IRISH artist Philippa Bayliss has exhibited her paintings and etchings throughout the country. Now she is putting her home on view and visitors will find her charming cottage at Church Road, Bunclody, Co Wexford greatly reflects the style of its owner. The property is part of the Halldare Estate, dating back to the late 18th century; more recently, a small artistic community has built up in the area, of which Philippa is a member. From the start, the vintage of the house is reflected in the pretty exterior with its restored sash windows and half-glazed door.

Philippa has painted most interior rooms white as a backdrop for her paintings, and collection of family heirlooms and several antiques acquired at auctions. There is a handpainted frieze in each of the two front bedrooms, inspired, says the artist, by the little song birds who visit the sunny garden.

Accommodation comprises four bedrooms; sitting room; kitchen/dining room;

bathroom and shower room.

Outside is the garden which includes a raised vegetable bed where runner beans, tomatoes and courgettes flourished last summer. The garden also has a decking area with container plants.

Evidence of a painter at work is very obvious to the rear of the house where a bright studio was created during the renovation. Philippa had the wall knocked between two former bedrooms to create this space, and subsequently installed two Velux roof windows to enhance the natural daylight.

Trained in London, the artist became a lifelong friend of Desmond Guinness in her teens, during a stint as a budding curator at Castletown House. Of that period, spent at one of the country's most famous Georgian estates, she recalls: "It was far less glamourous than it sounds. I was a general dogsbody, doing everything from cooking to restoration."

All of which obviously came in good stead when she went on to create her unique home.