Two doctors completely transformed this dated Offaly bungalow into the house of their dreams
The couple, who bought a bungalow in Offaly, knew they wanted to create a relaxing home with ocean vibes, they had a vision to achieve their dream house and the results are stunning
Rebecca Wu, a GP originally from Canada and her husband Eamonn, a hospital consultant, bought a dated bungalow in Tullamore, Co Offaly which they transformed over a period of two years.
To achieve this, they worked with Ashen and Cloud, an interior architecture and design studio.
They wanted to create a modern, dynamic family home that would support the needs of their two young children and provide a warm and comfortable environment for them to spend their time together.
Read more: Inside jeweller Chupi Sweetman's beautiful Victorian home in Dublin
Rebecca wanted a sense of the home she grew up in Nova Scotia, so Susan from Ashen and Cloud used nostalgic landscapes and some North American style design references to ensure the character and personality of Rebecca and Eamonn was imbued throughout.
The resulting space is bright, fresh and contemporary, but with a distinctive warmth of character in all spaces. The palette stretches from blue and green to pink and peach, with extended neutral sandy tones and darker floors warming the white wall aesthetic throughout.
The coastal references reign supreme, both in the colour palette and the sense of freshness throughout, which, partnered with the bespoke joinery throughout the home, combine to showcase its unique character.
We caught up with Rebecca to see how she feels about her completed home.
Rebecca, did you have a vision yourself or did you leave it all in the hands of the designer?
The goal was to have a forever home which made us feel relaxed and calm after a busy day at work. We wanted a home that could stand the test of time with children during all stages of life - functional but not dated.
I knew from the beginning that I would need Susan’s expertise to help accomplish this. I sent her inspiration pictures which were mostly beach, seaside vibes, the rest was up to her and her team. She pushed my comfort level in terms of interior design, and I am delighted we trusted her overall vision!
How involved were you in the project?
100% involved! I have no background in renovations but appreciate good design and aesthetics. It was such a learning experience for me, from the building process with the builders and architect, to working through the interiors with Susan.
Despite not having experience, I was always on site and had regular chats with Susan, we worked together on lighting, room designs and furniture.
Is there anything you would do differently?
I love our home! I would make no changes to our house design, but I do have wishful thinking about swapping our little washer and dryer to the North American sized top loading massive machines! After nearly 20 years of living in Ireland, I’m still not used to the small European ones!
Scroll through the gallery below to see Rebecca and Eamonn's beautiful home!
Photography by Philip Lauterbach Photographer
To read the full interview and see all the pictures, pick up a copy of RSVP's Home magazine, on shelves now.
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The dining room has dark flooring with wooden furniture and beautiful ocean artwork. Image: Philip Lauterbach Photographer
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The kitchen is very open and spacious, with muted color tones. Image: Philip Lauterbach Photographer
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The wardrobes add a pop of pink. Image: Philip Lauterbach Photographer
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This cloakroom has a very modern yet cozy and relaxed feel. Image: Philip Lauterbach Photographer
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