Original features of the Georgian manor were ‘simplified and refined’, says Róisín, and the strong colours associated with this period were brought into play. The main bedroom, for example, is ‘wrapped in maroon and faded ruby tones’, while a bathroom with swathes of plum and purple marble echoes the masses of stone in the original architecture. ‘The rich shades have a faded, historical quality,’ says the designer, who also introduced paler hues in some of the downstairs rooms. Fresh, happy colours appear in the sage-green kitchen, a powder-blue drawing room that took inspiration from the serene landscape paintings on the walls, and the sunlit orangery. The latter is a new structure with a welcoming, modern slant, inspired by Belgian interiors and featuring a sculpted ivory plaster chimneypiece. ‘The colour contrasts add to the sense of exploration as you meander through the house, discovering alternate worlds,’ adds Róisín.
The sunlit orangery is a new addition to the house, with a bespoke plaster fireplace and a velvet-covered ‘Sparta’ daybed by Ransom & Dunn.
Photo: Daniëlle Siobhán
Hidden behind the dining room is a music and TV snug. Its custom-made timber bookcases are a contemporary version of the cosy wood-panelled study, where the painting above the bespoke Verde Alpi marble fireplace forms part of the owners’ collection of British and Irish art. ‘The marble was chosen to pull out the painting’s blue tones,’ explains Róisín, who also created the rosewood-stained oak panelling. ‘I wanted this room to feel old-world,’ she adds. The antique tapestry armchairs are the owners’ oldest possessions, while the coffee table, made from a vintage Swedish base and a custom marquetry top, depicts wildlife on the estate.
The custom mural in the dining room depicts flora and fauna on the estate. The chandelier is by Bottega Veneziana.
Photo: Daniëlle Siobhán