White Lodge, a big bungalow on 1.6 acres, lured its owners from Greystones more than a decade ago.

The detached house has arts and crafts influences that the owners believe are Russian dacha design features by renowned Russian architect Ivan Giltsop. Giltsop was responsible for the unusual Old Russian Village, an enclave of about 20 houses in Kilquade, whose features were inspired by the country homes of the architect’s native Russia. It has exposed beams, lead-paned windows, and when they purchased it was completely clad in cedar shingle, the owner recalls.

Set on the edge of Bellevue Woods, the four-bed property measures 155sq m (1,675 sq ft) and offers children the chance to run wild because one third of the vast garden is forested and includes Scots pine, oaks and a rare Hornby tree. A meandering stream forms part of the property boundary line and the children made many mud forts here when they were small. But now with the eldest child about to start college the owners are returning to Greystones for ease of access to colleges.

The livingroom has a brick and oak fireplace that is in the style of the Russian village and the leaded window panes, ceiling and upright oak beams, painted white by a previous owner, all lend a cosy country feel.

Garden room

The look continues into the kitchen, a large eat-in space with a vaulted ceiling with limed tongue and groove panelling in the ceiling and rooflights washing the work part of the room in light. A narrow stairs leads up to a lofty attic room, currently a bedroom, but it would also work as a den or home office. The narrow entrance belies the 13ft ceiling heights here.

The house has an American feel to its layout and includes a garden room at a level below the rest of the accommodation with doors opening out to a sheltered patio. This is currently set up as a music room with guitars and drums. The luxury here is that there are no neighbours in earshot to disturb.

There’s a further 63sq m (687sq ft )of space in the garage and attic. The property is asking €825,000 through agent SherryFitzGerald.