Houzz Tour: An Airy Farmhouse With a Sociable Kitchen
Custom carpentry gives this spacious Irish country home an elegant, uncluttered feel
When the homeowners bought this 1970s farmhouse back in 2012, it wasn’t looking its best, having been lying derelict for six years. However, they could see that the two-story home had huge potential, not least thanks to its generous size and peaceful rural setting, surrounded by tall trees and large open fields.
After eight months of renovations, they put in an addition in the back, then brought in design firm Woodale for the crucial finishing touches — including a showstopping kitchen. “The owners’ tastes are quite modern,” says Keith Fennelly of Woodale, “so while they wanted to reflect the history of the farmhouse, they mixed traditional with contemporary elements.”
After eight months of renovations, they put in an addition in the back, then brought in design firm Woodale for the crucial finishing touches — including a showstopping kitchen. “The owners’ tastes are quite modern,” says Keith Fennelly of Woodale, “so while they wanted to reflect the history of the farmhouse, they mixed traditional with contemporary elements.”
Woodwork might not be at the top of your list when you design your dream property, but this house demonstrates how well-designed, built-in storage and quality details can transform the look and functionality of a home.
Woodale did the woodwork throughout the house, including cabinetry, door and window frames, baseboards, paneling, vanity units — and even some secret doors, Fennelly says.
Woodale did the woodwork throughout the house, including cabinetry, door and window frames, baseboards, paneling, vanity units — and even some secret doors, Fennelly says.
Floor-to-ceiling cabinets ensure that not a single inch is wasted. “Storage is key in this home,” Fennelly says. “There’s a place for everything, and this was very well-thought-out in advance.”
Glass panels at the top of the cabinets stop them from seeming too monolithic — a clever design trick.
Glass panels at the top of the cabinets stop them from seeming too monolithic — a clever design trick.
The kitchen has a country flavor, which the owners wanted. The warm wood-look floor is, in fact, ultrapractical Italian floor tile. “The concern was that real [wood] would change color over time with the sunlight through the double-height windows,” Fennelly says.
Floor tile: BTW
Floor tile: BTW
Islands are a handy way to divide a wide living space. If you’re lucky enough to have a big room, pick an island to match its dimensions.
The owners went for upholstered bar stools to keep things comfy — this is, after all, the hub of the home. “The breakfast bar is where the family relax while preparing meals, or gather for a chat over coffee,” Fennelly says.
The island is about 13 by 4 feet — meaning that there is plenty of room for the family to gather round, as well as space for chopping and kneading. And there are no chilly elbows on the table thanks to the dual-purpose countertops. “A 45mm whitewashed-oak breakfast bar wraps around the island to form a warm, natural surface at the seating area,” says the designer.
The owners went for upholstered bar stools to keep things comfy — this is, after all, the hub of the home. “The breakfast bar is where the family relax while preparing meals, or gather for a chat over coffee,” Fennelly says.
The island is about 13 by 4 feet — meaning that there is plenty of room for the family to gather round, as well as space for chopping and kneading. And there are no chilly elbows on the table thanks to the dual-purpose countertops. “A 45mm whitewashed-oak breakfast bar wraps around the island to form a warm, natural surface at the seating area,” says the designer.
Open shelving in the island on the dining room side provides a place to display dishes, and breaks up the view.
The island is painted for a soft contrast with the wall cabinets. The extra sink is handy for rinsing and prepping vegetables.
Island paint: Mouse’s Back, Farrow & Ball; perimeter cabinet paint: Portland Stone Deep, Little Greene
The island is painted for a soft contrast with the wall cabinets. The extra sink is handy for rinsing and prepping vegetables.
Island paint: Mouse’s Back, Farrow & Ball; perimeter cabinet paint: Portland Stone Deep, Little Greene
For their stove, the couple chose a six-oven Aga in Pewter. “There’s always the smell of freshly baked scones in the air,” Fennelly says. One of the owners is a passionate cook as well as a businesswoman, and her efforts extend to growing her own fruit and vegetables in the garden.
Another luxurious touch is the stove backsplash, made from dark granite.
Verde Maritaca granite backsplash: Stone Surfaces
Another luxurious touch is the stove backsplash, made from dark granite.
Verde Maritaca granite backsplash: Stone Surfaces
Everything has been considered storagewise, including a glass cabinet for glassware. “The owners have a lovely collection of crystal glasses, so it was worth showing these off. They appreciate wine, and relax with family and friends over a glass,” Fennelly says.
The rustic paneling on the ceiling marks the line between the old and new buildings. “It’s positioned where the wall was removed from the original farmhouse to connect with the new [addition]. It also emphasizes the thickness of the original walls,” Fennelly says.
Painting it a soft brown adds character, mirrors the island and helps turn it into a feature.
The addition houses the dining room, TV room, boot room and bathroom. The upstairs has a mezzanine that overlooks the dining room.
Painting it a soft brown adds character, mirrors the island and helps turn it into a feature.
The addition houses the dining room, TV room, boot room and bathroom. The upstairs has a mezzanine that overlooks the dining room.
The kitchen cabinets were carefully handcrafted by Woodale. They’re built from oak carcasses, with solid poplar frames.
The countertop is Dekton, a composite made from a blend of porcelain, quartz and glass for toughness and good looks.
Dekton countertop: Stone Surfaces
The countertop is Dekton, a composite made from a blend of porcelain, quartz and glass for toughness and good looks.
Dekton countertop: Stone Surfaces
Clever pullouts include this integrated knife block.
Another ingenious pullout helps prevent utensil pileups on the countertop.
This house has a warm, soothing neutral palette with lots of wood. Think honey, biscuit, taupe, cream and oatmeal. “The owners wanted a timeless look. They’re not interested in the latest fad or having interiors that would date,” Fennelly says. “The farmhouse is in a rural environment, and they wanted to complement the natural surroundings.”
Coffee table: The Orchard
Coffee table: The Orchard
A cozy seating area opposite the kitchen provides a comfy spot from which to view the garden.
The built-in display bookcase, made from Jacobean oak, has a sneaky use beyond storage — it also functions as a secret door. James Bond, eat your heart out.
“It leads into the TV room and is quite a talking point with guests,” Fennelly says.
“It leads into the TV room and is quite a talking point with guests,” Fennelly says.
This is how it looks when the secret door is open.
The French windows are part of the addition and let the light flow in. They lead to a covered patio, with the garden and views of the rolling hills beyond.
The French windows are part of the addition and let the light flow in. They lead to a covered patio, with the garden and views of the rolling hills beyond.
The pantry is a handy place for spices, cans and jars that don’t have a home anywhere else. It’s tucked behind the fridge wall of the kitchen.
The Louis table is a Woodale design, here topped with marble by Stone Surfaces, perfect for when the owner is making pastry. (Bakers know that cool marble is a good surface for rolling dough.)
The Louis table is a Woodale design, here topped with marble by Stone Surfaces, perfect for when the owner is making pastry. (Bakers know that cool marble is a good surface for rolling dough.)
The dining room, off the main kitchen, is the perfect spot for dinner parties. It follows the same relaxing, neutral color scheme for a feeling of continuity and flow in this open space.
Cross Leg dining table: The Orchard
Cross Leg dining table: The Orchard
Checkered floor tile adds drama to the spacious hallway.
The living room has an elegant boutique feel. While some details may be traditional — the chandelier and wingback armchairs — the effect is light and modern due to the honey-hued palette and pale wood flooring.
Paneling is a shortcut to a period look — in fact, this farmhouse was built in the 1970s, but you wouldn’t guess it. “The owners chose a look rather than an era,” Fennelly says.
Paneling is a shortcut to a period look — in fact, this farmhouse was built in the 1970s, but you wouldn’t guess it. “The owners chose a look rather than an era,” Fennelly says.
Details make a difference. Woodale designed the wall paneling, the framing around the windows and the baseboards for a period effect.
Having a large sliding-glass door into the hallway means that no light is blocked.
There’s no excuse for leaving boots lying haphazardly in the hall with this dedicated boot room, complete with built-in coat and shoe rack.
The guest bathroom is located downstairs in the addition. The vanity unit is based on Woodale’s Louis table.
Tongue-and-groove paneling in the guest bathroom adds a classic country touch. And it works surprisingly well with the curvy, modern bathtub.
Kendall bathtub: BTW
Kendall bathtub: BTW
The padded headboard is a luxurious boutique feature in this bedroom, while soft carpet is cozy on cold mornings.
The built-in shelving is streamlined and practical. “The shelves are backlit with LEDs, so are a lovely feature in the evening,” Fennelly says.
Headboard: The Fabric Mill
The built-in shelving is streamlined and practical. “The shelves are backlit with LEDs, so are a lovely feature in the evening,” Fennelly says.
Headboard: The Fabric Mill
There’s a tranquil view from the house.
The light, neutral palette gets slightly darker in the cozy study. Custom storage keeps everything in order. “American walnut was used in here to give a rich, luxurious feel,” Fennelly says. “There’s space for private papers, and a display area for books and private mementos.”
The tan leather armchair adds to the clubby atmosphere.
Wall paint: Turf, Helen Turkington
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The tan leather armchair adds to the clubby atmosphere.
Wall paint: Turf, Helen Turkington
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: A married couple and their dog, Polly
Location: Naas, County Kildare, Ireland
Size: Six bedrooms, four bathrooms
Designer: Keith Fennelly of Woodale
The large open-plan kitchen is the star of this home, along with its huge island — ideal for sociable breakfasts. “Though the owners’ daughter is grown-up, this is very much a family home with lots of get-togethers,” Fennelly says.
Fascino pendant lights in Sand: Hicken Lighting