Not only that, it was one of the many unique features which won her and her family over when they bought and began restoring this mid-Victorian Lodge three years ago.

Now extended and filled with the abundance of light a dedicated painter thrives on, the four-bedroomed house is equally abundant in the charm stakes. Perched on Convent Hill in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, and bordered by its original stone walls and mature shrubs, the house proved the perfect canvas for Dillon and husband Tom Lupton to create a warm, family home.

"The very first day we came to view the house, my two girls (now 14 and 11) just ran through it, and then up the stairs to the rooms overlooking the garden. They felt it was like a fairytale house, and it was. We simply fell in love with it."

Cute though the property (dating back to the 1860s) was at the time, a busy artist and growing family were always going to need more space and so an original shed at the back of the house was converted into a generous kitchen, and also a bedroom and bathroom. Linking the original lodge to the new extension is a south-facing, open-plan living cum dining room.

"I really wanted lots of light, so this room has two sets of sliding doors stepping directly onto the patio, plus two conventional windows and, overhead, a circle window in the wall and two Velux windows, " says Dillon. The room opens straight into the kitchen, making this part of the house an inviting, informal place to work and relax.

Bespoke, handpainted heritage cream cupboards give the kitchen a homely, country feel and complement the antique pine floorboards. In the second living room, the original black and red quarry floor tiles combine with the stone-surround fireplace and cast iron, antique-style stove to make a cosy, inviting space.

Accommodation overall comprises the entrance hall, sitting room, office, shower room, open-plan living/dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and four bedrooms.

There are two pedestrian entrances to the property, and parking space for two cars. The very private side garden with patio (built with old stone salvaged from an internal wall during the renovation) is the perfect outdoor room for barbecues and summer parties as it leads from the central living room.

To the rear, the elevated garden is laid out on two levels and has wonderful views towards Roscrea Castle and St Cronan's Church. This secluded, leafy oasis is defined by a series of old gnarled fruit trees and, of course, the owners' beloved almond tree which, like the house, has undergone a whole new lease of life.

"The blossom has a heady scent and is quite beautiful.

Apparently the tree hadn't flowered for years, and then the first autumn when we arrived, it had a bumper crop of almonds and has continued to produce them ever since."

Price: 395,000 Agent: Victor Mitchell (0505-24000)