Forging a modern home by waterfall

Co Wicklow: €1.4m Architect Paul Kelly won an RIAI award for his design for a former blacksmith's forge in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow back in 2002.

Now the two-acre property is on the market with an advised minimum value (AMV) of €1.4 million prior to auction through HOK Country on May 17th.

Built around 1838 and originally comprising two stone cottages, The Smithy, Ballinagee, has a pretty garden on several levels opening to a fruit and vegetable garden and paddock.

The design brief to create a contemporary living space has been stylishly fulfilled. The property, three miles from Enniskerry village, is on an elevated site beside the entrance to Powerscourt Waterfall overlooking the Dargle Valley. With the extension built into the hillside, a first floor family room and main bedroom maximise the country views through many windows.

Living space of 162sq m (1,744sq ft) includes two reception rooms, three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

A thoughtful layout means that almost every room opens to either patio, sun terrace, garden or decking, and there is underfloor heating at ground level.

A bright central hall with an atrium rooflight seamlessly unifies the original and new home sections.

To the left is the open-plan livingroom and kitchen. The living area has a curved panelled ceiling, solid fuel stove and two French doors to a south-facing front garden terrace.

The kitchen section, outfitted in wood with an original stone wall, has top-of-the-range integrated equipment. Both rooms are floored in Italian tile.

There are two ground floor bedrooms, each with fitted wardrobe, a fully tiled en suite, and garden access.

There is a utility room, toilet and cloakroom off the hall. An open tread oak staircase leads to a landing decorated in deep red which provides a dramatic focus amid mainly white walls, framed by wood and glass.

The family room has a polished oak floor, large corner window and sliding patio doors to timber decking.

The main bed/sittingroom, with en suite mirrored bathroom and dressingroom offers privacy, lovely views, and has a patio door leading down to the garden.

Outside, electronic gates open to a short drive with a gravelled parking apron to the front and side of the house. Steps climb to a south-facing sun terrace in Indian slate.

The rectangular back garden is beautifully landscaped, with a gate at the end giving onto a fruit and vegetable garden and then to paddock with views of gorse, woods, and mountains.