house to show and Downey enthuses about its quality and the accommodation. There’s a main living room to one side of the entrance hallway (extended by a porch with double doors) and a double-sized sitting/dining room on the other. The dining end turns into a scrupulous maple kitchen with a sit-at island and also connects to the conservatory. This, in turn, leads to a south-facing deck, circling a low-maintenance area of grass and shrubs in a pleasing composition.

A second set of doors lead through to the kitchen and its adjoining utility, which also comes with a WC.

The former box bedroom of the original semi has given way to an extended staircase and its windows allow plenty of light onto the airy landing.

Good lighting schemes and a soft colour palette gives this usually anonymous space character, while leading on to three big bedrooms. The master bedroom is in the new wing, so to speak, and is very private as it’s the only room on the right-hand side of the house. It’s a long and generous space, with recessed lighting, a walk-in wardrobe and a contemporary suite.

The second bedroom is a little princess room, and bedroom three has a touch of the Hamptons, with its crisp blue and white linen.

The second floor has a double bedroom with interesting alcove storage to one side and a functioning study/office at the other, divided by a main bathroom. This floor is ideal for teenagers or for use as a full master suite.

Finished to a tee, No 8 is a trader-upper at a reasonable level in a good suburban location.