Surrounded by an acre site of sweeping lawns with banks of evergreens, raised flower beds and mature shrubs, much of the interior of the house itself is separated from the tranquil greenery outside by a series of floor-to-ceiling windows, glazed walls and French doors.

The synergy created between the two spaces brings a wonderful sense of wellbeing, whether looking back to the house from the garden, or viewing nature from the open-plan living areas. Those natural benefits extend to the light, the abundance of which again plays a part in the overall feelgood factor.

This has not gone unnoticed by visitors, say owners Alan and Caroline Hughes who have held many a grand party and extended Sunday lunch at Willow Lodge for a cast of family and friends.

With a sun-trap deck spanning the width of the rear of the house, accessed from the vast open plan living area and several other rooms, 'great entertainment space' is certainly among the many superlatives to be added to a long list here. Sandstone floors, natural woods, pale ceramic tiling and a palette of wall and ceiling colours chosen from Farrow and Ball's easy-on-the-eye heritage whites, all give the property a contemporary and refreshing take on the traditional grand country house.

The couple bought here in Drummin West two years ago. They were very taken by the setting and the proximity to so many other Wicklow beauty spots. As for the then property, well, that was quite a different story, as Caroline explains.

"The house was originally a very run-of-the-mill bungalow of some 1,000 sq ft, around 18 years old and with not much going for it. . . We decided we would increase the space by literally building on another house to our own design, with steeply pitched roofs to give a more pleasing facade. The result is that Willow Lodge now extends to 3,350 sq ft and with wonderfully high ceilings in the living area, soaring to 18ft in the kitchen."

Alan is a builder, one of an increasing number with design-vision, flair and skill.

The finished project is a fine example of the type of country home and garden many modern families would certainly aspire to. In what had been the original bungalow, there are now four bedrooms, two of which are en suite, with the master opening directly onto the deck and garden.

The main bathroom is also in this wing of the house, and features a Victorian- style, free standing, cast iron bath and timber panelling painted in Farrow & Ball's pale powder blue.

Part of the radical redesign and extension includes the mezzanine . . . an additional living space for the family to read, relax or watch television.

As elsewhere, this space is filled with light from Velux sky lights overhead plus a large picture window looking over the garden. Leading off from this upstairs area is the fifth bedroom, again with garden views, and a separate shower room with sandstone floor.

The mezzanine also overlooks what is the heart of Willow Lodge . . . the bright, open-plan kitchen, dining and livingroom below.

These living areas are introduced at entrance level through double glass doors, and on into the main reception hall . . . both spaces with alternating natural stone and solid oak floors.

There is a separate living room apart from the openplan area, and this has an open fireplace and double doors to the deck and garden.

The big communal kitchen and living areas are where the action usually is and to towards which everyone naturally gravitates. As a result, not only will the Hughes be sad to leave Willow Lodge, their friends are sure to miss it too.

"There really is an amazing space for entertaining here, and plenty of room for everyone, " smiles Caroline. "Last Sunday, we invited six people to lunch. We actually ended up with 17 - it's just that kind of house."

Price: AMV 1.95m; public auction 7 June 2006 Agent: Sherry FitzGerald 01-286 6630