Emma Cullinan visits a newly refurbished 19th century villa whose charm shines through despite its minimalist appearance
Bought only four months ago and now completely renovated, 2 Grove Avenue, Blackrock will be auctioned on October 22nd by Sherry FitzGerald. It has a guide of €1.45 million.
The immediate thought, then, is that this is a for-profit venture but many will be happy to pay for the hassle-free renovation of a very pretty, semi-detached 19th century villa.
The new owner came armed with a team of builders, who were able to turn the project around in a very short time, a resource that few of us have.
This property comes with original coving, windows, shutters and floorboards.
The house has been carefully renovated using the colour palette favoured by the likes of interior designer Kelly Hoppen who had a bonanza with neutrals recently: a very safe mode of decoration. Here it takes the form of mushroom, cream and brown walls, stone coloured tiles and a pleasant beige carpet on the stairs and landing.
The house is approached by granite steps which arrive at a wide, central door, with strips of stained glass on either side.
The two reception rooms that straddle the entrance hall are decorated in a period style. Up the short flight of stairs is a double bedroom whose tall window, which nearly reaches the floor, shows how clever the architects of these houses were. The morning sun from the east must be rather special. The other pleasing aspect of such properties is the high ceilings.
The en suite bathroom has contemporary styling, with a wall of glass blocks enclosing the shower, and two chic, slender round basins. A roof light brightens this internal space. Next door is a small bedroom, again benefiting from a tall window, and beyond this is another double bedroom, placed beside a bathroom. This second bathroom is decorated in a Victorian style, with its fixed shower head, bevelled sanitary ware, black and white tiled flooring, and cast-iron fireplace. A round stained glass window adds a nice touch.
The new owner has opened up the basement, which used to be accessed by a side door but is now reached by steps down from the front hall. The large kitchen/diningroom, which stretches across the back of the house, was created by knocking down walls between former bedrooms. The dining area is floored in walnut while the SieMatic kitchen sits on large tiles.
The impressive kitchen has brown cupboards and drawers, brushed stainless steel handles, built-in appliances, rough pale granite worktops and a huge, sleek extractor fan.
The central island is a major style statement that will be talked about and around. According to one kitchen salesperson, guests love to lean on these, wine glasses in hand. If there's an extractor fan above it, then male guests will give it a good shake, apparently, to test its strength.
Large windows and French doors lead from the kitchen/dining area onto the 80-ft by 46-ft garden. Decking, with an inset hot tub, provides a threshold between house and lawn. This large garden, complete with fruit-laden apple tree, has a countryside feel, especially as this home is in a quiet neighbourhood of detached and semi-detached houses.
Down steps from the kitchen are two more rooms, one currently styled as a livingroom and the other a bedroom. A long, thin bathroom, with brown tiled floor, sits between them.
The innate charm of this house style shines through although the renovation has left it feeling bare. What it needs now is human presence and paraphernalia to put the life back into this home.
