Collins Avenue two-bed for €419,500.
The seller:Eimer Lynch, interior designer
Tell us about your house
It was built in 1932 at 60 Collins Avenue West, Dublin 9, by Dublin Corporation and originally had the bath in the kitchen. It was known as a 2s/6p house because that was the rent paid by its first occupants. I bought it in 1990 and have been very happy here.
What is special about the house?
The atmosphere! It was the first thing that struck me when I saw it in 1990. As soon as I walked in the door I knew that this was the one, even though it was in a fairly dilapidated condition at the time. It's the kind of house that makes you feel glad to be home.
What improvements have you made?
I'm an interior designer and in 2003 I gave the house a complete revamp. My aim was to make it as comfortable and maintenance-free as possible.
I now have a lovely, bright livingroom with wooden floor and gas fire.
I removed the fireplace completely as it overshadowed the room and added a black granite hearth.
The Shaker-style kitchen is Milano cherry with black work tops and matching Italian splash backs. From the kitchen there is now an archway through to the new conservatory/dining area.
Upstairs there are two bedrooms and a roomy bathroom. I use the second bedroom as a study but it would easily revert to a bedroom.
What are the gardens like?
The gardens at front and back are virtually maintenance-free. The front garden has a drive for car-parking.
The back garden is my pride and joy. It has been designed as an outdoor room. It has a very convincing artificial grass lawn, lots of pebbles and plenty of flowers and shrubs. It is surrounded by high, foliage-covered walls and it's a pleasure to sit on the patio in the evening and have a quiet moment. It also has pedestrian access which is useful for deliveries.
What amenities does the area have to offer?
Collins Avenue is very central and is near supermarkets, shopping centres, schools, Dublin City University, Beaumont Hospital and the Dart at Killester. For anybody wishing to get fit, it is a manageable walk to the city centre. Otherwise, there is a good bus service (and bus corridor) and for those wishing to drive, it takes between 20 and 30 minutes.
There is a gym nearby and it is close to St Anne's Park and the beach at Dollymount.
Who would buy your house?
It would be perfect for a young couple or a single person who might view it as an investment. It has all the advantages of a two-bedroom apartment but with the privacy of its own front door and the fun of having gardens to potter in.
Why are you selling?
It's time for me to start using my creative skills in earnest. Having qualified as an interior designer some years ago, those mortgage repayments snapping at my heels always seemed to outweigh my desire to set up in business. But I think the time is now right for me to take the plunge so I am moving to the west of Ireland later this year with a view to establishing an interior design consultancy.
To view
Viewing is by appointment with Remax at 01-629 5060.
Pitch your house:Do you want to pitch your house in the property pages? Email words and pictures to us at property@irish-times.ie
