Situated in the heart of Dalkey village, Coolbawn looks modest enough from the outside, save for the giveaway power-hosed granite steps and the off-street paved parking replacing the traditional railed garden. A stone’s throw away is the Dart station and the legendary Finnegan’sbar. While it is at the heart of the action, it also feels miles away from it.
When the current owners bought the property it was in need of modernisation so they took on architect John Bennett of Bennett McCleary Architects to contemporise the home.
Mr Bennett has made great use of every centimetre of space starting with installing a guest toilet under the granite steps where there is a smart round window. A small slice of space taken from the main living room has been used to create a utility room with storage that allows the open plan part of the home to remain clutter free.
Zones
Underfloor heating at this level dispenses with radiators which would distract the eye from the pared-back arrangement of living space which is in two separate zones. These are divided by a small enclosed courtyard, with glass on three sides.
The courtyard draws light into the middle of the room but it needs some greenery or furniture to integrate it more into the overall space.
The next owner might also consider covering the space in some way to retain the light and add a home office space.
The living room area is positioned around a wall-mounted box frame gas fire. At this level there is engineered oak flooring throughout. A simple white kitchen runs along one dividing wall. A trio of roof lights pour more light down on to the dining table.
Large patio
Concertinaed patio doors fold back to open the back wall completely to a great garden with a large swish patio area. Steps lead up to the main garden, which includes a raised lawn, planted beds and a path down to the pedestrian rear access.
Up the glass balustrade stairs there are three good-size double bedrooms – one overlooking the front of the house; a good-size master with a roomy en suite and a guest bedroom to the rear that could also be used as a study. All bedrooms have plenty of built-in storage.
The house which covers 185sq m (nearly 2,000sq ft) is asking €1.35 million through agents Vincent Finnegan.
