Portobello revamp: ‘When people say you will go over budget, listen’

For Sarah Duggan, renovating a home was always going to be part of her story. “We knew we wanted a house with character that we could put our stamp on. We viewed lots of properties in need of renovation and fell in love with this one.” “The one”, a redbrick terraced two-story in Portobello that dates from the 1900s, won Duggan and her husband’s hearts immediately. “I would love to learn more about our home’s history,” says Duggan.

The renovation project was extensive. “Having a romantic notion of a renovation project is one thing. We got the keys in February 2018 and moved in in October 2018 after completing most of the work. It was very much in its original form when we bought it, so it was a big undertaking to rewire, reinsulate and bring it up to today’s standards and regulations. The best money we spent was engaging the right professionals – an architect, builder, surveyor and family members who work in the industry.”

The finished space is inspiring – bright and elegantly furnished, with some of the home’s original features lovingly restored and reimagined. Each room oozes understated style and simplicity. “Our style is clean, modern, minimal, sleek ... We have a tight colour palette across each room, with most clutter hidden away in furniture or custom-built storage. Our favourite room is our kitchen/lounge. It is such a bright, sociable place, where we catch up at the end of the day, host friends, or relax and watch TV with our English bulldog, Darla, on the sofa.”

Clever use

Every inch of the property has been cleverly used and utilised to its fullest. A small terrace at the back of the house is smartly finished with a cedar-wood privacy screen (“It will age gorgeously, but the gaps still allow light through”). At the same time, the salvaging of two original cast-iron fireplaces is a personal triumph of Duggan’s. Now painted in matt black, they offer a unique and contemporary take on the traditional.

Other renovators and homebodies follow Duggan's keen eye and imaginative approach via her Instagram account, @portobellorenovation. Scrolling through the feed, it's hard to imagine the once unloved, derelict space as the polished, cosy home it is today. Not only has the Instagram account become a place where she can document the home's transformation, but it also offers like-minded dwellers the opportunity to connect and swap war stories.

“The interior Instagram community is just amazing. There are so many great people who can help you source things, solve problems, recommend solutions, and tradespeople. Also, It’s a great way to purchase preloved pieces other people are finished with.”

Antique eye

As for the shops and suppliers Duggan uses to furnish her home, she favours local, Irish and, where possible, antique. "Dublin has some amazing stores – CA Design, Pieces and Arnotts are firm favourites to visit in person, along with Hicken and Stillorgan Decor for lighting. I look online for second-hand or antique furniture. Gaff Shop is a favourite, as are Adverts and Done Deal. The Swan House [theswanhouse.com] is another absolute fave of mine – I've yet to purchase something, but I love following the founder, Sara, as she sources her pieces through estate sales in New York."

After almost five years of renovating and decorating, Duggan says there are no plans to make any more changes to the home. “We just want to enjoy it now – until I get the itch to change something.”

However, she does offer advice for anyone looking to take inspiration from her journey. “When people say you will go over budget, listen to them. They’re likely to be right. Looking back, we went over budget on investing in longstanding things within the house: insulating, roofing, etc. They are the important things worth spending money on. The fun and games with interiors can come later with a little more savings.

“Like any project, there are compromises along the way. At the time, it was deflating not to get everything we had on our wish list, but we adore the finished home we have today.”