THE KITCHEN of Whaley Abbey was designed to be “country comfortable” says the owner. The candle chandelier bought in Canada was rewired by a local electrician. For a selection of antique-style candle chandeliers try Wilson’s Yard outside Belfast (0044 48 9269 2304) or www.wilsonsyard.com. It has a heavy cast brass chandelier for £2,150 (€2,336).

The focal point of the room is the combination oil and electric cream Aga from the Aga Shop (01 6636166) with a four-burner glasstop hob and two ovens. A similar model will cost from around €12,500.

The kitchen is painted in Colortrend Tobacco Road bought from Stillorgan Decor (01 2885824). A five-litre tin costs €51.95. A diluted furniture varnish was then rubbed on top (in parts 3:1) to give the walls an antique look.

The media room, right, is classy: a company called Acoustic Images (01 610 4990, www.acousticimages.ie) imported the acoustic panels on the wall from the US. These are necessary to absorb extra sound in the room and prevent echo. The home cinema package supplied by the company cost around €16,500 with a further €2,500 spent on acoustic panels.

The cinema system includes a Yamaha 7.1 Home Cinema amplifier, a Jamo THX 7.1 wall speaker package, a Projecta 106” projector screen, an Infocus home cinema projector and Auralex Acoustic Panels.

The Italian leather seating came from Living in Bray (01 675 1898). The owner made the raised platform and had red theatre lights installed to illuminate steps. These are LED low voltage lights you can buy in most electrical shops.

An essential in any self-respecting media room are blackout blinds (www.blindsonline.ie, 021 4320111). The entire cost of turning the room into a home cinema was €20,000 to €25,000.