Roses and fuchsia fill the garden of artist and director Jimmy Murakami's Killiney home – and a house next to the National Garden Centre In Kilquade has an impressive garden of its own, writes ROSE DOYLE
FILLED with light and interesting angles, the Killiney Road, Killiney, Co Dublin home of acclaimed animation director and artist Jimmy Murakami and his wife, Ethna, feels as if it was designed to make the most of the stunningly in- bloom rear garden and sun-trap patio to the front.
The hill-climbing aspect of Killiney Road means there are views too, most spectacularly across Dublin Bay to Howth from the main bedroom and landing.
Built around 1950, 22 Killiney Road is a detached, dormer bungalow on two levels. The floor area covers some 167sq m (1,800sq ft) and is divided into three bedrooms, an open plan kitchen/living/study area, studio and conservatory.
The rear garden is a particular delight, lawned and made private by high, ivy clad walls and trees, its roses sharing space with such as hydrangea and fuschia. For sale by private treaty through Sherry FitzGerald, the asking price is €815,000.
The Murakamis, who bought the house six years ago, are downsizing, “going for a simpler lifestyle”. They put “a phenomenal amount of work” into no 22, including the opening out of a galley kitchen, creation of a conservatory with living/dining space and addition of pale, maple wood banisters to match similar maple flooring throughout the house.
“We’ve done a great job,” says Ethna,justifiably proud, “and the house is ready now to be handed onto someone younger!”
The sittingroom part of the open-plan living area has a white- painted, cast-iron fireplace and glass patio doors to the garden. The fully-fitted kitchen, which has work/breakfast dining tops in darkly shining Iroko teak, leads to the conservatory.
Used also as a diningroom, the woodwork here is painted the palest blue-green, the floor tiles a paler shade still while the glorious colours in the garden seem an integrated part of it all.
Jimmy Murakami, a Japanese-American whose works include When the Wind Blows and The Snowman, has a studio to the side of the house, a long, bright room with three large Velux.
He has chosen to have a separate entrance, though planning permission allows for it to be integral to the house and this would be simple to implement.
The first-floor main bedroom has a pair of Veluxes, a picture window, wall of Hepplewhite wardrobes, pitched ceiling and great views. The remaining bedrooms are good-sized, one with a bay window, and share an en suite.
Lush lawns – and next to National Garden Centre
LAVISH SOUTH- and west-facing gardens surround this spacious family home, Broken Oak, Kilquade Hill, Greystones, Co Wicklow.
Set on approximately 0.9 acres of mature trees, shrubs and lawn areas, the property is adjacent to the National Garden Exhibition Centre and Druids Glen Golf Club.
Its landscaped gardens include a south-facing paved patio with a water feature and steps up to the raised lawn.
It is for sale through Sherry FitzGerald for €895,000.
The house is just minutes from Greystones village, which has a variety of amenities including regular bus and Dart services. The N11/M50 is a short distance away.
Accommodation in the 327sq m (3,520sq ft) house includes a hallway, three large reception rooms, a study, a large family kitchen/dining area, and a laundry room.
There are five double bedrooms, two of which are en suite, a guest bathroom and a family bathroom.
Accessed by double electric gates, the driveway provides off-street parking for several cars. There is also a detached garage.
