Down Under To Wexford Wonder

Returning from life in Sydney, Nessa and Declan set out to create a contemporary family home rooted in rural Wexford. Ten years in the making, the result is a light-filled sanctuary that blends Australian inspiration with Irish warmth and practicality.

A realisation of a long-held dream for its owners, this home was conceived even before their marriage. You could say, it’s a dream come true. ‘At the time we lived in Australia and even though we loved living there, we knew we wanted to move back to where we are both originally from. We knew we wanted to build a contemporary family home we could grow,’ Nessa begins. The build began in 2023, a few months after they moved back to Ireland. They chose Wexford architect Dermot Troy, ‘who had worked on some residential properties we were familiar with and we loved his style,’ Nessa reveals. She adds, ‘From the start, there was a rough idea: open living spaces, strong connection to the outdoors, use of natural light, plenty of storage. We loved how Dermot could shape a project to fit to the client’s style and also how the properties set into the landscape like it had always been there.’ Originally inspired by Sydney waterfront homes, the couple’s mood board gradually evolved into what they describe as ‘more contemporary country.’ Practicality informed every decision. ‘For example, where to have the car port or how to position the main kitchen and living area and how to maximise light and space in this area where we spend most of our time.’

Read more in the November issue…