A house by the sea in Monkstown has been lavishly refurbished, writes Rose Doyle
LONGFORD TERRACE, Monkstown, Co Dublin has a tall, 19th century elegance and an imperious way of looking across Dublin Bay.Built in the 1840s, when it was impressive enough to draw comment from Thackeray as he sailed into Dublin, its external grace is echoed in a refurbished number 10 Longford Terrace, for sale by private treaty through Douglas Newman Good for €3.8 million which - a sign-of-the-times - is negotiable.
The phrase "no expense spared" could have been coined to describe the care which has gone into the reincarnated life of this house. In apartments when the vendors bought it some 15 years ago, it has been transformed with thought and taste into a 405sq m (4,350sq ft) home with vibrant jewel-coloured living spaces.
The layout emphasises the entertaining potential of the house but small changes would make this a family home. In the three floors over a garden level there are four reception rooms, kitchen/break-fastroom, two bedrooms, gym, office and study. A rear garden, overlooked by the spires of Monkstown's two churches, has steps to wine cellars.
The drawingroom is across the width of the house on the first floor and has three lavishly curtained windows overlooking Dublin Bay; it is decorated in gilding and shades of yellow and gold. The restored cornicing is elaborate and lovely, and there is an elegant white marble fireplace.
Detail everywhere is impressive; the toilet off the hallway is in black and red and has an oval basin in black marble. The diningroom has front-facing windows and a black marble fireplace that complements the lush colours of the curtains and walls. A small sittingroom off the drawingroom has a red and midnight blue colour scheme. On the top floor, the main bedroom has views to Howth.
10 Longford Terrace, Monkstown, Co Dublin -Refurbished house with four reception rooms
Agent:Douglas Newman Good
