In the year 2012, Corinna Knaggs, a seasoned interior designer, along with her spouse Trevor Dolan, became the owners of Abingdon, an old Georgian farmhouse. Knaggs had a clear vision for this house and made a point of utilising her vast expertise to enhance and modernise the property, ensuring to highlight its graceful historic characteristics while instilling modern touches as striking contrasts.
Arriving via the expansive drive that connects to Shanganagh Road, one cannot help but admire the aesthetically pleasing blend of ancient and modern designs that grace Abingdon’s frontage. Thanks to previous owners extending the house, it now stands at a sizable 392 sq m (4,219 sq ft). Knaggs’ objective was simple – to fuse both periods in a singular, appealing dwelling that overflowed with unique features.
“On entering the property, the house makes you feel welcomed,” states Knaggs and once you’re inside Post through the grand porch with beautiful sandstone detailing, welcomed by an entrance hall highlighting oak parquet flooring, ceiled with cornices with a centred rose and having wainscoting, it becomes rather hard to wish to depart.
Constructed circa 1758, Abingdon originally resided on sprawling land stretching between 700 to 800 acres, according to Dolan. However, today, the property spreads across a more reasonable 1.6 acres. The present expanse includes the drive, several car parking slots, formal gardens to the driveway’s right, mature green lawns and trees, a substantial rear courtyard enclosed, storage buildings, a self-contained annex providing additional 69 sq m (742 sq ft) living space and an enclosed swimming pool.
In the vicinity, Dolan reveals, there lies a centuries-old lane linking to the 18th-century dairy farmer’s land, serving transport for cattle to the nearby beach. Abingdon, with its annex, now totals 461 sq m (4,961 sq ft) and is presently on the market for €2.45 million, courtesy of Sherry FitzGerald.
A stellar demonstration of contrasting styles is observable on both sides of the corridor. To the left lies an exquisitely decorated formal drawing room, bestowing dual views upon the established grounds. Its ceiling cornice features intricate detailing, accentuated by the feature fireplace with its ornamental timber mantel, marble interior and a slate hearth. The room radiates a nostalgic sense of cosiness, perfect for winter evening relaxation with a warming glass of port. Adjacent to it, there’s an elegantly traditional guest cloakroom with fully tiled flooring and a ceiling clothed in wallpaper.
Traversing the corridor, an impressive open-plan kitchen/family/dining room extension channels a more modern vibe. It boasts expansive solid oak panels as flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a gateway that leads outdoors, garnering more use than the primary entrance, according to Knaggs.
The extension previously sported bunker-like windows, but Knaggs sought a new design to illuminate the area with natural light and offer panoramic views of the enchanting gardens. The dining area is breathtakingly dramatic with towering ceilings and a double patio door leading out to an exclusive courtyard at the back. It promises to keep dinner parties interesting.
The tailored arena kitchen, Knaggs’ design, includes a large central island complete with a breakfast bar for six, abundant storage spaces at both wall and floor levels, an oil-fired Aga, Miele induction hob, and a worktop extractor. It also houses Miele double ovens, twin stainless steel sink units and a colourful glass splashback.
Beyond the principal kitchen lies a secondary kitchen, reachable through transparent glass-paned French doors. It is a versatile, glowing space with timber flooring, plenty of built-in amenities, ornamental lighting and a large glass dome above. Double doors lead out to the private courtyard at the back.
Another doorway at the back leads down to a lower lobby, branching into a bright, spacious room with wooden flooring, recessed lights and a cast-iron fireplace. It opens onto the courtyard through three double French doors. Previously the kitchen, it now serves as a study and a design studio with multiple applications. At the side of the house lies a cloakroom and a shower room, and a laundry room equipped for a washing machine, also offering built-in storage and a linen closet.
Situated at the back of the property, yet still easily reachable, the house boasts a large and airy TV/cinema/games room. It’s designed with wooden floors and a timber-lined vaulted ceiling that features three Velux windows. The triple patio doors, adorned with plantation shutter, lead out to the rear courtyard. This space has plenty of built-in shelves and a media unit, perfect for upgrading your movie nights.
The journey to the first floor is through a luminous, partially divided landing that has wainscot panelling, ceiling coving, and a centre rose. The landing on the first floor is equally beautifully designed. The primary bedroom suite features dual windows with a delightful view of the front garden, and is abundant in space and light, complemented by ceiling coving.
Next to this room through an arch entrance, one finds a capacious bathroom and dressing room en suite that has a fully tiled floor and fitted his-and-hers wash-hand basins. The highlight of this room, however, is a sumptuous stand-alone Victoria and Albert bathtub with chrome fixtures. Additionally, there is a separate fully tiled double shower enclosed in glass. The toilet features a glass privacy door.
All the five bedrooms are doubles. The second bedroom is particularly roomy with a view of the front garden. Bedrooms three and four face the rear courtyard, while the fifth bedroom enjoys a dual viewpoint of both the front and side gardens. Available are a shower room with a fully tiled floor, contemporary fixtures and a Velux window above, and a family bathroom with underfloor heating, a deep-set bathtub with a fully tiled frame, and a fully tiled twin shower.
The L-shaped guest annex, boasting a painted concrete floor and a vaulted ceiling, can serve as a separate studio flat or visitor’s quarters– or even an entertainment space – with its own driveway entrance. It houses a built-in bar that also functions as a kitchen, alongside a generous bedroom space with a separate toilet and shower room.
The surrounding grounds stand out with breathtaking, mature gardens filled with a variety of specimen trees, mature fruit trees, olive trees, box hedges, and blooming plants and bushes. The formal gardens, shaded pathways lined with trees, would be perfect for undisturbed, contemplative moments. Supplementary features include a potting shed, a garage, and a stand-alone summer house. The swimming pool has been neglected for a bit and requires cleaning. However, it’s otherwise functional with everything in working order.
The Shanganagh Road is conveniently situated near the N11 and M50, as well as the Shankill village. It also offers easy access to the Dart route.