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Houzz Tour: An Airy Farmhouse With a Show-stopping Kitchen-diner
Clever carpentry gives this spacious, light and uplifting country home in County Kildare 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 it 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 added a box extension at the rear, then drafted in Woodale for those crucial finishing touches – including a show-stopping kitchen. “The owners’ tastes are quite modern,” explains 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 added a box extension at the rear, then drafted in Woodale for those crucial finishing touches – including a show-stopping kitchen. “The owners’ tastes are quite modern,” explains Keith Fennelly of Woodale, “so while they wanted to reflect the history of the farmhouse, they mixed traditional with contemporary elements.”
Joinery might not be 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 undertook all the joinery throughout the house, including the architraves, skirting boards, panelling, kitchen, pantry, utility room, boot room, library, office, bedrooms, vanity units – and even some secret doors!” Fennelly says.
See 10 beautiful contemporary kitchens on Houzz
“Woodale undertook all the joinery throughout the house, including the architraves, skirting boards, panelling, kitchen, pantry, utility room, boot room, library, office, bedrooms, vanity units – and even some secret doors!” Fennelly says.
See 10 beautiful contemporary kitchens on Houzz
Floor-to-ceiling cupboards ensure not a single centimetre 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.”
Glazed panels at the top of the cupboards stop them seeming too monolithic – a clever design trick.
Glazed panels at the top of the cupboards stop them seeming too monolithic – a clever design trick.
The kitchen has a definite country flavour – something the owners were keen on.
The warm ‘wooden’ floor is, in fact, ultra-practical Italian floor tiles. “The concern was that real timber would change colour over time with the sunlight through the double-height windows,” says Fennelly.
Wood-effect floor tiles, BTW.
The warm ‘wooden’ floor is, in fact, ultra-practical Italian floor tiles. “The concern was that real timber would change colour over time with the sunlight through the double-height windows,” says Fennelly.
Wood-effect floor tiles, 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,” says Fennelly.
In total, the spectacular island is 3.9m x 1.3m – meaning 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 smart, dual-purpose worktops. “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,” says Fennelly.
In total, the spectacular island is 3.9m x 1.3m – meaning 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 smart, dual-purpose worktops. “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 special crockery, and breaks up the view.
The island is painted for a soft contrast with the wall units. The handy extra sink is perfect for rinsing and prepping vegetables.
Island painted in Mouse’s Back, Farrow & Ball. Main units painted in Portland Stone Deep, Little Greene.
Tour a lovely farmhouse kitchen in Essex
The island is painted for a soft contrast with the wall units. The handy extra sink is perfect for rinsing and prepping vegetables.
Island painted in Mouse’s Back, Farrow & Ball. Main units painted in Portland Stone Deep, Little Greene.
Tour a lovely farmhouse kitchen in Essex
No farmhouse kitchen is complete without a classic Aga, and this couple chose a six-oven model in pewter. “The wife absolutely loves her Aga – there’s always the smell of freshly baked scones in the air,” says Fennelly. “Although she’s a businesswoman, her passion for cookery extends to growing her own fruit and vegetables in the garden.”
Another luxurious touch is the cooker splashback, made from dark granite.
Verde Maritaca granite splashback, Stone Surfaces.
Another luxurious touch is the cooker splashback, made from dark granite.
Verde Maritaca granite splashback, Stone Surfaces.
Everything has been considered storage-wise, including a glazed 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,” says Fennelly
The rustic panelling on the ceiling actually 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 extension. It also emphasises the thickness of the original walls,” explains Fennelly.
Painting it a soft brown adds character, mirrors the island and helps turn it into a feature.
The new extension 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 new extension houses the dining room, TV room, boot room and bathroom. The upstairs has a mezzanine that overlooks the dining room.
The long view from kitchen sink to dining room.
All the kitchen cupboards were carefully handcrafted by Woodale. They’re built from oak carcasses, with solid poplar frames.
The worktop is 20mm Dekton, a composite made from a blend of porcelain, quartz and glass for toughness and good looks.
Dekton worktop, Stone Surfaces.
The worktop is 20mm Dekton, a composite made from a blend of porcelain, quartz and glass for toughness and good looks.
Dekton worktop, Stone Surfaces.
Clever pullouts include this smart integrated knife block.
Another ingenious pullout avoids those unsightly utensil pile-ups on the worktop.
This house has a soothing neutral palette that’s very warm, 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,” says Fennelly. “The farmhouse is in a rural environment and they wanted to complement the natural surroundings.”
Coffee table, The Orchard.
Coffee table, The Orchard.
A cosy 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,” says Fennelly.
“It leads into the TV room, and is quite a talking point with guests,” says Fennelly.
This is how it looks when the ‘secret door’ is open.
The French windows are part of the new extension, and let the light flow in. They lead out onto a covered patio, with the garden and views of the rolling hills beyond.
The French windows are part of the new extension, and let the light flow in. They lead out onto a covered patio, with the garden and views of the rolling hills beyond.
The pantry is a handy place for all those spices, tins and jars you don’t have a home for 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 (keen bakers will know cool marble is renowned for being a good surface on which to roll it out).
The Louis table is a Woodale design, here topped with marble by Stone Surfaces, perfect for when the owner is making pastry (keen bakers will know cool marble is renowned for being a good surface on which to roll it out).
The dining room, off the main kitchen, is the perfect spot for dinner parties. Again it follows the same relaxing, neutral scheme for a feeling of continuity and flow in this large, open space.
Cross Leg dining table, The Orchard.
Cross Leg dining table, The Orchard.
The spacious hallway.
The living room has an elegant, boutique feel. While some details might be traditional – the chandelier and wingback armchairs – the effect is light and modern thanks to the honey-hued palette and pale wood flooring.
Panelling is a shortcut to a period look – in fact, this farmhouse was built in the 1970s, but you wouldn’t guess. “The owners chose a look rather than an era,” says Fennelly.
Panelling is a shortcut to a period look – in fact, this farmhouse was built in the 1970s, but you wouldn’t guess. “The owners chose a look rather than an era,” says Fennelly.
Installing details such as architraves can make a huge difference to the atmosphere. Woodale designed all the wall panelling, framing around the windows, architraves and skirting boards for a period effect.
Having a big, sliding glass door into the hallway means no light is blocked.
There’s really no excuse for leaving wellies lying haphazardly in the hall thanks to this dedicated boot room, complete with built-in coat and shoe rack.
This is the guest bathroom, located downstairs in the extension. The vanity unit is based on Woodale’s Louis table.
Tongue-and-groove in the guest bathroom adds a classic country touch. And it works surprisingly well with the curvy, modern bath.
Kendall bath, BTW Bathrooms.
Kendall bath, BTW Bathrooms.
The chequered tiled floor adds drama to the hallway, while the sliding glass door really opens everything up.
The padded headboard is a luxurious boutique feature in this bedroom, while soft carpet is cosy 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,” says Fennelly.
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,” says Fennelly.
Headboard, The Fabric Mill.
The tranquil view from the house.
This is the master en suite, with a soothing grey and dark wood palette. The large vanity unit provides plenty of storage for shampoos and moisturisers.
Browse more photos of country homes and interiors
Browse more photos of country homes and interiors
The light, neutral palette gets slightly darker in the cosy study. Again, bespoke storage keeps everything in order. “American walnut was used in here to give a rich, luxurious feel,” says Fennelly. “There’s space for private papers and a display area for books and private mementos.”
The tan leather armchair is the icing on the cake for that classic private members’ club feel.
Walls painted in Turf, Helen Turkington.
What do you think of this house? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
The tan leather armchair is the icing on the cake for that classic private members’ club feel.
Walls painted in Turf, Helen Turkington.
What do you think of this house? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A professional, married couple and their dog, Polly
The property A two-storey renovated 1970s farmhouse with a new extension
Location Naas, County Kildare
Size 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms (approx 6,500 sq ft)
Designer Keith Fennelly of Woodale
The large, open-plan kitchen is the unarguable 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,” says designer Keith Fennelly.
Fascino pendant lights in Sand, Hicken Lighting.