![A GRAND DESIGN A GRAND DESIGN](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5148/492925/5f2965425f02f/A-GRAND-DESIGN.jpg)
Emsworth sits at the heart of a 17-acre estate, surrounded by ancient woodland, just eight miles north of Dublin. A kink in the quarter-mile drive reveals the first glimpse of the white-washed 18th-century Palladian villa designed by James Gandon. It is now a place where classical and contemporary designs merge to create a breathtaking garden panorama where meticulously manicured emerald lawns are fringed with the estate’s magnificent specimen trees – cedar of Lebanon and the giant redwood, Sequoiadendron gigantea. This country idyll is sliced through with a sleek, stone-edged canal pond, a modern trajectory that darts towards the house, punctuated by clean-shaven box pyramids and balls. A quartet of parterres filled with pink scented Rosa ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ softens the entrance, proportionately in tune with the relatively modest scale of the house. This is the remarkable first impression designers Murphy + Sheanon have created for this beautiful Irish home.
Not so long ago, the entire Emsworth estate lay neglected, strangled by nature and chained in by abandoned security fencing. This unique proposition tempted Dublin businessman Neill Hughes. He acquired Emsworth in 2014 and embarked on an immense programme of restoration and reinvention, keen to create relevant and radiant gardens, while simultaneously, potentially paradoxically, making a garden for his family’s enjoyment and entertainment.
This story is from the September 2020 edition of Homes & Gardens.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2020 edition of Homes & Gardens.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![THE NEW SHANGRI-LA THE NEW SHANGRI-LA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5148/1754732/YDV7KcBKh1720690230474/THE-NEW-SHANGRILA.jpg)
THE NEW SHANGRI-LA
Across the globe, garden designers are creating paradise-like spaces by embracing the flora and heritage of indigenous landscapes
![A QUIET PLACE A QUIET PLACE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5148/1754732/ZoOCJzqMz1720689676121/A-QUIET-PLACE.jpg)
A QUIET PLACE
The beauty of this restored Mallorcan villa is its stillness, both inside and out - and it makes whoever comes to visit completely relaxed
![THE HOUSE OF FUN THE HOUSE OF FUN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5148/1754732/H_wZQ_TAC1720689481227/THE-HOUSE-OF-FUN.jpg)
THE HOUSE OF FUN
Fearlessly flamboyant is the best way to describe every space of this 1960s French Regency-style mansion in the hills of Los Angeles
![HEART & SOUL HEART & SOUL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5148/1754732/zBIkdP9E71720689153406/HEART-SOUL.jpg)
HEART & SOUL
A sophisticated use of fresh colours and playful patterns has ensured this modern Singapore apartment is full of character
![IT'S WARM INSIDE IT'S WARM INSIDE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5148/1754732/Z3nA8Xj3Q1720688965272/ITS-WARM-INSIDE.jpg)
IT'S WARM INSIDE
In designer Stephanie Barba Mendoza's home, everything was chosen to make her feel cocooned, looked after and full of joy
![Shopping trips Shopping trips](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5148/1754732/P7_MLoM4o1720688797162/SHOPPING-TRIPS.jpg)
Shopping trips
This month, Joy Moyler details her strong desire to travel and the pieces she loves collecting along the way
![A step ahead A step ahead](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5148/1754732/0vef5cPgr1720685472728/A-STEP-AHEAD.jpg)
A step ahead
A staircase has a dramatic impact on an interior and a great one is both beautiful and practical
![Make an entrance Make an entrance](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5148/1754732/sxNj7BeMA1720685351017/MAKE-AN-ENTRANCE.jpg)
Make an entrance
Tiffany Duggan of Studio Duggan opens the door planning and styling a small hallway
![STATE OF THE ART Collector's piece STATE OF THE ART Collector's piece](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5148/1754732/g9vbdn5V61720685074956/STATE-OF-THE-ART-COLLECTORS-PIECE.jpg)
STATE OF THE ART Collector's piece
Six interior designers tell us the artists we should be investing in right now
![Mexican revolution Mexican revolution](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5148/1754732/IsRdSEKO21720684949253/MEXICAN-REVOLUTION.jpg)
Mexican revolution
Creatives are restoring abandoned homes from the Yucatán's golden era and there's lots to learn from these historic houses