CAROLINE REDDY. PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK RUSSELL-HILL

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Gabriella Angelina Carr
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THIS OLD HOUSE A HARMONIOUS BLEND OF OLD AND NEW ADDS UP TO DECORATIVE BLISS IN A PERIOD PROPERTY IN DUBLIN, WRITES CAROLINE

PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK RUSSELL-HILL Functionality was pivotal to the planning and decorating of this end-of-terrace property in

A home should work in harmony with its owner s lifestyle and this period house, which dates from mid-1880 s, is testament to

1 THIS OLD HOUSE A HARMONIOUS BLEND OF OLD AND NEW ADDS UP TO DECORATIVE BLISS IN A PERIOD PROPERTY IN DUBLIN, WRITES CAROLINE REDDY. PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK RUSSELL-HILL Functionality was pivotal to the planning and decorating of this end-of-terrace property in leafy Dublin 6. A home should work in harmony with its owner s lifestyle and this period house, which dates from mid-1880 s, is testament to this philosophy. Any mention of the word functional may evoke images of efficiency and practical design, often at the expense of aesthetics. Not so here. From the moment you enter this home, you are seduced by the calm yet opulent, contemporary yet classical vibe which continues throughout the house, a handsome space extending to 1,800 sq ft over three levels.

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THE EXTENSION TO THE REAR OF THE HOUSE IS NOW HOME TO A SPACIOUS KITCHEN WHERE THE BRIGHT, AIRY FEEL IS REINFORCED BY POLISHED PORCELAIN TILES AND BESPOKE CREAM UNITS WITH A SLEEK LACQUERED FINISH.

3 THE EXTENSION TO THE REAR OF THE HOUSE IS NOW HOME TO A SPACIOUS KITCHEN WHERE THE BRIGHT, AIRY FEEL IS REINFORCED BY POLISHED PORCELAIN TILES AND BESPOKE CREAM UNITS WITH A SLEEK LACQUERED FINISH. When owner Anne Groarke acquired the property in 2001, it was in need of extensive renovation. Her aim was to regain its prestige, restore its elegance and adapt it to modern living. Work began in earnest and the house was subsequently re-plumbed, re-plastered, re-wired and extended. Once the essential workings of the house were complete, Anne sought inspiration from a newspaper article which detailed how important the various decorative elements and colour schemes were in determining the overall success of a décor. Keen to do justice to her newly upgraded home, she enlisted the services of Ger Smyth, one of the interior designers featured in the article, to turn her dreams into reality. Fast forward a few weeks and mission accomplished! The result is clean lines and a chic, urbane look. But there s softness and sensuality, too, thanks to a stylish juxtaposition of different materials and a skilful use of tactile fabrics. The décor kicks off splendidly in the entrance hallway, which features an eye-catching retro chandelier, sourced from Stillorgan Dekor, which draws the eye to a high ceiling with intricate plasterwork. The salvaged walnut floor and the stairwell with a smart runner of Town & Country carpet with a chrome bar set the decorative tone: period with modern overtones. A wall-mounted antique style mirror, sourced from Clifford Antiques, bounces natural light around the area while offering a reflected glimpse into the drawing room opposite. A handsome area, its décor is loud without shouting: a neutral palette provides an ideal backdrop to showcase key pieces and strong accent colours. Irish Interiors 67

WHEN OWNER ANNE GROARKE ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY IN 2001, IT WAS IN NEED OF EXTENSIVE RENOVATION. HER AIM WAS TO REGAIN ITS PRESTIGE, RESTORE ITS ELEGANCE AND ADAPT IT TO MODERN LIVING.

Given Anne s need for a speedy delivery of new furniture, Ger turned to a number of local suppliers to provide the key pieces and accessories.

4 WHEN OWNER ANNE GROARKE ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY IN 2001, IT WAS IN NEED OF EXTENSIVE RENOVATION. HER AIM WAS TO REGAIN ITS PRESTIGE, RESTORE ITS ELEGANCE AND ADAPT IT TO MODERN LIVING. WORK BEGAN IN EARNEST AND THE HOUSE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY RE-PLUMBED, RE-PLASTERED, RE-WIRED AND EXTENDED. Given Anne s need for a speedy delivery of new furniture, Ger turned to a number of local suppliers to provide the key pieces and accessories. Taupe and cream damask patterned sofas, for instance, were sourced at The Sofa Factory, while the black lacquered cabinets which measure 10ft in height and flank the fireplace - were sourced from Global Village; the cabinets have a central circle, a feature which is echoed elsewhere in the room, with the round design appearing on, for instance, the cream rug. Other touches in the room include a Chesney Portuguese limestone fireplace and a feature wall boasting Ulf Moritz s pretty damask wallpaper over the chimneybreast. Opulent velvet curtains, meanwhile, continue the damask theme, while a chic black and crystal chandelier, sourced from Duff Tisdell, accentuate the room s elegant character. Ger mentions how, once she had ascertained Anne s decorative preferences and wishes, she set about establishing how the house would function to its occupant s lifestyle so as to achieve an optimum use of the space. The extension to the rear of the house is now home to a spacious kitchen where the bright, airy feel is reinforced by polished porcelain tiles and bespoke cream units with a sleek lacquered finish. A glass-top table with wenge trim is teamed with six wengetrimmed chairs to create a relaxed dining space that eliminates the need for a dedicated dining room. Consequently, what was the original dining room is now used as a living room; this reception area interconnects via an archway with the kitchen. 68 Irish Interiors

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6 THE MAIN BATHROOM IS A LUXURIOUS SPACE WHERE THE FOCAL POINT IS A FREESTANDING 70 Irish Interiors

BATH ON MAPLE LEGS. ADDITIONAL FEATURES HERE INCLUDE A PLASMA TV AND A BESPOKE VANITY UNIT WITH TWIN HANDBASINS AND INTEGRATED STORAGE. Chic yet comfortable, the living room is a fun and flirty space.

7 BATH ON MAPLE LEGS. ADDITIONAL FEATURES HERE INCLUDE A PLASMA TV AND A BESPOKE VANITY UNIT WITH TWIN HANDBASINS AND INTEGRATED STORAGE. Chic yet comfortable, the living room is a fun and flirty space. A predominantly neutral palette here is enlivened by a moss green L-shaped sofa, sourced from Living in Bray. This bright hue injects a shot of colour into the space and shows how the right pieces can make a statement without spending a fortune. The lavish theme is continued throughout the house via a series of well-edited details, such as custom-made Timberlaine radiator covers and a Town & Country carpet which is used both on the stairwell and in the bedrooms. Damask, meanwhile, is a recurring print which provides a stylish medium to add dimension and a tactile mood for each room, while simultaneously lending fluidity to the overall vision of the house. The main bathroom is a luxurious space where the focal point is a freestanding bath on maple legs. Additional features here include a plasma TV and a bespoke vanity unit with twin handbasins and integrated storage. Smyth s use of frosted glass panelling on the bathroom s sash windows and double doors is a clever feature which diffuses light into the adjoining corridor while ensuring privacy. Roman blinds in cream and taupe damask, which were sourced through Ger Smyth Interiors, complete the chic aesthetic. A shuttered sash in one of the larger bedrooms provides views over the rear garden and is dressed with French pleat curtains in a luxurious Maya fabric. The back feature wall of beaded, light-reflective Ulf Moritz wallpaper provides a sleek foil for the striking double bed with leather headboard. More impressive still is the master bedroom, an impressively sized room which spans the full width of the property and overlooks the front garden. Two original sash windows are beautifully preserved and are draped in two-tone verdant green and charcoal trim curtains, which are held by feathered ties, adding to the tactile decadence of the room. Irish Interiors 71

8 DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE PROPERTY IS OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD, IT MANAGES TO BOAST A CONTEMPORARY LOOK YET ALSO AN OLD WORLD CHARM. 72 Irish Interiors

Charcoal coloured wallpaper by Brian Yeats on feature wall above the original fireplace provides backdrop for ornate, gilt edged, circle mirror which reinforces the symmetry offered by the two

9 Charcoal coloured wallpaper by Brian Yeats on feature wall above the original fireplace provides backdrop for ornate, gilt edged, circle mirror which reinforces the symmetry offered by the two generous sash windows, in between which is another chrome circle mirror. The inspired juxtaposition of these old world features with contemporary and cheeky colour serves to add a light-hearted, relaxed atmosphere. The funky lime green bedroom chair, which was sourced from The Sofa Factory, and blood red rose-patterned footstool offer a welcome splattering of colour. A luxurious black velvet throw, meanwhile, drapes the generous king-size bed with walnut fitted headboard and matching lockers. A refurbished Victorian chair upholstered in rich red velvet takes pride of place on one of the return level landings. This, Smyth explains, was inherited with the house yet blends in perfectly with the new décor, epitomising the mix of contemporary hues with original pieces from the past. The bedroom at the top of the house is unashamedly romantic in its décor. The subtle antique white striped upholstered bed with distressed carved detail on head, foot and side panels from The Ranelagh Collection conjures images of the French countryside. A tailor s dummy draped in pearls, which was purchased from Avoca, accentuated further the romance of this room and conjures up elegant images of a bygone era, which is also recalled in the original fireplace. Despite the fact that the property is over one hundred years old, it manages to boasts a contemporary look yet also an old world charm. This sounds like an oxymoron but this precarious balance is somehow achieved thanks to Smyth s well-honed eye for colour and texture coupled with her inspired juxtaposition of original features alongside vibrant, contemporary pieces. Ger Smyth Interiors, Tel: (087) , ger@gersmythinteriors.com Irish Interiors 73

MODERN TWIST TRADITIONAL STYLE WITH A. feature

MODERN TWIST TRADITIONAL STYLE WITH A. feature One of Toronto s exclusive neighbourhoods, Lawrence Park, is a tranquil enclave, featuring meandering avenues and an eclectic blend of charming homes. In fact, in 1911, Howard and Lorrie Grubb, the founders