Pattern adds rhythm and a sense of narrative to each room


to gut the house to the bone and rebuild everything from scratch, but we wanted to be kind to the house in every way we could, whilst making it super cosy with mod cons.” The renovation began with a complete strip out and rebuild of the essentials: new plumbing, full rewiring and comprehensive insulation throughout. The latter proved transformative. As with many stone cottages, the house had been prone to cold and damp, so improving its thermal performance was key to creating a comfortable, modern home.


The couple laid insulation beneath the fl oors, with underfl oor heating installed on the ground level. Naimh and John chose new limestone tiles to complement the cottage’s age and character. Upstairs, they kept radiators and laid limewashed oak fl ooring.


“The cottage was originally an E-rating, at best,” says Naimh. “But it’s now super cosy with fantastic insulation.”


The couple also wanted to create something


that refl ects their Irish heritage. “I wanted a home where, from the warmth of a fi re stove and


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blanket, I can enjoy the view of the rain and the shades of green outside the window, while my daughters try and imagine how the fairies spent their night,” says Naimh.


It was a natural step to bring in designer Geri O’Toole, whom they found through personal recommendation. “Ive worked with designers all over the world,” says Naimh. “But Geri’s ability to see my vision and bring it to life was incredible.” Geri faced the challenge of restoring the cottage while preserving its character, working within the constraints of low ceilings, small windows and irregular rooms. Rather than cover up the stone walls and timber beams, eri incorporated bespoke joinery that subtly adapts to the uneven lines and quirky angles of the cottage.


“The beams in the kitchen were covered in thick paint. We stripped them back to show the beauty,” recalls Geri. “And they’re one of the best features in the house,” adds Naimh. Throughout, there is a ‘classic cottage’ aesthetic, with a defi nite luxury edge. The


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