Dublin 7: The artist couple who own number 21 Great Western Square in Phibsborough, Dublin 7 restored it back to its former 19th century glory in all but a few practical details. Edel Morgan reports.
When renovating the house, they stripped the walls back to the dark purples, greens and reds of Victorian times - but decided to go for a light, bright and airy colour scheme instead to maximise the sense of space created by the high ceilings.
Number 21 is on the market through Sherry FitzGerald and has an asking price of €440,000.
For those unfamiliar with Great Western Square, it comes as a nice surprise when you turn off the busy North Circular Road. It is a quiet, almost traffic-free enclave of neat redbricks surrounding a small railed park and is within walking distance of the city centre.
Originally a gated community built for the middle management of the Great Western Railway, quite a few of their descendants still live on the square.
Number 21 has 79 sq m (850 sq ft) of accommodation with a bright spacious hall and period ceiling arch. The walls of the elegant front drawingroom are painted pristine white - which the current owners use as an effective backdrop for a few well chosen pieces of art. The original coving is intact and white shelving either side of the fireplace has been tastefully executed.
Sash windows were made specially to replace aluminium ones and the downstairs was refloored with limed French pine. Period black cast-iron fireplaces look stunning in contrast to the bright walls.
An old extension to the rear was knocked and the kitchen was restored to its original configuration.
The former pantry, which was closed off when they bought the house, has been turned into a utility room with a Belfast sink and a Potterton boiler and is plumbed for a washing machine.
A large glazed and timber-framed patio door allows light to flood the kitchen and opens onto a very private decked patio area.
The suntrap patio has high redbrick walls softened with creepers and planting.
The modern kitchen units are cream and the high ceilings allow an extra layer of shelving. Light green walls and cream wall panelling give a cosy country kitchen feel. The kitchen comes with an integrated dishwasher, electric oven, hob and extractor.
The main double bedroom overlooks the square and is painted brilliant white with a cast-iron fireplace and the original stained floorboards. There is also a large single room to the front and a study/nursery to the rear.
The bathroom has been re-arranged to maximise space, and features the old Armitage Ware sink and a bath with tiled surround and a shower attachment.
There is a staircase to a roomy attic and a hot press on the landing.
