Deliciously decorated period property in Dublin 2 with a monochrome palette has contemporary creature comforts.
Period properties have oodles of charm. The lives lived in the space, the ceiling heights, coving, ceiling roses and architraving all add layers of texture.
The trade-off is that they can leak heat, and you end up swaddled in layers of sweaters and/or crippled by ever-rising utility bills.
Address: 26 Erne Street Upper, South City Centre, Dublin 2, D02 VN28
Asking price: €875,000
Agent: Owen Reilly
Number 26 Erne Street Upper, a couple of doors up from the Pearse Street end of this Dublin 2 docklands address, boasts a B1 BER rating, the benefit of a deep renovation a couple of years ago.
This was overseen by Grace Macdonald of Grace Interior Design, who selected the monochrome palette for dramatic effect.
Farrow & Ball’s Railings is on doors, architraves and windows, and while the effect can appear stark in photography, in real life the colour skews much softer, for it has blue undertones.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom, villa-style property has had its basement level tanked with both floor and wall insulation added. Exterior insulation was added to the back of the west-facing property.
The works included a new roof and the restoration of period features, including timber sliding sash windows to the front, and new black aluminium glazing to the rear.
The extensive upgrades and retrofitting of the property have given it a B1 Ber rating.
The front door is up a few steps and opens into a spacious hall.
The house has a split-level layout set over four different levels.
At the hall level, the interconnecting reception rooms are to the left with the sitting room to the front, its furniture set around an inset fire.
Double doors lead through to the kitchen.
The Danish design is by The Panelling Centre and features quartz countertops.
A set of steps takes you down a level to where there is an open study and a large shower room featuring hardware and terrazzo-look tiles from Design Emporium.
A Crittal-look door opens out to a small patio that is private and bounded by bands of horizontal timber detailing fixed with downlights to add an after-dark ambience.
Another set of steps takes you to the basement level, where the ground level was excavated to deliver good ceiling heights.
The principal bedroom is to the front and looks out to the lightwell.
The room features acoustic panelling above the bed to soften sound and to add warmth through layering.
It’s a detail that is carried through to the study area above, which features ambient strip lighting above it.
The room is ensuite, with Macdonald choosing to create curved walls to soften the entrance to the room and create visual interest.
The second double at this level is to the back and overlooks the patio.
The third bedroom is at the top of the house, accessed via the stairs in the hall.
It is a light-filled space thanks to the addition of clerestory windows to the wall adjoining the window.
Agents Owen Reilly is seeking €875,000 for the B1 Ber-rated house, which extends to 108 square metres.
