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1930s, Art deco, United Kingdom

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland (image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

Stunning architecture and so much potential with this 1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

Cushendall is part of the Causeway Coast and Glens district and a conservation area, so it’s a nice part of the world to live in. And this house has a prime spot.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

This two-storey (largely) art deco (and now listed) design was built in 1933 by local contracting firm John Carey. There are elements of modernism and the international style of the day, but overall, I would pitch this as an art deco house.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

It was built for Mr James Finnegan, who settled in Cushendall and set up an electricity works in the village. He lived there until his death in 1949, and the family continued to live there until the mid-1950s. It has changed ownership on a few occasions since.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

That’s not always a good thing for houses, which often suffer from constant modifications as new owners come and go. Not so much this one, which is why it is so appealing. Yes, the original windows have been replaced by modern uPVC, but that’s pretty much the only change in terms of the architecture.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

Of course, as you would expect, the interior has changed, with the best part of a century passing. But not radically. If you want the period art deco house, nothing is stopping you here. This could be very special with the right budget, careful restoration, reworking of the existing space, and the correct fixtures and fittings.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

A viewing would be needed to examine the state of the house and the original fittings still in place. But that wouldn’t be a bad thing. Imagine looking around this place and taking in the views from the terraces.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

Yes, that’s a big selling point. Being able to look out over the sea each morning from the windows and the balcony/terrace space. If you have the budget to put in some authentic Crittall windows, all the better. Because that would be the perfect finishing touch to this one.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

As I hinted above, the design is art deco in style. It has a simple white rendered exterior with stepped parapets and tubular railings. All of that is set above a basement area that lifts the house to make the most of its setting.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

It looks amazing from every angle, thanks to the gently curved architecture, the flat roof, the greenery around contrasting the white frame, and, of course, the coast to the front. I can’t think of many better settings.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

This kind of house is never for the faint-hearted. Age, setting and size mean this one will need investment – and constant investment – to keep it at its best. But if you love art deco, this might be your dream house. And it’s a lot of house for the money. I’ll come to that later.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

But for now, let’s look at what you do get: a large house on an elevated site with panoramic views over Cushendall Bay. The agent isn’t afraid to mention the need for modernisation. It has been updated in parts and maintained. But it needs bringing together more. A consistent look and feel, ideally based around the 1930s.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

That doesn’t mean some kind of museum. If you upgrade the windows, go for an understated look across the house, keep the furnishings and fittings in keeping with the original era, and upgrade the kitchen and bathrooms in a modernist style, I think this would be quite stunning.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

More significant work might be required in terms of flat roofs or the exterior, for example. The basement area would need checking out, too, but a survey should pick out anything of note so you know where you stand. And yes, that all-important viewing.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

The interior already benefits from a fresh, white finish, and I love the dining room with its wood panelling—presumably original to the house—and possibly the lighting, too. The window in that room frames the sea views perfectly as well.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

The staircase is also worth talking about. It curves gently up from the ground floor, illuminated by the window that runs almost the height of it. Lovely design,

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

In terms of the layout, the entrance hall has a cloakroom and access to the stairs I mentioned above. It also leads to a lounge with a fireplace and sliding doors to a balcony overlooking Cushendall Beach.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

Beyond that is a bar, which has a hatch to the star of the show, that dining room with wood panelling. That needs to be maintained at all costs. The kitchen is also beyond that, and it is a large space, but it is likely one of the rooms you will be looking to update.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

A rear hallway has a door to the side of the property, and it has a cloakroom and a utility room off it.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

Head up the staircase to the first floor and the bedrooms. The first of those has an en-suite shower room, as does the second bedroom. Two further bedrooms on this floor, both with fitted wardrobes, as well as the family bathroom. But that’s not quite it for space.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

Although not mentioned, I presume there is substantial space below. If that’s the case, Do chase it up, as it could be quite useful. What is there is a tarmac drive with plenty of parking space, along with a double garage.

1930s art deco house in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
(image credit: PJ McIlroy and Son)

 

The agent also mentions the gardens, which consist of a lawn at the side of the property with planted shrubs and mature hedging. Note also the terraces, paved patio areas, and something you might well have missed—your very own outdoor swimming pool.

I think that’s it, apart from one important thing. The price. This one is up for offers around £650,000.

Images and details courtesy of PJ McIlroy and Son. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.

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