House of the week

YOU might have to live in the suburbs for an easy family life - but, if you don’t want the full, predictable suburban house package that goes with it, cast an envious eye over this home called the Hedges.

One of the original farmhouses in Cork’s now much-enclosed Bishopstown suburb, it once had acres of productive lands stretching out behind it. But, they got sold off and developed, in the mid-1900s, leaving this, ‘the original of the species’ behind on a prime, corner quarter acre site.

Now up for sale, it has of course moved with the times, has been extended, and has — once again — productive plots beside it, albeit raised veg and herb beds. Yet, while surrounded by housing estates, it has proudly, and tastily, done its own thing. And it has kept some faith with its farmhouse past and character, being given a sort of salubrious Laura Ashley decor twist.