Modern Rustic

A fusion of new and salvaged have reawakened this once run down cottage creating depth and character and giving it a new lease of life.

It’s inspiring to find a home that, with simple touches, has been restored back to its original state. With creativity and resourcefulness this is exactly what Rita and Thomas have achieved with two neglected cottages. Built in the 1850s the solid stone-faced cottages are situated in Kilquiggan, County Wicklow and were part of the Fitzwilliam Estate and two of six cottages built to house stonemasons that worked on the estate. One of the couples cottages was home to a family of twelve, the Bowe family, many of whom eventually all emigrated to England.

The cottages had been knocked into one by the previous owner who, along with some badly finished modifications, had also fitted dormer windows that looked totally out of place in the period property. Over the years the beautiful stonework had been covered with layers of plaster both internally and externally. The windows were rotten, there was no insulation and there was dry rot in many of the timbers. The gardens also needed attention as they were completely over grown, both front and back.

Read more in the February issue…