Sunny US life-style in Douglas village bungalow
EVEN if Sunnybrook didn’t have a fabulous kitchen, the detached dormer bungalow would garner a lot of attention because of its niche Douglas village location.
It’s tucked away in a small private cul-de-sac overlooking Douglas Community Park, on a road that even some Douglas residents aren’t aware exists.
Selling agent James G Coughlan says the location is so close to amenities that “a buyer could consider throwing away their car keys if they wanted to.”
If this isn’t incentive enough , there’s also the fact that the interior of this fairly typical 1970s bungalow has been comprehensively modernised and fitted with a showcase kitchen.
Owned by a builder, who since the recession has become a furniture and cabinetmaker, it’s been extended out at the back and up into the attic.
The piece de resistance is definitely the kitchen — situated in a multi-windowed rear extension, this has high gloss burgundy units, stainless steel appliances, polished floor tiles and has been finished off with a large glass chandelier.
When it was completed in 2007, it featured in the 25 Beautiful Kitchens magazine.
Auctioneer Jim Coughlan — who is guiding the property at €430,000 — says the modern interior and kitchen gives this bungalow a wow factor that you just aren’t expecting from the outside.
The cabinetmaker and his wife had bought the property in 2001 after she discovered the existence of both the cul-de-sac and the bungalow while out walking.
Bidding on another Douglas house at the time, they immediately opted for this one instead.
“One of the best things is the location overlooking the park — when you look at this you could be in the country,’’ says the cabinet maker explaining this was one of just five bungalows, all built by the same builder, in the cul-de-sac.
When they bought their property it was dark with small windows and a small kitchen.
Returning to Ireland after living in the US, the owners wanted a light and open plan space.
They made the changes in stages, taking one room at a time over a 10-year period , with the owner doing most of the work himself.
The completion of a 500 sq ft attic conversion a few years ago brought the square footage up to almost 1,960 sq ft.
This includes a utility room and en suite for the master bedroom which went in the extension to the back.
The owners made substantial alterations to the layout and created a large living room at the rear.
Oak floored like most of the rooms, it also has an oak panelled chimneybreast with a stove, and built-in bookshelves and cabinets, all the handiwork of the owner.
The ultra-modern kitchen behind this is bright enough to qualify as a sunroom, as it has a large glass arch in the cathedral style ceiling in addition to numerous windows.
Gleaming with gloss units, black polished tiles and white walls, this has an array of stainless steel appliances including a double range and US-style fridge.
The owners say they bought the appliances first, and designed the kitchen around them.
The large chandelier, a family heirloom which belonged to the owner’s mother, will go with them when they downsize.
The master bedroom at the rear has wall-to-wall walnut and cream gloss units as well as two matching cupboards.
The bedroom is lit by a large roof light and is open plan with an en suite.
This has porcelain marble effect tiled flooring, his and hers basins, walnut paneling and a Jacuzzi bath as well as an extra large shower.
The property also has a main bathroom with a large shower and blue mosaic tiles, a utility room/ with a guest WC.
To the front there’s a bedroom with Shaker style units, a room used as a dining room but intended as a bedroom and a small bedroom/study.
An oak stairs leads to the upstairs which has two very large rooms. One is an L-shaped games room with three large roof lights, and built-in shelving. The other, slightly smaller, attic room can be used as an office.
Fitted with double glazed PVC windows, Sunnybrook has oil-fired central heating and a D1 energy rating.
Outside the main garden space is at the sides.
To the right there’s a gravelled parking area with a detached garage at the back.
To the left there’s a lawned area with a cherry tree and a glasshouse where the owners grow tomatoes in season.
The cabinetmaker also likes gardening and has planted raspberry bushes and apple trees.
Mr Coughlan expects the location — 60 metres from Tesco, 30m from the Park and just 300m from Douglas village centre — to prove a very big draw.
“You may find properties that are well located in Douglas and you will find ones with a high quality finish — but it’s very hard to find a house that is both,” says Mr Coughlan.
Likely to surpass both expectations and its asking price
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