Like the look of this week's houses? Fiona Tyrell shows how it's done
The resourceful owners of Maxwell Road have turned a small understairs alcove into an atmospheric wine cellar which can hold up to eight cases of wine.
The lovely original brick used to frame the cellar was salvaged from a coal room to the rear of the house which was knocked a number of years ago. It was also used around the Aga in the kitchen.
The little alcove neatly stores two wine racks, which were compliments of a wine store in Wexford who no longer needed them for display purposes.
Febvre in Sandyford (01 2161400) sell a great range of wine racks starting from pine and steel racking that costs from €90 a bottle up to a solid French oak modular system that costs €10 a bottle. They also sell temperature-controlled wine cabinets from €1,600 and air conditioning systems for walk-in rooms from €2,790.
Two simple small light bulbs on either side of the racks and Chinese slate flooring (€50 a yard from Tile Style 01 855 5200) add a cosy cave feel to the area.
A smart Iroko-clad island is the centrepiece of the unusual open-plan kitchen/dining area at 2 Wesley Road. When remodelling the relatively small space, the owners were keen that the kitchen area would not interfere too much with the dining area. The services of architect and family friend John Feely, who works with de Blacam & Meagher (01 6681555), were called upon.
His design for the small area is smart and low key. A white storage wall that conceals all kitchenware is designed to blend with the walls and create a sense of space. The large island unit was inspired by old Georgian sideboards that were both very functional, with lots of storage space, and also very beautiful. This island has an oiled Iroko countertop and side, which is echoed on the wall of the rear of the kitchen. While many people would shy away from hiring an architect to do such a small job, it's not as expensive as you might think. Expect to pay around €8,000 to €10,000 for something similar, including materials.
Never underestimate how heavy paper is and avoid putting nice expensive books and objects on cheap shelves, is the advice from bookshelf expert Bill Roche from Oakline Kitchens, Bedroom & Home Offices, in Ranelagh, D6 (01 4626676).
Putting a wall of bookshelves in the generous passages of period homes is a common request and can work very well, as seen in writer Nuala O'Faolain's home at 3 Charleston Avenue.
Wide passages in period homes can often accommodate bookshelves on either side.
For something similar, to expect to pay in the region of €6,000. To avoid bookshelves sagging in the middle, avoid making them longer than 1,110mm, Bill advises. Oakline, which has been making bespoke cabinets since the 1960s, now offers customers a modular bookshelf system, which was designed over a number of years with the help of professional designers.
The average spend on a bookshelf In an alcove is €1,500. The great thing with the system is that it is designed to be disassembled and reassembled with a rubber mallet, so you can take it with you when you move.
An unusual squared red, cream, gold and black rug forms the centrepiece in the large livingroom in Las Ocas. Hand-tufted in China, the 100 per cent wool rug was purchased in Kashan Oriental Carpets in Sandyford Industrial Estate(01 2958154). From a limited edition collection from China, the rug measures 10ft x 8ft and costs in the region of €1,050.
Similar rugs from this collection are available from Kashan with prices starting at €530 for 8ft x 5ft rugs. The big trend is for modern rugs at the moment, according to Ralph Hance from Kashan; golds and beiges are in at the moment. The company also offers clients a bespoke service, allowing you to come in with your own design and choose from a colour bank. Prices for custom-made rugs are typically 10 per cent more expensive.
