Co Wicklow/€4.5m: A large house in a Kilquade sylvan setting makes a stylish family home, writes Anne Dempsey.A large house in a Kilquade sylvan setting makes a stylish family home, writes Anne Dempsey.
Cam Lodge, The Old Russian Village, Kilquade, Co Wicklow is a large detached property in a private sylvan setting.
A remodelling in the last four years has doubled the accommodation, adding bags of style and space to a traditional arts and crafts interior.
Out of doors there is a new pool house, new garage and sunken hard tennis court. Scheduled for auction through HOK Country on June 15th, it's being guided at €4.5 million.
The original house was built 50 years ago by the architect who created the Russian Village, a private enclave of distinctive homes. The gardens at Cam Lodge were open to the public when owned by plantswoman Patricia Maitland.
There are five reception rooms, six bedrooms and six bathrooms.
The house retains the signature timber beamed ceilings, leaded windows and panelled doors of the Russian Village and this style flows seamlessly into the new rooms which use height and light boldly to create lofty elegant spaces opening to south-facing front lawns. The old and new sections are unified in a handsome kitchen.
Of the many noteworthy rooms, the drawingroom, diningroom and kitchen stand out, while a bedroom wing on the modern first floor is exceptional.
Walking through the house from old to new, a traditional family room has a pretty 1930 pewter fireplace, square bay leaded window and attractive storage, and an original sitting room has huge leaded doors to garden and a mellow brick fireplace.
The kitchen features a Christians range of fittings, painted a soft mint green, complemented by superior integrated equipment, including an Esse cooker framed in brick and American-style fridge. The kitchen ceiling soars to exposed beams and there are double doors to the front garden. Stepping into the diningroom, you move to sleek modernity with full length bow window, and Douglas Fir beamed ceiling in intricate design.
Double doors lead to a drawingroom with windows facing south, west and north, a large stone fireplace with Jotul stove, minstrel's gallery above, and exposed beams at wall and ceiling.
Separate staircases lead to two first floors, totalling six bedrooms, four en suite.
The landing of the main bedroom is completely private. The bedroom runs the width of the house, and two timber decked balconies give front and rear garden views.
The Phillippe Starke bathroom is blond, smart and luxurious and there is a dressingroom nearby.
The pool complex includes a 12-metre heated pool, sauna, shower, changing facilities and kitchenette, while a double garage has been built in a style sympathetic to the house.
The mature and well stocked gardens include a large south-facing lawn at the front of the house, and numerous areas of beauty and interest throughout. There are two separate entrances.
