The focal point of the livingroom of 31 Convent Road (see new to the market section) is the original 1885 granite mantelpiece - cut from a quarry in Killiney - which they uncovered when renovating the house.

The owners used natural materials where possible to retain a cottagey feel. It is more spacious than the sterotypical cottage, though, with vaulted ceilings and white paint used thoughout to enhance the feeling of light and calm.

On a practical level, the 400 litre tropical marine aquarium from Fish Antics ( (01 2846364) segregates the cosy living space from the dining area. All the equipment including the Aquarium would come to €2,500 euro with the livestock costing about €1,000 euro. Keeping it in the family, the drawing over the fireplace is by the owner's mother, artist Carolyn Pearse and is of his sister Joanna .

The dining table in the kitchen is made from spalted Irish witch elm and was design by Rhatigan Hick ( 0404 46062) and cost around €1,800 .The chairs were around €350 each. The kitchen was designed by Alan Gallagher (046 9552635) and sprayed duck egg blue to match their prized Nigella Lawson bread bin.