Latest news with #countryhome
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Escape to the country in this village home with breathtaking views
The perfect escape to the country property is on the market for a cool £1.1 million. Situated in the picturesque village of Belmont the six-bedroom detached home is 'an exceptional and beautifully' presented family home, offering over 5,000 sq. Ft of luxurious living space. The property, being marketed by Miller Metcalfe, with details on Zoopla, is on the market for £1,195,000. This six-bedroom Belmont country home is our property of the week. (Image: Miller Metcalf) This six-bedroom Belmont country home is our property of the week. (Image: Miller Metcalf) The listing states: 'Situated in the picturesque village of Belmont, this bespoke home enjoys a commanding position on the edge of the moors, with breath-taking views across reservoirs and open countryside.' READ MORE: This six-bedroom Belmont country home is our property of the week. (Image: Miller Metcalf) The house is spread over three floors, and is described as "effortlessly combines character, quality, and modern lifestyle". This six-bedroom Belmont country home is our property of the week. (Image: Miller Metcalf) Other features of the star-studded property include underfloor heating, quality tiled flooring and six generously sized bedrooms and six contemporary bathrooms, including two-bedroom suites with their own private living rooms and en-suite shower rooms. This six-bedroom Belmont country home is our property of the week. (Image: Miller Metcalf) There is also access to local amenities, schools, and transport links close to the home. This six-bedroom Belmont country home is our property of the week. (Image: Miller Metcalf) The listing adds: 'It is said to be ideal for a family, with an impressive open-plan living area—a bright, versatile space ideal for family life and entertaining". The kitchen is fitted with high-quality oak cabinetry, black granite worktops, and a range of integrated appliances, including a seven-ring gas range cooker. (Image: Miller Metcalf) The listing states that the property was listed earlier this year for £1,500,000 and was later reduced to its current market price. It adds: 'The first floor features a further two bedrooms with en-suite. (Image: Cheryl Doran) 'The top floor comprises two of the largest bedrooms in the house, with walk in wardrobes, en-suite and of course enjoying far reaching views. 'The master bedroom has its own living area, which really gives it the wow factor. In between these rooms is a further sixth bedroom, but if five bedrooms was enough, then this would make a fantastic office space.'
Telegraph
26-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Join the fray: embrace country home decor
In smarter pockets of the Home Counties, an arcane protocol used to dictate how you did – and didn't – do up your country home. Marble floors were for Mayfair. Ditto glass coffee tables – and Jacuzzis. No longer. In more meritocratic times, such conventions have been hurled on the scrapheap of history. A hot tub overlooking the ha-ha? A home cinema in the old ballroom? Why not? It's your home. Do what you want. But the fact persists. Rural homes are different from their urban counterparts. It isn't just the materials (honeyed Cotswolds stone, Norfolk flint and brick) but the scale – be it a beam-strewn cottage or Palladian villa – that sets them apart. Then there's the light. Filtered through a canopy of green, it brings the outside inside. All of these elements suggest a more nuanced, gentler approach to interiors. As the US decorator Elsie de Wolfe declared, it's all about 'suitability'. So if you're eyeing up a rural bolthole, or plotting a full-time escape from the city what are some of the essential 'dos' of modern-country decorating? Kitchens First: kitchens. If yours is the size of an apartment in Bow, resist the temptation to go open plan. Instead, think like the Edwardians and put the square footage to work as functional but decorative ancillary rooms. Larders with marble shelves, flower rooms heady with blooms, a scullery with charming plate racks. You won't have a tweenie to do the behind-the-scenes drudgery for you. But at least you can do it in style. In his Somerset kitchen, designer and furniture maker Patrick Williams of Berdoulat installed the 'wibbly' glazed screen which divides the pantry from the rest of the room. 'It masks the clutter without closing off the space,' says Patrick. 'By housing appliances in separate rooms, you can make the kitchen feel less kitcheny – more like a collection of furniture.' Other devices include tables instead of islands, wooden worktops, Welsh slate, or zinc beaten into sinks and worktops for 'a beautiful patina of time'. Designer Emma Hutton 's country-kitchen staples include: terracotta flooring, flatweave rugs (try Home & Found or Edit58) and open shelves with ceramics and plants jostling for space. The layers bring 'comfort and softness: a refuge from city life.' Bathrooms Country bathrooms are invariably bigger, so you won't have to fret about splashes and spills. 'You can be practical and aesthetic,' says designer Octavia Dickinson. Fabric is key: for frilled panels on baths or under vanities to conceal storage. And yes, you can use carpet on the floor although you may want to fling a washable rug (try Jennifer Manners or Weaver Green) on top. Steven Rodel of Guy Goodfellow agrees, citing a recent project where every bathroom was different. A roll-top bath, positioned in front of a window framed by floor-grazing curtains. The walk-in (Drummond's) shower next to a Regency bookcase; the antique chest of drawers converted to a vanity on 'warm, worn' wooden floors. Rooms 'where you can find solace in a bubble bath,' he says. Atmosphere The well-designed country home is comfortable and convivial. Take the sitting room. Tamsyn Mason likes to include perching points: a club fender (try Jamb); a card table and chairs tucked beneath a bay window. Swap coffee tables for a squashy ottoman (Trove, Balmain & Balmain, Max Rollitt) and opt for fabrics with a darker background (Bennison, Robert Kime or Jean Monro are good starting points). 'White can look surprisingly stark in the country,' she says. 'In the country you're always aware of the landscape. That's what inspires me,' says designer Speronella Marsh whose eponymous firm specialises in block-printed furnishings. She reconfigured her Shropshire kitchen to capitalise on the views, installing glazed doors that open on the walled garden. The dresser, painted a punchy tomato red, nods to her vegetable plot. Its glazing bars reference nearby Ironbridge, crucible of the Industrial Revolution. 'Whether you're surrounded by fields or in a village, there's always something to draw on.' But another caveat. A paint shade that sings in London can look dowdy in the country. It's the light of course. For older houses, Kate Guinness favours Atelier Ellis 's natural paints in muted but luminescent tones. Fellow designer Henriette von Stockhausen of VSP Interiors advises clients to be chromatically adventurous. 'Blues, greens or pinks that can be tricky in town take on a different life in the country.' Her rural picks include Edward Bulmer 's Cinnamon, Celadon or Lute for its 'warm glow'. Scale Scale is all. The sofa that swaggers in London can look Lilliputian in a Wiltshire parsonage. This also applies to four-posters sought out by townies chasing the arcadian dream. Antiques can be too small, so Henriette designs her own. 'The mattress has to be in proportion to the posts. Otherwise, it looks strange.' It's the same for panelling. 'It looks charming. We do lots of it. But the scale has to be right.' Above all, putting down rural roots involves a change of mindset. 'When I arrive in the country, I inwardly exhale. And relax,' says Steven. Apply the same outlook to your décor. 'I call it permission to fray.' Speronella concurs. Friends will visit 'leaving a trail of mud and spilt wine.' Dogs will leap onto sofas jeopardising upholstery. 'That's fine. You throw on another blanket,' she says. In the country, there are (almost) no rules.
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Helen Flanagan stuns in sheer green lingerie and suspenders after revealing body insecurities
HELEN Flanagan has stunned in sheer green lingerie and suspenders, after revealing her body insecurities. The 34-year-old mum-of-three was a vision in a new video shared to her 1.1million Instagram followers. 5 5 5 Donning green lingerie and suspenders, Helen looked more glamorous than ever as she showed off her incredible body in Nikki Intimates Lingerie. The stylish mum wore her blonde locks in bouncy blow-dried curls and showed off a very glamorous makeup look. The shoot took place at a beautiful country home, and the start of the video saw Helen strutting her stuff across a gravel driveway in the bold lingerie set. 'Step into summer with my @nikkiintimates lingerie collection 💛 Im sooo proud of this gorgeous range that truly embodies the essence of summer,' the former Corrie star penned. She wore several different sets in the video, all displaying her beautiful curves and Helen could be seen laying across a picnic blanket, posing against the building and walking outside in the underwear sets. Fans were in awe, as one person wrote: 'Amazing body confidence, well done you 👏 is that Arley Hall in the background, love that place 😍' A second penned: 'Absolute knockout Helen, you look insane,' and a third echoed: 'Stunning, such a real woman and looks incredible.' Helen's recent post comes after she admitted she's lacking confidence over 'cellulite' and 'untoned body.' The star posted a video of herself getting ready to go out to the theatre, and stripped out of her pyjamas to her underwear. She captioned her clip: 'Happy Friday Girls 🙋🏼♀️💖 loving this weather 😍 GRWM.' But while many were quick to comment on Helen's stunning figure, Helen herself said she 'lacked confidence.' 'My weight all kind of depends on my love life and how stressed I am,' the former Corrie star said, while showing off her stunning blow-dried hair and glam makeup look. Standing in a blue bra, Helen continued to say how nice it was to be asked to help with the edit of the bra she was wearing. 'Even though sometimes you don't feel so confident or toned, just go for it,' Helen said, adding: 'Even though I've got cellulite and my body isn't as toned as it used to be, I just thought 'you know what Helen go for it,' you only live once.' Helen went on to show off the lingerie set, taking a step back from the camera and revealing her enviable physique. The video comes after the former Coronation Street actress jetted to the White Isle with pals to enjoy a day of partying at Wayne Lineker 's famed O Beach Ibiza club. Helen could be seen with a huge smile on her face as she made the most of her time in the sun following her split from boyfriend, Robbie Talbot, 45. 5 5
Irish Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
The lowest-priced big home on the island? Storied Georgian pile for €415,888
Address : Prehen House, Prehen Park, Derry, Co Derry Price : €415,888 Agent : Savills If you've ever dreamed of being a lord or lady of the manor, purchasing Prehen House, a grade-one listed property overlooking the river Foyle less than 4km outside the walled city of Derry , could make that wish come true. The landmark property has plenty of room to host friends for the weekend and offers acres of space and riveting stories to regale guests with. Facing west across the water, the detached two-storey over-basement Georgian property is set on an elevated site of almost 10 acres and comes to market with a consecrated Russian Orthodox Chapel, a consecrated Church of Ireland church, a separate three-bedroom, one-bathroom guest cottage, stables and various outbuildings. It extends to 675sq m (7,265sq ft) and was described in 1835 as 'commodious' by George Downes in the Ordnance Survey Memoirs. READ MORE Prehen House is on the market for €415,888 (£350,000) through agents Savills , less than the €450,000 median price of a house in Dublin , according to the first-quarter MyHome property report. It amounts to €613 per square metre. It's a lot of space at a value rarely seen in the country homes market. The rubble-stone-fronted, seven-bedroom, three-bathroom main house has sandstone window dressings and gorgeous period features. These include a Portland stone entrance hall, with four main reception rooms leading off it. Prehen House Diningroom Library Library Reception room Kitchen The house features handsome chimneypieces, six-panel doors and six-over-six sash windows with working shutters throughout. The kitchen would benefit from updating but has an Aga in situ. It has a flagstone floor, while the library has gilded floor-to-ceiling bookcases and tall bay windows. The basement features fine brick-vaulted space. The diningroom is painted a vivid burnt orange and has painted murals on the walls and a bullseye effect on the ceiling; it is characterful and another talking point should your party tire of hearing about the property's previous residents. Bedroom with painted murals Prehen House, Prehen Park, Derry, County Derry Main stairs Landing Entrance The manor house dates from about 1740 and is thought to have been designed by architect Michael Priestley – the initials MP have been found on its rafters. It was built for Andrew Knox, MP for Donegal , after he married Prehen heiress Honoria Tomkins. It also boasts a story of star-crossed lovers involving the daughter of the house and a John MacNaghten, the son of a Derry merchant who inherited the Benvardon Estate in Co Antrim as a child. He attended Trinity College Dublin but didn't complete his degree there. A widower and notorious gambler, MacNaghten racked up debts that his friends stood surety on. Lord Massereene, brother-in-law to his late wife, got him a job as tax collector for the county of Coleraine (now Co Derry). He embezzled four times his annual salary, which his trusting friends then had to repay. Despite this conduct unbecoming of a gentleman, Knox took pity on him and put him up in Prehen, where he is said to have taken a shine to Knox's daughter, Anne Knox, reportedly then aged 15. The brick-vaulted basement The cottage Romantic versions of the tale portray her as his lover and wife – they are said to have eloped. In other versions the so-called marriage – for some say it was a sham – was forbidden by her father. One can imagine that Knox may well have noted MacNaghten's debt-accruing abilities to be concerning and decided to get his daughter out of the house and down to Dublin. MacNaghten got word of her departure and thought it a good idea to round up a band of men to try to kidnap Anne, holding up her carriage at gunpoint. Her father was travelling with her and he and his men returned fire, and she was fatally wounded and died – apparently killed by a bullet from MacNaghten's gun. MacNaghten was arrested and tried for murder at Lifford Courthouse in December 1761. Found guilty, he was taken to be hanged and is said to have jumped from the rope with such gusto that it snapped, propelling him into crowd. Instead of fleeing the scene, he apparently instead shouted out that he didn't want to be forever known as 'half-hanged MacNaughten' and voluntarily climbed back on to the gallows – incidentally, built by the Knox family – to be hanged a second time. Adjacent to the house is a pasture known as Post Office Tree Field, so called because it is believed that is was under a tree here that MacNaghten and Anne Knox secretly exchanged love letters. Imagine if these walls could talk.
Irish Times
10-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Chic, timeless interiors and an equestrian's dream near Tara, Co Meath for €1.65m
Address : Macetown, Tara, Co Meath Price : €1,650,000 Agent : Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes View this property on Deep in the rolling Meath countryside close to Skryne and Tara, Macetown is a country residence that will tick a lot of boxes for equestrian lovers: a beautiful home made for entertaining, well-designed gardens and superior equestrian facilities all set on 35 acres in lush farmland. The five-bedroom house was built as an extension to an old Land Commission cottage that was there from the 1930s. The aspect is perfect: the front of the house faces south and the back of the house looks over paddocks filled with grazing horses. The owners bought the dairy farm in 2015 and built the 285sq m (3,067sq ft) 1½-storey home with the help of Carey Associates, architects in Ashbourne. The milking parlour was transformed into an American-style barn with seven stables. It has a tack room and an all-weather sand arena outside. All of the paddocks surrounding the house are securely fenced and a stream runs through the property. A cream iron gate slides back to a drive separating the barn from the house, and three dogs bark a tremendous welcome, while the horses in the adjoining paddock lift their heads briefly and coolly, then resume grazing. READ MORE A gate set in an iron fence leads through to the gardens, designed by award-winning gardener Jane McCorkell. The path to the front door passes by an outdoor seating area, roofed, glazed and facing west. The interior is immediately welcoming and warm, with a cream painted stairs leading to the upper storey. To its left is the kitchen, living and dining area, which runs the length of the house on an east-west aspect. Aerial shot of property Entrance hallway Living and dining area Kitchen Sittingroom Utility and boot room It's a stunning space with high vaulted ceilings, French doors opening out into the gardens, expansive views of the surrounding land through the windows and a relaxed French countryside vibe. The kitchen, on the eastern side of the house, features handbuilt cabinetry with a large double gas stove and ovens. It is painted in a soft green and cream. The owner designed all the interiors herself with an incredible eye for detail that underpins a chic, classy, timeless interior. An island has seating and a built-in wine rack. A huge pine table divides the kitchen and living area, the focal point of which is a large stove surrounded by a brick hearth and topped with a wooden mantel. This is where the family spend most of their time. A combined utility and bootroom lies beside the kitchen with a cute half-door, which the resident greyhound easily vaults, disgruntled at being kept outside. Guest WC Downstairs bedroom Jack and Jill bathroom Back in the hall is a pretty guest WC and past the stairs is a small sittingroom with a fireplace and built-in cabinets and a fine bedroom that the owners use as a home office. At the end of the hall, in what was the original Land Commission cottage, are two lovely bedrooms, connected by a Jack and Jill bathroom. The Ber is a high A2; the house runs on an air-to-water system. The radiators throughout, in keeping with the decor, are cream cast-iron. Main bedroom Main bedroom walk-in wardrobe and en suite Bedroom Bedroom Family bathroom Upstairs is another bedroom with its own en suite and a host of storage, a walk-in attic and the main suite, which comprises a large bedroom with beautiful views through the windows, a comprehensive walk-in wardrobe and dressing area and a stylish en suite. It may be in the heart of the country but it's located in a triangle of towns: Ashbourne, Ratoath and Dunshaughlin are all about a 15-minute drive from the property. The pretty village of Skryne is five minutes away with its famous church overlooking multiple counties and pubs, including O'Connell's and Foxes. It is also the location of the nearest primary school. Nearby golf clubs include Killeen Castle and the Royal Tara. Connectivity is excellent, with the N2 and M3 close to the property. Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes is handling the sale, seeking €1.65 million.
