Chalon kitchen, mirrored dressingroom, Techno gym equipment and a view of the Phoenix Park: a home in Castleknock is more than meets the eye, writes Alanna Gallagher
IN A CITY where privacy and space are at a premium, Silverdale House is an oasis in both the literal and the metaphorical sense. On the Castleknock Road, so close to the Phoenix Park that it could almost be its gatehouse, the substantial, detached property is hidden from view by a high wall and a row of silver birch trees.
It's a house worth getting hot and bothered about. Big black electronic gates open to reveal an expansive and mature setting that belies the extensive overhaul the house underwent two years ago. Silverdale is 325sq m (3,500sq ft) in size and is for sale through Sherry FitzGerald Lewis Beirne with an asking price of €2.75 million.
The original property dates back to the early 1980s but everything in it has been nipped and tucked to build a spanking new home with an extremely fluid flow throughout. The décor steals a lot of east coast American aesthetics so there's lots of natural stone flooring, whitewashed floorboards and, in the accommodation areas, deep pile carpet that sinks up to your knees.
On the ground floor, a roomy hallway opens to an expansive kitchen/ dining/sittingroom that is the width of the house. There's a Chalon kitchen complete with Aga and freestanding coffee and fridge units as well as a round island.
Everything is dusted in cocoa powder tones with textured linen wallpaper consolidating the gracious atmosphere throughout. Skylights and super-sized sliding doors open up this space to the mature and well-stocked garden. This limestone paved space is enormous and east-facing and has a water feature with raised beds planted with rosemary and lavender. A sycamore tree shades some of the Phoenix Park view, which must be spectacular in winter. The roomy and well thought-out rear was designed by Plant and Planters.
Three sets of sliding glass doors on the internal wall of this room lead to the study, hall and lounge and, when closed, create the visual effect of an open house. There is underfloor heating in all the tiled areas but the owners also invested in large upright radiators in this main space so it's ultra-comfortable, even on the coldest day.
The study and lounge both have whitewashed floorboards and the lounge has a wall of upright reclaimed American barn wood which perfectly matches the linen-covered hall.
A staircase leads up to the first floor and four of Silverdale's five bedrooms. The main bedroom now comprises two original rooms - one was annexed to build a mirrored dressingroom with walk-in closet space, the kind of room every woman would give her Manolo Blahniks for. Everything is hidden from view (and dust) by mirrored sliding doors.
In the en suite there's a Jacuzzi bath as well as rainwater shower. Versace tiling features in the family bathroom and the other en suite. There are two more wonderful bedrooms on this floor with a large single as well; this contains the brains of the house - the alarm and sound systems.
On the second floor there is a sizeable studio apartment ideal for a live-in au pair or nanny. There's a large kitchen, complete with granite worktops with living and sleeping areas and a dormer view of the Phoenix Park. The space also has a large shower room.
The other room on this floor has been turned into a state-of-the-art gym with mirrored walls, air conditioning and Techno equipment, which is to gym bunnies what Balenciaga is to fashionistas. It's enough to get you in the mood to break a sweat.
The owner oversaw all the decorating herself. It's rich and luxurious and some of it may give you a little indigestion if it's not your style, but the core of this home is wonderfully proportioned, with no expense spared on investing in the best raw materials to give it a really polished finish.
With all the back-end work done it offers the next owner oodles of potential to recreate the space in their own likeness, without having to break as much as a well-manicured fingernail to do so.
