Contemporary comfort in family home in East Cork

Imagination and elbow grease have combined to create this stylish and functional, contemporary family home.

Dungourney, East Cork €335,000

Size: 167 sq m (1,800 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

BER: B3

Best Feature: Loving old stone country barn restoration overseen by architect owner

It took both imagination and elbow grease, to transform a derelict stone barn in Dungourney into one family’s dream home.

The owners, a Scottish student of architecture and his Irish wife invested two years in the project, working to preserve the exterior and transform the interior into smart, functional and stylish living space.

When they bought it in 2011, the 19th Century building had a hole in the roof, rotting timberwork, boarded up windows and was full of rubbish.

Now it’s a highly individual 1,800 sq ft house with four bedrooms, all modern conveniences and a high B3 energy rating.

The owners did a lot of the work themselves, hiring consultants when they needed them. Once the interior was gutted, the barn was fitted with an internal frame, which was needed for a high level of insulation.

A timber clad extension was added at the rear and the building was fitted with kiln dried Douglas fir ceiling beams and a new roof.

One of the barn’s most striking features is the high number of windows and doors.

In its original state, the building had three arched doorways and 13 small windows with red brick quoins at the front as well as a side door and window and three windows and an arched doorway at the rear.

To this the owners have added patio doors, a window and a door on the extension as well as 11 Velux windows in the roof.

The exterior stonework has remained unchanged but the interior is now thoroughly modern and brightly lit, with timber and tiled flooring and white walls.

The front door on the right leads in to a contemporary kitchen with sky blue handleless units, integrated appliances and black countertops.

This has a double height ceiling and a stylish Italian chrome and timber spiral staircase leading up to the first floor. The dining room is behind the kitchen in the extension.

The owners have used the extension space to create a small utility room and have also put a bathroom and three bedrooms at ground level. The master bedroom has an en suite, grey laminate flooring and double doors opening at the front.

On the first floor there is a galleried living room overlooking the kitchen. Fitted with reclaimed maple flooring this is a long room with exposed ceiling beams and a multitude of windows.

Next to this is bedroom number four, a maple floored room with an en suite and its own entrance, accessed from a set of steps at the side of the building. The property had gas heating which is underfloor at ground level.

Relocating for work reasons, the owners are sad to be leaving a property in which hey have invested so much time and imagination.

It’s gone on the market with a guide of €335,000 and is being sold jointly by Sherry FitzGerald O’Donovan and CCM Property

Located at Castlequarter , The Stone Barn is within a short walk from Dungourney village and is a 10-minute drive from Midleton. Claire O’Sullivan of Sherry FitzGerald O’Donovan says the interest level in this very distinctive property has been high.

“It’s being viewed by people who are looking for a spacious family home in the area and also by buyers who are attracted by its individuality and its high energy rating.”

VERDICT: Imaginatively blends old stone with contemporary comforts – it has character and style.