Custom-built cut-stone country house on 5.5 acres

Co Kildare: €1.2mFamilies looking to move a short distance from Dublin in search of peaceful living and space for a pony or two will be interested in the sale of Norwegian Wood, a five-bedroom house at Betaghstown in Co Kildare.

The two-storey house, which stands on 5.5 acres including gardens, a stable yard and an all-weather sand arena, is expected to make €1.2 million at auction through joint agents Jackson-Stops and Coonan on October 30th.

As its name suggests, this is a timber frame house, custom-built six years ago from wood imported from Norway. It's reached through electronically controlled entrance gates and via a long tree-lined driveway. It sits in a quiet rural setting two miles from Clane and a mile from Clongowes College boys school.

Not your typical country house the cut-stone facade conceals a bright and airy interior that extends to 338 sq m (3,638 sq ft) with the principal downstairs room open-plan. The wide entrance hall with its limestone floor runs through to a large drawingroom with a double height ceiling and exposed beams. A full height arched window allows lots of light to flood in, while there is also access to a large decked patio. Upstairs, a large gallery overlooks the drawingroom and this space leads on through double doors to a big square livingroom with an arched window overlooking the garden and Veluxes overhead.

The kitchen with its vibrant blue units and quarry tiled floor is another striking room. A curved maple topped breakfast bar has an inner curve of stainless steel worktop, while a Rayburn is houses in a traditional brick archway. The diningroom opens directly from the kitchen and has glazed doubles doors leading to a walled south-facing patio.

There are two bedrooms on the ground floor that share a stylish bathroom with a limestone floor and freestanding bath. A superb stained glass window is flanked by matching contemporary wash-hand basins. The remaining three bedrooms are on the upper floor where they share a bathroom. All the bedrooms have custom-made wardrobes. Adjoining the house is a garage with lofted storage overhead.

The well kept gardens include an orchard, vegetable beds, sheltered areas for sitting out in around the house and a laburnum walk.