Houzz Tours
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My Houzz: A Country Home With a Sophisticated, Serene Feel
This detached house in the County Kildare countryside is elegant, open and flooded with light thanks to a stylish renovation
Some years ago, with three young children in tow, David and Maura Lam-Sheridan made the decision to move from the bright lights of London to picturesque County Kildare in Ireland. They were determined to find a property close to Maura’s Irish parents and a place with a large garden for the children.
When they saw this single-storey, detached country house, they knew they’d found their future home. Surrounded by large, mature oak trees and an acre of land, the house had all the space they craved, but, as the children grew, so did the couple’s desire to update and improve their home.
So plans were hatched to modernise the space and increase its volume, adding a contemporary two-storey extension at the side. Now, the couple have developed what was a family-centric home into a stunning house with Asian touches, to reflect David’s Hong Kong heritage, nestling in the lush Irish landscape.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here David and Maura Lam-Sheridan
Year built 1991
Location Outside the village of Prosperous in County Kildare, Ireland
Size 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
When they saw this single-storey, detached country house, they knew they’d found their future home. Surrounded by large, mature oak trees and an acre of land, the house had all the space they craved, but, as the children grew, so did the couple’s desire to update and improve their home.
So plans were hatched to modernise the space and increase its volume, adding a contemporary two-storey extension at the side. Now, the couple have developed what was a family-centric home into a stunning house with Asian touches, to reflect David’s Hong Kong heritage, nestling in the lush Irish landscape.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here David and Maura Lam-Sheridan
Year built 1991
Location Outside the village of Prosperous in County Kildare, Ireland
Size 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Pretty lavender and jasmine create a fragrant welcome. The entrance was added during the renovations and its pointed roofline echoes the similarly shaped side extension. In order to ensure the new side of the house would blend with the original property, the couple changed all the windows, installing long and lean versions that give the house a cohesive feel.
Classic Louis Ghost chairs designed by Philippe Starck sit in the entrance hall of the house and seem to disappear into the wall. A curvy black console table and mirrored wall art have reflective surfaces that enhance the light.
The entrance hall is flooded with daylight thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows either side of the front door. David took advantage of this by installing glass-block walls next to the windows to allow some of the light to filter through to the darker dining room beyond.
Warm caramels and taupes have been used in the new parts of the house, particularly in the large sitting room. Maura was determined that this room would be sleek but comfortable, an aesthetic she achieved by using different textures, such as animal hide and chunky knits.
Black accents help to anchor the caramel scheme and do much to prevent it looking insipid. A black cushion and table lamp are simple additions that give this room its sophisticated feel.
Check out more stylish ways to use black
Check out more stylish ways to use black
In another room, this coffee table’s slightly industrial look would be more apparent, but here it slots in beautifully with the more traditional and sleek feel. Reflective materials, here found on the candlesticks, and luxe textures cleverly offset the table’s strong lines.
The dining room benefits from light flowing through an interior wall made entirely from glass blocks. In addition, frosted glass double doors allow soft light to flow in here from the light, bright living room.
A monochrome scheme forms the basis of the kitchen design, but this is brightened by the abundant natural light and softened by the use of glass on splashbacks and the breakfast bar. The green of the garden peeps through at the window, bringing living colour to this cool, minimal look.
A row of four rooflights mean the kitchen is never gloomy, even on overcast days. Delicate glass pendants hang down the centre of the kitchen ceiling, picking up the glass theme from the splashbacks and carrying it up towards the skylights for a cohesive feel.
The large games room houses a full-length pool table that has provoked many a family disagreement! It stands in front of a concealed workout zone. The couple wanted to build a gym within the house, but didn’t want it out in the open. They decided to conceal it behind Japanese screens, which they had custom built by a carpenter friend.
Much of the furniture dotted throughout the house has been collected over the years. David picked up this grandfather clock on a trip with his sister to their ancestral home of Hong Kong.
The master bedroom sits at the top of the house. Its high ceiling, full-height window and bird’s-eye view over the garden make it a calm and inviting place to retreat to.
The couple didn’t want to clutter their bedroom with cupboards, so they built an entirely separate dressing room with fitted wardrobes for clothes and shoes. Admittedly, Maura spends more time in it than David!
The couple chose traditional with a romantic edge for their daughters’ bedrooms. Faded floral prints look stylish, while some fluffy trimmings inject a little fun.
A vintage chandelier from a local antiques store completes the soft, feminine feel of this bedroom.
David and Maura’s two daughters and son have left home now, but the couple have kept their bedrooms much the same. This one is furnished with distressed French pieces from a local antiques shop.
All the bedrooms have lofty ceilings and views over the lush garden.
The couple wanted to feel surrounded by nature at all times of the year, so chose to install large windows around the house, giving unrestricted views over the garden.
The grounds have provided lots of opportunities for book-loving Maura to create intimate and sheltered reading spots, including this one with its pretty wirework bench.
Hedges of lavender create a blaze of purple during high summer.
Discover how to create a wildlife garden
Discover how to create a wildlife garden
The lush and spacious garden, peppered with mature trees, was the key feature that persuaded city-weary David and Maura to chose this property.
In summer, the garden is full of colour. The couple can enjoy it whatever the weather thanks to all those big windows.
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