Before Studio 31 gave this Dublin 6 villa-style home a contemporary glow-up, even its fine-proportioned entrance hall had been turned into a bedroom.
Pics: Gatekeeper Media
When the owners of a Dublin 6 villa-style property first viewed the early Victorian villa-style house, it was subdivided into six bedsits and flats.
Even the entrance hall, at the upper level, which boasted period plasterwork, had been turned into a bedroom.
There was a single-storey extension to the rear and a decent-sized garden for this Rathmines, adjacent to the postcode.
It had lots of potential but needed significant modernisation.
The client had already engaged builder Sam Doran of S. Doran Construction and architect Mark Monaghan of Marchitecture, whose own home in Bray was previously featured in Home and Style.
Interior designer Robert Glynn of Studio 31 had advised the clients on an apartment they had been living in in the area.
The Victorian villa, built circa 1839, measured about 164 square metres.
Monaghan proposed installing an open-plan kitchen, living, and dining room at the garden level with glazing opening out to the low-maintenance but well-planted garden by Caragh Nurseries.
The couple’s brief was a luxurious finish throughout. They wanted it to accommodate two-bedroom suites, each with its own walk-in wardrobes and an ensuite bathroom.
At the entrance level, the hall has been returned to its former glory with a central pendant by Hudson Valley Lighting illuminating the coving and ceiling rose.
But look down at the floor treatment for this, which has been really well thought out.
It is a contemporary take on a classic design. Underfoot, there is engineered flooring, Mountain Mist, a white oak by Canadia, laid out diagonally to the front door and framed by a nine cm ebony border from Havwoods.
To the left is a library with built-in bookcases backlit by strip lights.
An electric fire has replaced the open hearth.
This room is painted a restful blue and features seating upholstered in Jab fabrics.
To the right is the first of the bedroom suites.
Each has subtly textured wallpapered walls and custom headboards.
The bathrooms have Crosswater hardware and feature large-format tiles from Project.
A spine steel staircase with oak treads, oiled to match the floors, leads down to the garden level.
The flooring below is the same colour as that on the first floor but is set in a chevron pattern.
It too has an ebonised border.
The second bedroom suite is at this level. It has a custom-made wall-to-wall headboard with a pendant overhead, chromed to match the rest of the fixtures, from Mullen Lighting.
The main attraction is the large open-plan kitchen living area.
It features a design by Glynn that was fabricated by IG Woodcraft.
It features undercounter units along the window, where the hob is set into a Dekton Halo worktop.
These are finished in the soft neutral, Colourtrend Bonaire, a favourite of Glynn’s.
Across the room are floor-to-ceiling cabinets that include a pantry and a Dekton-lined appliance garage.
The same Et Marquina Dekton clads the island with a waterfall finish.
The sink is in the island.
On the seating side has oak timber slatting set onto a base that is painted RAL 9005.
The stools came from Midj, while the overhead pendant is by Nemo Lighting.
Glynn ordered the bespoke dining table and chairs from Portuguese-based Stylish Club.
The table has a solid top and veneer round pillar legs.
The wraparound back dining chairs are upholstered in a micro-suede, a few shades darker than the cabinetry, which is scrubbable, should there be any accidents.
A large-sliding door opens out to the paved patio.
Glynn charges from €800 per room in terms of consultancy fees, on top of the purchase of the items specified for the space.
This job, pictured, cost a six-figure sum.
Once extended, the home measured about 210 square metres and included a clever car device for getting out of tight corners.
A turntable was suggested by Monaghan to ensure ease of access to the exit.
To book a consultation, visit Studio 31.
