These days developers are constantly upping the ante in terms of producing new homes with the designer touch. And The Village at Adare Manor is no exception. Marketed as an exclusive community, The Village which is set on the grounds of Adare Manor in Limerick, the ancestral home of Lord Dunraven, has been interior designed by Arlene McIntyre of Ventura. ie, who decided to draw on her early life for inspiration.

"I grew up in California, and love American-style interiors, so I brought in a lot of the furnishings from there, particularly the rich silks and other fabrics, " explains McIntyre.

To satisfy her love for all things American, McIntyre designed one of the houses in west-coast style, and one in east-coast style. "For the west coast look, I opted for a slightly nautical theme, concentrating on duck-egg blues, smoked oak floors, and luxurious silks, all combining to give a relaxed look, while the east coast look is more contemporary and fresh, where I've used a lot of burnt orange and blue silks throughout."

Aimed at the upper end of the market, The Village at Adare will have its own landscaped gardens within the 840-acre estate, home to its famous Robert Trent Jones Snr-designed golf course, and the Adare Manor Hotel. A mid 1800s Tudor Gothic mansion, Adare Manor was completely restored back in 1982 and is one of Ireland's most impressive period buildings.

Designed by Michael Healy & Partners Architects and built by McInerney Homes, these homes have natural slate roofs, limestone sills, walnut kitchens with granite worktops, elegant fireplaces, and underfloor heating. All homes come with one golf membership.

Need to know
Price: three-beds from 465,000; four-beds from 600,000; and five-beds 1m Size of unit: three-, four- and fivebeds from approx 125 to 232sq m (1,350 to 2,500sq ft)
Standard features: walnut kitchens with granite worktops, timber windows, under"oor heating.
Size of development: 69 homes On-site facilities: membership of the golf club, and access to hotel and leisure facilities.
Completion date: from late 2007 to mid 2008.
Transport links: close to train, bus and Shannon Airport.
Distance from Dublin: 210kms (131 miles)
Agent: Sherry FitzGerald O'Malley 061-418000