The Lodge Revamp

Words by Julie Keary

Photography by Corinne Beatty

This beautiful Lodge built in 1830s is one of a series of lodges built around Black Sod Bay used as hunting and fishing lodges. They were built with sweeping lawns going down to the bay and each lodge had its own jetty where their owners could launch their own boats. This lodge has seen many owners over the years and was extended on either side in the 1980s. The kitchen and living in one wing and bedrooms and recreational rooms in the other wing, the present owners are bringing the lodge back to its former glory while also making it a functional family space. They commissioned Gillian of Trevor Morrows in Ballina to assist them with their renovation. The main entrance faces the sea with a glass paneled draught lobby leading into a stunning vestibule. Furnished with antiques sourced from the travels of the owners, Gillian had the job of choosing the colour for the walls for this original part of the lodge. A new Amtico floor was also installed which was very much in keeping with the original floor.

With an exceptionally long narrow hallway, beading panels were added to give it more dimension and also acted as framing panels for some stunning art pieces. The walls and the timber were painted in the neutral shade of 'Joa’s White' by Farrow & Ball which acts as a neutral backdrop for the owners works of art and antique furniture.

 Although the front door opens on to a magnificent hall, the rear of the house is more frequently used so this is where Gillian began the revamp.The initial brief was to redesign a dated utility room that had no function. It had to be transformed into a grander entrance. The final design is where form meets function, using the Neptune Suffolk collection. Gillian converted this space into a functional boot room, with storage. Function and practicality was the primary aim. She included a small seating area with a lift-up lid for the two children’s shoes and wellies. She suggested a paired back look, and created a room where chores like washing, ironing and storage for household bits and pieces can be tucked away. The carpenter made the tongue and groove wainscoting to architrave height and added coat racks on both walls. The units and panelling were painted in 'Driftwood' by Neptune.

The large WC off the boot room has extra high ceilings – so Gillian had the tongue and groove installed mid height and painted it in Farrow & Ball 'Down Pipe', the walls were papered in a Sanderson dramatic wallpaper. As this WC would be used mostly by guests it was important to create an atmosphere in this room. The basic sink was replaced with a Neptune curved washstand with ample storage.

The large open-plan kitchen / living room had dark walnut beams that drew the eye immediately to the ceiling instead of the magnificent view. The beams were painted in 'Dimity' by Farrow & Ball and were complemented by painting the walls in 'Oxford Stone' by Farrow & Ball. The black granite worktop was replaced with a neutral Silestone worktop with an overhang on the island to create an extra eating area.The existing kitchen cabinets were painted in 'Dead Salmon' by Farrow & Ball and the island was done in 'London Clay'.

Two large couches in the warm greys and blue were placed opposite each other and pattern and texture were added in the scatters and the rug. Although it took a bit of convincing, the room was finished off to perfection by placing a circular dining table in the middle of the room, the clients were delighted with this addition as it adds to every dining experience

This stunning revamp by Gillian and the team at Trevor Morrows has transformed this beautiful lodge while also keeping the integrity of the this period home in tact. The soft subtle changes of shades makes it a beautiful home through which to walk, making the flow and transition from old to new a joy to experience. The attention to detail is second to none and is now the perfect family home for this young family.

Interior design, kitchen, paint, furniture, fabrics, carpets and accessories were all purchased at Trevor Morrows, Bunree, Ballina, Co. Mayo.