See how a vacant Cork farmhouse got a glamorous new lease of life

Leaving her career as an accountant she opened for business this summer and is keen to share her knowledge of the renovation process. “I had never done something like this before and I get a lot of questions about it so I’m running an interiors event next year so people can come and see the house and learn from my experience,” says Ciara.

“It's really about how to maximise your design choices during the renovation and construction, versus waiting until the property is built and then being limited in layouts and lighting.” We’ve already had some insight into the process in an episode of RTÉ’s At Your Service where the Brennan brothers brought their hospitality expertise to assist Ciara in the transformation. “My mother saw an ad looking for people to apply to the programme but I never expected to be chosen,” says Ciara. “John and Francis were amazing and they keep in touch to see how I’m getting on.” 

CEA Architects helped ensure Ciara’s vision shows sensitivity to the age and character of the house, all the while allowing for the inclusion of the mod cons expected by guests occupying four tasteful bedrooms. “It’s the original concept of a B&B,” she says. “The guests are welcomed and looked after, not like an Airbnb.” 

As the bean an tí of Barnahown, she’s a natural, focusing on local produce and services in the day-to-day running of the B&B, and giving me a warm welcome with a pot of strong tea and chocolate biscuits, which sadly were left untouched as we were too busy sharing interiors stories.

Downstairs Ciara guides me through the original reception rooms to the front of the property which have traditional lime-rendered walls and poured concrete floors with a gleaming polish finish continuing throughout the downstairs rooms.

A palette of neutral walls with sage green on woodwork is occasionally accented with what Ciara calls rosy pink. “I call this room the parlour,” she says, inviting me into a cosy space where guests can relax. “In the evenings I serve a producer plate here to guests with local produce and they can help themselves to a drink from the honesty bar.” 

Across the hall is her reception. It’s here guests are welcomed on arrival and where you’ll find examples of vintage furniture she has sourced online including the rare find of an Ercol Windsor sofa.

But it was the hiring of interior designer Catherine O’Flynn which proved to be invaluable, particularly when dealing with the pressure of relentless decision-making which comes with a project of this nature. “Halfway through I become totally overwhelmed,” says Ciara.

 “I saw what Catherine did with the Regal cinema in Youghal and wanted her approach with an old building. She helped me to consolidate. It meant I avoided silly mistakes and impulse purchases.” A charming surprise is a deviation from her relaxing colour palette in the farmhouse kitchen where an upcycled kitchen has been painted a warm sunset yellow.

From there, a transitional lobby leads to Ciara’s private accommodation and it’s a revelation.

An open-plan kitchen and living space flows into a bedroom cordoned off by a glass wall with doors which contributes to the feeling of volume and scale we’d associate with large new-builds while having the intimacy and interconnectedness of a studio apartment.

The green and pink colourway continues but makes a stronger statement, deviating from the main house’s palette on the walls and the addition of rich green upholstery on a contemporary sofa. The simple lines of a covetable bespoke birch-ply kitchen, free of wall units, keep the space light and airy.

Six months running the busy B&B and Ciara’s business brain continues to whir with plans. “It’s been a fast-track hospitality immersion for me but I’m ready for phase two," she says. "I have planning permission to convert the building next door for six more guests.” And there’s the promise of a covetable interior no doubt.

• Instagram.com/barnahown