“We actually moved for a pony as we were spending so much money on livery each week – it made more sense to build,” says Aveline Cullen of her home, Ferndale on Chapel Road in Delgany. The elegant house stands on almost an acre and comes with stables, a coach house and paddock.
Though first instincts might be that this is a period property, it is anything but. First off it is a timber-frame construction built in 2004 and has a B3 energy rating. This is impressive considering the property measures 372sq m (4,000sq ft), has a very large atrium-style hallway and two fireplaces – one of which is gas, while the second accommodates a wood-burning stove.
It was designed by owners Aveline and John Cullen, who run a design consultancy business. The Cullens then engaged architect Stephen Newell to bring their ideas and design to life. "We also had the most amazing builder, Noel Bambrick [of Kilston Construction]. His attention to detail was amazing and we would have a meeting with him every morning at eight and catch up with him again that afternoon at five," says Aveline.
Just inside the imposing double-height hallway, an oculus window peers down from the roofline over a cantilevered staircase that has an air of Scarlett O' Hara to it. "It was John's idea, but I could imagine our two daughters coming down for their debs and weddings," recalls Aveline. Six years ago, this was realised when daughter Orla descended the sweeping steps in her bridal gown. What is impressive about the staircase is that it is one entire piece. "The people that created it were a husband and wife team, originally from Australia, who lived in Rathdrum. He came and took templates of the walls in the hall, and then built the staircase in one entire piece. It took an articulated truck to move it down the N11 from Rathdrum."
Much of the ground floor has crema marfil flooring which is warmed underfoot with underfloor heating. The property has great proportions and is infused with natural light. Upstairs, a standout room among five fine bedrooms, all of which are en suite, is the family bathroom with a freestanding bath that lies in a curved line illuminated by five windows. “It’s really private as it overlooks the trees and is lovely at night with the candles lit.”
The principal bedroom has an air of a five-star hotel to it and mirrors the family room-cum-kitchen below – but a balcony lies on a small pentagonal turret that is a sunroom at garden level.
The Domino Design kitchen lies in a bright open-plan space and features Neff appliances, a large island and American-style fridge. Off this is a living-cum-dining area with a more formal dining area in an open space off the hallway. A formal drawingroom with an impressive white marble chimneypiece lies to the front of the property, with a study and family room completing this floor.
The coach house, which lies adjacent to the house, has been given a complete facelift. It began as stabling and was then turned into a games room, but has a multitude of further uses – subject to planning. “It changed use as the girls grew up, and we now have a wooden stable just beside the paddock.” This has eco spring-rubber flooring, which stops horses having sore legs from standing on concrete.
The family are downsizing from Ferndale, which has now been launched by Sherry FitzGerald seeking €1.8 million.
