Manhattan decor finds its way to rural Carlow

Ten years ago this month Irish designer Sasha Sykes returned home from New York with her writer husband and baby son after several years of living in Manhattan.

They decided to go country and build a new home adjoining the Lisnavagh estate in Co Carlow, which has been owned by Sasha’s family since the 17th century. The Sykes family are now moving on to more urban pastures and putting their home on the market.

Finding a livingroom that exudes a powerful Soho House vibe isn't what one might expect in rural Carlow but then this house was inspired by its creative owners. Sasha Sykes is an artist who specialises in furniture pieces cast in resin. Her recent show Caliology at the Oliver Sears Gallery in Dublin featured native bird nests and was a sell-out. She also has an architecture degree from Edinburgh University. Tom Sykes is a journalist, author and ghostwriter.

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Farmhouse design

In 2009, fusing their love of rural and urban life, they built a four-bedroom house designed by Sasha. Ostensibly a traditional farmhouse design, it also integrated such luxuries as a lavishly wallpapered livingroom with a textured gold L-shaped sofa (designed by Sasha ).

The house is on four acres of land, including grazing and woodland, and has views of the Blackstairs and Wicklow mountains. The ground floor revolves around a large and slick central room, which serves as kitchen, diningroom and living space, along with an abundance of storage including a boot room, utility/scullery and hot press.

High ceilings and large windows enhance the natural light throughout this 204sq m (2,200sq ft) home, which has solid hardwood parquet flooring connecting to a second livingroom overlooking the lushly planted garden.

An outdoor hot tub lends itself to stargazing, while numerous seating areas, beech hedges and an earth sculpture, Mound, created by Sasha, make it a great party garden.

A fully equipped guesthouse – useful for an au pair or to generate an income accommodating holidaymakers – is also located in the garden.

Knocknagan is five minutes from Tullow, which has schools and supermarkets, and is one hour from Dublin. There are also good secondary schools in Carlow and big employers such as MSD nearby.

Unique approach

The Sykes have decided to sell the house privately. “We met several excellent agents locally, but in the end we felt that the house is so unique that it needed a really unique approach to get it out to potential buyers,” says Tom.

The decision to move has not been easy, given that the couple have spent so many happy years in their country haven.

However, as Tom develops his own property management business in Dublin, they have opted to relocate to the capital. “It’s been a tough call, but we are also looking forward to diving back into city life,” says Sasha. The Sykes house is seeking offers above €370,000. Email tomsykes1@gmail.com or check Daft.ie.