Detached houses on corner sites often come with development potential, especially in suburban estates built in the 1930s, when large gardens were expected. In 2005 planning permission was filed for the garden of a newly acquired house on Woodlands Park off Mount Merrion Avenue. The idea was to keep the original 1930s house and build three new ones in the garden. And that’s what happened – eventually – with three strikingly stylish detached modern houses designed by O’Mahony Pike.
The original house also underwent a major renovation by the same architects borrowing some of the features from the new houses such as the zinc window treatments, and inside it has the look and feel of a high-spec new build.
All four were rented for the past few years. One of the new houses, called Druantia, came on the market earlier this year. Now the original house is for sale. Called Belisama, which isn’t badly spelled Italian but, according to the Sherry FitzGerald agent, the name of the Celtic goddess of sunlight.
Curious name aside, this is a fine family home with plenty of space and the all-done feel of a modern luxury new build but with a 1930s exterior to give it personality. It has five bedrooms, all double, two with en suites and all with built-in wardrobes. One is downstairs, near its own side entrance so it might appeal to buyers with older children or as guest accommodation that feels quite separate.
Downstairs the layout is interesting, and the white walls and polished limestone floors make it appealingly bright and airy.
Facing the front door is the glazed wall of the dining room, and to the right at the front of the house is the living room. The kitchen is at the back – it opens into the diningroom and also out to the rear patio, hard landscaped with granite paving and planted with grass and bamboo. The Dalkey Design painted timber kitchen has a large island topped with textured marble – all very smart. Appliances are integrated and there is a Brittania stove.
One of the nicest rooms in the house is also to the rear, just along from the kitchen – a bright informal living room with a glazed wall looking out on to the patio.
The house is set well back from the road with a newly laid lawn. The original wrought-iron gates – a quirky and very cute feature of this development is gates with animal motifs – have happily been kept. The house has been repainted throughout and has been furnished for the sale. Belisama is on the market through Sherry FitzGerald for €1,795,000.
