Asking price: €825,000 Agent: Sherry Fitzgerald Galway (091) 569 123 ​When Mel Durkan and his wife Madeleine were designing their dream home in Kinvara, Co Galway, they wanted it to blend seamlessly into the landscape. “Our aim was to create something modern that didn’t look contrived, that wasn’t too high and nestled into its surrounds,” explains Mel Durkan, from Tuam, Co Galway. “The process of designing it was a joy from start to finish.” It helped that he works as a graphic designer and his wife, also from Galway, was employed by an architectural firm. ”We knew we had the necessary skills to design a house, and myself and Madeleine think alike on all things design-related, so the decision process was easy for us.” But first, they had to find a suitable site on which to build. “We both wanted to live in Galway, so we drew a big radius around the city to find a site. It was a happy accident that we came across this one, and we felt very lucky to have found it.” They studied magazines and produced a design for a five-bedroom 2,799 sq ft home with a sloping roof, that didn’t impose on its environs. It sits on three acres, half of which is native Irish woodland which can be seen from the stone driveway as you approach it. “Privacy was important, so we made sure the house is hidden from view when you’re driving up to it,” says Durkan. A local building firm did the work and it took less than a year to complete. It was finished in 2004. “We oversaw the process from start to finish. It was a smooth operation,” he adds. Downstairs, they created an open-plan layout with big windows to let in as much light as possible. They used smaller windows in the dormer section of the house, and added a tapered double-height ceiling in the hallway. It’s a bright passage that runs through the ground floor, with tall doors in a chequerboard design that lead into a deep linen closet on one side, and bookshelves on the other. This leads to an open-plan kitchen, which has cream units against one wall and a freestanding unit with a counter on the other side. The dining section has a wooden table and chairs and a blue couch against the wall, which is Durkan’s favourite part of the house. “It’s a sun-washed spot and a great place to sit and read the newspaper. I can look out the window at the surrounding countryside and chat to whoever is working in the kitchen,” he says. The flooring throughout is oak, save for the bedrooms, which are carpeted, and the tiled bathroom. “We wanted to keep the decor as simple as possible,” he says. “We used a clean pallet of mostly white on the walls, with the odd feature wall in a block colour, save for one of the bedrooms which is painted blue. The aim was to keep it minimal, pared-back and modern.” Pops of colour have also been added in the artwork and furnishings. In the sitting room, for example, one wall has been painted lime green, which is picked up in an abstract painting above the fireplace, and in green cushions on the grey couch. White shelving has been built into the wall, with an overall effect is modern and bold. The green and red abstract painting in the hallway is Durkan’s own. There are four double bedrooms, one of which is currently used as an art studio, with an office off the hallway. Upstairs is another office space and a fifth bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Their children, Hannah (21) and John (18) have happy memories of growing up in the house. “They used to play out the back garden and invite friends over to stay. It was a very safe, kid-friendly area in which to grow up.” The house has lent itself well to parties, both inside and outside in the garden, over the years. The back faces south and on to a field, which affords privacy, and there’s a north-facing patio. “The sun goes around the house as it’s not overlooked, and lands on the patio,” says Durkan. “The back of the house is awash with sunlight for most of the day. It’s a very bright space at any time.” There’s a shed and a concrete paved area to the north-east of the house, and more garden space to the north-west. Here, there’s an orchard with apple and plum trees, raspberry and blackcurrant bushes, and a vegetable patch with potatoes, carrots, onion and garlic. There’s also a large lawn at the front. “Our large, private front lawn has served us well with outdoor camping for the kids, barbecues, igloo building when it snowed, and as a pitch for hurling and rugby,” he adds. It’s located just 2km from the coast and the picturesque village of Kinvara, which offers a range of amenities. It’s also a 20-minute drive from Galway City. “We’re about 10 minutes by car to the Dublin motorway and that opens up access to Limerick and Ennis,” adds Durkan. Now their children are getting older, the couple feel it’s time to downsize. “The house is too big for us now,” says Durkan. “We want to sell it while we’re still young enough to get it ready for market, rather than waiting for five or six years.” They plan to stay in Kinvara, however. “There’s a wonderful community here. From the day we arrived, we’ve been made to feel welcome and we’ve made lifelong friends in Kinvara,” he adds. Putting the house on the market has evoked mixed emotions for them. “We’re a little sad, but we’re feeling optimistic and looking forward to the next chapter in our life,” he says. “We’d like for a new family to enjoy the house as we have.” The property has an asking price of €825,000 with Sherry Fitzgerald Galway.