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Houzz Tour: A Thatched Cottage on an Irish River is Revived
A neglected cottage in eastern Ireland has been transformed into a light-filled, modern home with crisp whites and natural materials
When the owner purchased this cottage by a river, it had fallen into a state of disrepair. It had been inhabited, but was very neglected and dark, and featured low ceilings. Designer Maria Fenlon was brought in to open up the cottage to its surroundings and give it a much-needed makeover.
A stable door leads into the kitchen. This space had previously been very dark and divided in half, with a seating area on the left and a poky kitchen to the right. Fenlon took out the divide and opened up the space.
“I wanted to do something very minimal and simple that would keep the focus on the landscape,” Fenlon says. She widened the window to frame the view beautifully. “The view of the river is almost like a painting in the room,” she says.
A thick Corian worktop runs across the kitchen. The sink is under-mounted, and an integrated upstand runs all the way along the window ledge for seamless lines and a sleek finish.
Discover key kitchen storage trends for 2016
A thick Corian worktop runs across the kitchen. The sink is under-mounted, and an integrated upstand runs all the way along the window ledge for seamless lines and a sleek finish.
Discover key kitchen storage trends for 2016
A wall of full-height, handleless cupboards – barely visible as you walk into the kitchen – provides more than enough storage. The shiny surface reflects the light and adds to the spacious feel.
One side of the island serves as a substantial breakfast bar area for less formal occasions. The island layout is sociable, making entertaining easy.
One side of the island serves as a substantial breakfast bar area for less formal occasions. The island layout is sociable, making entertaining easy.
A steamer, double oven, coffee-maker and American-style fridge-freezer line one wall. Significant time went into deciding on the exact appliances to include, and Fenlon settled on these with the owner. A vertical radiator continues the lines.
A door to the left of the radiator leads into the dining room.
A door to the left of the radiator leads into the dining room.
As with the rest of the property, the idea in the dining room was to reflect the landscape. Fenlon installed bifold doors in place of a smaller window, and hung a large mirror, which she carefully positioned to capture the beauty of the outdoors.
“The walls were clad in stone on both sides,” says the designer.
Tour another cottage by a river in the Cotswolds
“The walls were clad in stone on both sides,” says the designer.
Tour another cottage by a river in the Cotswolds
“We chose to paint the internal side of the exterior wall white to keep the focus on nature,” Fenlon continues.
The dining room features custom-made wine storage, which makes brilliant use of a disused alcove. “We wanted to use every nook and cranny in this house,” she says.
The window reveals beautiful views out over the river.
Blind, custom-made by Maria Fenlon Interior Design.
The dining room features custom-made wine storage, which makes brilliant use of a disused alcove. “We wanted to use every nook and cranny in this house,” she says.
The window reveals beautiful views out over the river.
Blind, custom-made by Maria Fenlon Interior Design.
If you enter the house through the main door, you come to this hallway. To the right is a small landing, with steps that lead down into the ground-floor living room. A large mirror bounces light around, and a sideboard provides a practical spot to store keys and other items.
Ahead is a ground-floor bedroom and a staircase up to the first floor.
Ahead is a ground-floor bedroom and a staircase up to the first floor.
Fenlon used the same tiles throughout the ground floor to unify the house and create a seamless feel that flowed well. The living room had previously been very dark, in greens and reds, with a low wooden ceiling. The designer painted everything white to open up the space and boost the effect of all the natural light. A door leads out to a conservatory, which was cleaned and repainted.
Sofa, Perobell. Coffee Table, Eicholtz.
Sofa, Perobell. Coffee Table, Eicholtz.
The ground-floor bedroom was designed to be flexible. The large bespoke headboard in linen and velvet means the two beds can remain as singles, or be joined to become a double if necessary.
Rather than hanging a pendant light in the centre of the room, Fenlon wanted to do something a little different, so had it hung in the corner instead. “It throws out beautiful shadows across the room,” she says.
Pendant light, Catellani & Smith.
Rather than hanging a pendant light in the centre of the room, Fenlon wanted to do something a little different, so had it hung in the corner instead. “It throws out beautiful shadows across the room,” she says.
Pendant light, Catellani & Smith.
The ground-floor bathroom is simple and sleek. Fenlon chose reflective surfaces to enhance the feeling of space and light.
Tiles, Porcelanosa.
Browse contemporary grey bathroom ideas
Tiles, Porcelanosa.
Browse contemporary grey bathroom ideas
A second staircase runs up from the hallway between the kitchen and dining room to this first-floor living area. Fenlon built in the bookcase around the staircase.
The original pine flooring, which had started to fade and turn yellow, was sanded down and restored. Fenlon opted to paint the wooden ceiling white to make the space feel lighter and brighter. Inset uplighters in different colours add interest to the room.
The original pine flooring, which had started to fade and turn yellow, was sanded down and restored. Fenlon opted to paint the wooden ceiling white to make the space feel lighter and brighter. Inset uplighters in different colours add interest to the room.
Bifold doors lead out from the first-floor living room onto a wrought-iron balcony, which floats above the river.
The master bedroom can be accessed from the first-floor living room or from the staircase in the hallway as you enter the property.
All furniture and fittings, custom-made by Maria Fenlon Interior Design.
All furniture and fittings, custom-made by Maria Fenlon Interior Design.
The original thatched roof was kept and repaired for the project. “It wasn’t difficult to work with,” says Fenlon, “except that we did get some bats at one stage.”
Lights were installed in the garden to make the most of the beautiful outdoors after dark as well as during the day.
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What do you like about this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Lights were installed in the garden to make the most of the beautiful outdoors after dark as well as during the day.
TELL US…
What do you like about this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A professional
Location Eastern Ireland
Size 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Designer Maria Fenlon of Maria Fenlon Interior Design
This home’s setting is perhaps its greatest asset, and designer Maria Fenlon was keen to make nature the focal point. “It’s not a controlled landscape, and you really get a sense for the wild beauty of the area. That’s what interested me,” she says.
There are two entrances to the property. The one on the right leads directly into the kitchen, while the left-hand door opens onto a hallway, with a living room, bedroom and staircase leading up to the first floor.