When the current owners of The Old School House at Nun's Cross, Ashford, Co Wicklow, first viewed their prospective new home 10 years ago, it was still a school and consisted of two large classrooms, a toilet and yard. It must have taken a clear vision to see the property's potential.
Stepping into this stylishly presented home today, it is obvious that perceptive flair was in no short supply in creating such a home, full of interest and character.
The 1,250 sq ft of accommodation has been remodelled to an architect's design. Ground floor accommodation includes a large open plan kitchen/livingroom, bathroom and bedroom. A new staircase has been fitted to create another floor within the vaulted, panelled roof, giving a bedroom, bathroom and study/office mezzanine.
The house will be sold by private treaty with Gunne Residential, which is inviting offers in excess of £350,000 (#444,410).
Built in 1877, the house is on three quarters of an acre, with a large side garden. The exterior is pebble dashed and painted a lemon colour.
The front door leads to a small entrance hall, with an old pine floor and part-panelled walls. To the left is a very large open plan kitchen/livingroom bursting with colour and diversity.
This room has the original pine floor and a wonderful vaulted beamed ceiling. The living section is cool, with couches grouped round a splendid raised open fireplace with slate hearth.
The walls have panelled wainscoting painted white, and the period front-facing windows are complemented by modern glazed doors to the rear garden.
The kitchen area has an oil-fired Stanley range, which also heats the radiators. The bright colour scheme is enhanced by egg-yellow counter tops and wall tiling which frame a double Belfast sink.
The recessed storage is timber framed and features open shelves and sliding baskets. A utility room has a slate floor and a side door to the garden.
The main bedroom on the ground floor has panelled walls and a recessed open storage area with hanging and cupboard space. The pine-panelled bathroom nearby has a white three-piece suite and a colour scheme of yellow and white.
A pine staircase in period wood climbs up to a mezzanine landing carpeted in red wool. This has a built-in desk and work station, recessed bookshelves and a raised area currently furnished with a futon bed. A short corridor has good storage behind louvred doors. A further bedroom and bathroom each have Velux windows set into the vaulted ceiling.
Front gates lead in to a tarmacadamed area at the side of the house with parking for a number of cars. The south facing rear of the house has a timber decking area. There is a long side garden set in lawn, and the boundary is fringed with mature trees.
