How to copy the style in this week's houses
The Old Rectory, Glenealy
THE OLD Rectory in Glenealy has all the period trappings of a country house – but it is the attention to detail that really ups the ante on the property. The concealed and pivoting doorway built into a bookcase in the library is a great way to use space: this secret door leads into the snooker room. Higginbotham of Dublin (01 8471700) will create a similar effect for €12,000, using solid timber.
The diningroom has antique furnishings but the look is kept uncluttered by the use of recessed spots rather than chandelier-style pendant lights. A set of Regency English flame mahogany dining chairs similar to those here is available from O'Sullivan Antiques (01 4541143) for €27,500. They also have a 19th century Irish mahogany dining table like the one in Glenealy with splayed legs and paw feet, price €45,000. The wallpaper adds a vibrant pop of blue. It is Farrow Ball's Ranelagh Papers, price €102 per roll.
13 Merton Crescent
THE CHESTNUT laminate in the kitchen of 13 Merton Crescent offers a change from the usual whitewashing that goes on in Irish kitchens. The Siematic design's warm colour gives a contemporary feel as does the use of granite worktops. This kitchen, including appliances, costs €65,000. The Cattelan Italia Toto bar stools are €580 each. All are available from Houseworks (01 6769511).
The late 19th century Persian rug was purchased from Myles Quirke Carpets (01 2831565) in Stillorgan and cost approximately €2,000.
Elsewhere in the house there's a Nola three-seater sofa with chrome legs from Inreda (01 4760362). This slick sofa has an extendable arm that forms a chaise longue. Price from €4,250. It has removable fabric.
Serenity, Violet Hill, Killiney
BATHROOMS IN most homes lean towards the sterile; they're white and bright but lack much by way of personality.
Hedonists will love the shower room at Serenity, Violet Hill on Church Road in Killiney, a veritable exercise in decadent self-indulgence. It's slick and sexy and feels like a place you want to spend time.
The contrast between the matte wetroom mosiac floor and the high gloss rectangular wall tiles helps achieve the look. Both came from Tile Style.
But it is the voluminous curtains, each lined with four shower curtains to waterproof them, that really add a sense of pizzazz.
The cool blue hand-painted kitchen was designed by Newcastle Design (0404 65000). Something similar will cost upwards of€15,000. The hand-painting is by Clive Swindell of Colourshade (087 6622374) and is a mix of two Farrow Ball colours, French Grey and Wimborne White.
The Italian, antique-aged solid walnut kitchen table with wrought iron detail cost €5,250.
