Co Dublin: from €395,000The developers of this housing scheme have paid great attention to the interior finish, taking heed of customers' wishes
Buyer power is the driving force behind the quality to be found in current new homes schemes. People are leaving their chequebooks behind when coming out to view and taking more time to decide, often returning with parents or friends for a second look.
This lack of panic buying is a good thing, say Barry, Anna and Patrick Durkan of Durkan Residential, who had a personal input into the interiors at their latest development, Silken Park close to Citywest.
"It's back to basics. People are looking for traditional houses and value for money. Today's buyers want to see what they're getting and aren't interested in buying from plans any more," says Patrick Durkan.
The stylish high-spec interiors at Silken Park ensured the return of many of last weekend's viewers, chequebooks at the ready. This latest Durkan Residential development is off the old Naas Road, and a few minutes' walk from its sell-out Brown's Barn Wood scheme.
Prices start at €395,000 for two-bedrooms houses with a study and from €465,000 for three-bedroom houses which was an added incentive for the 300-plus who turned up to view.
A new tranche of two and three-bedroom houses is being released this weekend and Sherry FitzGerald New Homes is handling sales. Each house type includes two-car driveways and walled back gardens, complete with a paved terrace.
Windows are plentiful and of quality Rationel pine. Bathrooms come fully tiled, with glass screens and mirrors. A steel-framed fireplace recessed into the sittingroom wall is fitted with a gas flame-effect fire. Small details, such as brushed steel door handles, add a touch of luxury.
The kitchens at Silken Park are as up-to-the-minute as you will see anywhere, thanks to input from Barry, Anna and Patrick Durkan, who used Axiom Design of Sandyford for the interiors at this scheme.
Three-bedroom houses of 96sq m (1,033sq ft) have a "latte and mocha" theme, with ivory high gloss units, Silestone worktops, a full range of built-in appliances and an unusual steel funnel extractor fan over the corner hob. A butcher block breakfast bar in dark-stain iroko makes an attractive contrast.
Sliding doors (copied from period houses) disappear into the wall to access a bright sitting/diningroom with French doors to the back garden.
The understairs guest toilets in both houses comes fully tiled and mirrored.
Upstairs, the larger houses include three good bedrooms - a small double could just fit into the smallest room. The en suite shower off the main bedroom and family bathroom are also fully tiled. Wardrobes from Cawleys are ivory-painted with wood-look linings.
Kitchens in the 80sq m (861sq ft) two-bedroom houses have wenge units, stone worktops, a steel extractor fan and a full complement of integrated appliances.
Doors slide into the wall to access a bright sitting/dining-room with recessed fireplace and French doors to the garden.
There are two double bedrooms upstairs, a smart fully-tiled bathroom and a study which would accommodate the occasional overnight guest. Ivory wardrobes are fitted in the two bedrooms.
Gardens front and back will be seeded, with a triangular paved terrace in both houses and painted block walls for privacy.
Silken Park is best accessed by taking the first exit beyond Newlands Cross on the Naas Road, signposted to Kingsland.
