A clean-living, laid-back style

Rose Martin says north Cork house is modern and architect-designed.

YOU need to see the front and the back of this Cooleens, Charleville house to appreciate its full impact. It’s a beauty. Not only is the design clean and clever, but the interior lives up to the promise of the exterior — a case of owner and architect in harmony.

The property was designed by local architect, Pat Boyce, and it’s five minutes from the north Cork town in a lovely, rural location.

The asking price of €595,000 (which includes furniture and fittings), through auctioneers Sherry FitzGerald Walsh, compares well with city prices, while the location, close to Charleville, may tempt Limerick commuters looking for a country home.

This is a modern house with a modern interior — but it’s not precious and has a laid-back, comfortable feel.

Using the wide barges and simple fenestration of the traditional cottage, it’s innovation is the incorporated sunroom and the integrated, private apartment.

This could be its strong selling point for a generational family or it could provide a comfortable inducement for a full-time nanny.

Either way, buyers are walking into a complete package that includes above-average furniture, (the sun room suite being a case in point) and a fine, functional kitchen.

The ground floor is one big open space, with solid oak flooring, recessed lighting and wooden window blinds.

The sitting room is a distinct area running into the kitchen, which comes with modern units and appliance and an island/breakfast bar.

The formal dining end faces the sunroom, which is a step down from the living space.

With one glazed wall and a fully glazed roof, it opens onto a deck that harmonises with the cedar clad gable in which it’s set.

Bedrooms one and two are at ground-floor level, along with a bathroom and one en suite and overhead; there are three more rooms.

The main bedroom is en suite and a second room has a walk-in wardrobe, while a main bathroom services two of the rooms.

The self-contained flat has a kitchen/living room of 17’ by 11’ and an en-suite bedroom.

Standing on a site of an acre, which is paddock fenced, this Cooleens house has a stone wall entrance, electric gates with security, a tarmac driveway and fully landscaped grounds.

And the views are superb.