When Naimh and John Willis fell for a 200-year-old cottage, they embarked on a sensitive, design-led renovation that honours their home’s heritage.

TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Jess Glynn

Mention a traditional home on Ireland’s west coast and a stone-built cottage comes to mind, with small windows and spectacular views, set against the soaring seascapes of the Atlantic mountains. This is exactly what the Willis family found when they searched for a home in Cork. It is now a retreat from their busy international lives, where they make memories with their two young daughters. “We fell in love with the charm and the old cottage style,” says Naimh. “It had a beautiful energy and a whole lot of soul.”

Naimh and John, an airline pilot, knew this 200-year-old home would need complete renovation. Built in local stone and dating from around 1800, the cottage had been maintained by the previous owners, but it was clear that it needed a huge amount of work and care.

“These types of old-style cottages are rare in the west of Ireland,” says Naimh. “We had to gut the house to the bone and rebuild everything from scratch, but we wanted to be kind to the house in every way we could, whilst making it super cosy with mod cons.”

The renovation began with a complete strip out and rebuild of the essentials: new plumbing, full rewiring and comprehensive insulation throughout. The latter proved transformative. As with many stone cottages, the house had been prone to cold and damp, so improving its thermal performance was key to creating a comfortable, modern home.

The couple laid insulation beneath the floors, with underfloor heating installed on the ground level. Naimh and John chose new limestone tiles to complement the cottage’s age and character. Upstairs, they kept radiators and laid limewashed oak flooring.

“The cottage was originally an E-rating, at best,” says Naimh. “But it’s now super cosy with fantastic insulation.”

The couple also wanted to create something that reflects their Irish heritage. “I wanted a home where, from the warmth of a fire stove and blanket, I can enjoy the view of the rain and the shades of green outside the window, while my daughters try and imagine how the fairies spent their night,” says Naimh.

It was a natural step to bring in designer Geri O’Toole, whom they found through personal recommendation. “I’ve worked with designers all over the world,” says Naimh. “But Geri’s ability to see my vision and bring it to life was incredible.”

Geri faced the challenge of restoring the cottage while preserving its character, working within the constraints of low ceilings, small windows and irregular rooms. Rather than cover up the stone walls and timber beams, Geri incorporated bespoke joinery that subtly adapts to the uneven lines and quirky angles of the cottage.

“The beams in the kitchen were covered in thick paint. We stripped them back to show the beauty,” recalls Geri. “And they’re one of the best features in the house,” adds Naimh.

Throughout, there is a ‘classic cottage’ aesthetic, with a definite luxury edge. The kitchen (with a vaulted ceiling) boasts hand-cut tiles and natural marble, creating a space that is both traditional and yet hard wearing enough for family life. Bespoke features elsewhere include the cottage-style doors, which are limewashed in a textured, matt finish. Naimh and John’s daughters’ bunkbeds are also bespoke, with a whimsical touch in the cosy corners, reading lights and bobbin-style trim. 

“With older cottages, standard sizes and layouts rarely work, so going bespoke allowed us to make every inch count. Every design choice was grounded in the reality of how the cottage is used,” says Geri.

The standout feature of the renovation is an antique rose pink fireplace in the living room. Sourced by Geri, it is framed by antique bricks from France, laid in a herringbone pattern. “This was our biggest splurge, but it was so worth it!” laughs Naimh.

The couple opted for reclaimed materials where possible to stay true to the traditions of the west coast. The palette is grounded in tones that connect to the landscape: greens, blues and warm ochres, and the result is cohesive and distinctive. “Pattern adds rhythm and a sense of narrative to each room,” says Geri. 

In the master suite, the wallpapered ceiling creates a cocoon effect. The headboard, upholstered in Pierre Frey fabric, and a bespoke copper bath, are juxtaposed with some antique pieces. This is a room that makes luxury an everyday essential.

On a practical level, layout changes created a ‘mudroom’ and pantry downstairs, while a new reception room, at the front of the house, boasts a tumbled limestone floor and discreet John Cullen lighting.

Clever layered lighting brings warmth and atmosphere to all the rooms. “We enhanced natural light through lighter-toned paints and reflective finishes,” says Geri. “And we layered artificial lighting by adding spots into window reveals, concealed LED strips, wall sconces and floor lamps.”

Now completed, the cottage is a modern family home that feels joyful, authentic and the perfect storybook setting for childhood memories. “Summer is amazing, we go for walks to the beach and enjoy picnics in the back garden,” says Naimh. “And Christmas is magical.”