The builders have been and gone in four homes from Dublin's inner suburbs to Co Kildare, leaving behind open-plan spaces with many extras

Dublin 8: €975,000 A terraced redbrick - 12 Arnott Street in Dublin 8 - which came on the market last year needing an update is for sale again, but this time it's in pristine condition.

The 1880s' house has been transformed into a smart, modern home with open-plan spaces and a white colour scheme.

Douglas Newman Good has given the two-bedroom house an AMV of €975,000 prior to auction on October 12th. The current owner bought it earlier this year for around €660,000.

Set in a quiet residential enclave off the South Circular Road, the 113sq m (1,225sq ft) home has been replumbed, rewired and replastered, and its layout completely reconfigured.

A short flight of stairs leads from the entrance down to the open-plan kitchen and dining area.

Dark solid ash floors and timber features provide a nice contrast to the white furnishings and neutral walls.

The diningroom has an exposed brick fire surround and fitted units.

The ultra-modern kitchen has a sleek, glossy appearance with teak worktops, shiny wall and base units. A large skylight gives the area a bright, sunny aspect.

Bi-fold glass-panelled doors separating the kitchen from a private, pebbled courtyard pull back to create one huge outdoor/indoor entertainment space.

Upstairs, the main bedroom has an original cast-iron fireplace and an en suite.

The second bedroom also has a cast-iron fireplace and overlooks the rear garden. A third room, with bi-fold doors and a skylight, could be used as a study or guest bedroom.

The property is within walking distance of Harcourt Street (which has a Luas stop)and the city centre.

Clonskeagh: €5m Number 3 Vergemount in Clonskeagh, Dublin 6 carries an AMV of €5 million prior to auction through Sherry FitzGerald on October 12th.

This double-fronted, two-storey over basement Victorian property has been beautifully finished.

With over 372sq m (4,000sq ft) of space, this is a house that has been completely renovated and is in turn-key condition.

On the first floor the drawingroom's angled bay windows were inspired by work on Montrose House, a previous project that was executed by Mantwood Investments.

Twin antique marble fireplaces flank it and the study. Both are fitted with remote-controlled gas fires while wood panelling adds period character.

To the rear on this floor are three of the five bedrooms.

A mahogany staircase leads upstairs to two main bedrooms for the couple who might like proximity but also a little privacy. Both have two windows and en suite bathrooms.

The pièce de résistance is the trio of bull's eye windows in the main bathroom. An extra 2ft excavated at garden level expanded its height.

The Patrick Canavan-designed state-of-the-art kitchen includes hand-painted tulip wood units with marble counter tops, felt-lined cushion-closing drawers and dual gas/electric five-hob cooker. These are fronted by a solid walnut island.

Other features include a Franke sink with gooseneck tap and disposable unit for environmentalists and a Gaggenau fridge with separate ice maker that distils the water before it freezes it, meaning single malt fans, who like their amber nectar on ice, need never leave home again.

The star of this amazing space is its entertainment centre, which offers optimum temperature and storage for a selection of red and white wines, a warming centre for nibbles or crockery and a separate drinks centre. There is also patio and garden access from four different sets of French windows.

A family room, a formal diningroom, bathroom, guest wc and large utility room with washer and drier (both capable of taking commercial-sized nine pound loads) complete this floor's plan.

One of the principal selling points of this property is the attention to detail throughout. Craftsmanship is in evidence everywhere.

The sash windows, surround sound system, solid oak and marble flooring, underfloor heating and cream Navan carpets in the bedrooms are all high quality.

The bedrooms feature fitted, double-height, solid walnut adjustable wardrobes. The entire property is awash with recessed spotlights and Velux windows add brightness.

A detached garage with loft storage and front-gate remote control make access to Clonskeagh Road easy.

The garden is surrounded by newly planted giant bamboo, birch, eucalyptus, box hedging, as well as three types of lavender and winter and summer flowering jasmine.

Ballsbridge: €5.5m Number 27 St Mary's Road has had a thorough makeover since it last appeared on the market just over a year ago. The four-bedroom semi-detached redbrick has been completed to an exceptionally high spec, according to sales agent Simon Ensor of Sherry FitzGerald, and comes with modern day must-haves such as surround- sound wiring, quality bathroom and kitchen fittings, recessed lighting throughout and a cool neutral decor. Mews potential at the end of the 80ft back garden adds to the value. The AMV is €5.5 million prior to auction on October 3rd.

The 232sq m (2,500sq ft) house turns tradition on its head with its bright white hallway floored in ceramic tiles and ornate cornicework above. Two large interconnecting reception rooms have a formal feel while a big airy kitchen extension to the rear is where most of the real entertaining will go on, overlooking the sunny back garden.

Co Kildare: €1.3m A striking architect-designed house in Athgarvan, Co Kildare has an asking price of €1.3 million. Set in a small development, Clearwater at Millers Weir has a generous 363sq m (3,900sq ft) of living space and half an acre of garden.

Selling agent Ian Smyth of Gunne Residential is keen to point out that Kildare has an air of quiet sophistication and is "not all farmers in muddy boots or horsy types in Barbour jackets" as some people perceive.

"Kildare has upmarket places to live without the keeping-up-with-the-Jones attitude," says Smyth.

Owned by an interior designer, Clearwater is a real statement home with dramatic vaulted and curved ceilings and an inner glazed courtyard.

The five-bedroom house has a gleaming Siematic kitchen with integrated appliances and polished granite worktops. Other rooms include a lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows and a brushed steel fireplace, a diningroom with double doors to a patio and a family room. A garden room has a 5.7 metre ceiling and track lighting. Three of the bedrooms are en suite and the main bedroom has a dressingroom with four double wardrobes and a bathroom with a sunken bath and power shower.

The courtyard area has a glazed roof and two electronic sky lights.Upstairs there's a study with glazed doors to a balcony with views of the Liffey. A fifth bedroom has wood panelled ceilings and recessed lighting.