Hamilton Street is a small sleepy street off Donore Avenue in Dublin 8, and Number 21 is home to South African-born Ash Thulseepersad and his family.

Thulseepersad, who is executive chef at Gotham Café, purchased the house in 2013 for €265,000. “It was in an awful state when we bought it as it was laid out as five rundown bedsits, where each room had a bathroom. It took six months to completely renovate the property.”

The result is a bright and airy three-bedroom house which extends to 139sq m (1,496sq ft).

The interconnecting reception rooms now have simple fireplaces with volcanic brick hearths and contemporary iron surrounds, and they really work with the modern furniture and plantation shutters. The rooms might benefit from the removal of dark wallpaper which appears to shrink the space.

To the rear is a fine sized kitchen which opens out to a west-facing garden. Set over two levels, one with a dining space, the upper level has both vehicular and pedestrian access to Donore Avenue.

Upstairs are three bedrooms. The principal room is spacious and extends the full width of the house and features a period fireplace. Adjacent lies a second double bedroom, which shares a Jack and Jill bathroom with the main bedroom.

The third bedroom is a small single which allowed for a very spacious family bathroom on the return – new owners may decide to switch these around to have a larger third bedroom.

Prices on this terraced street have risen dramatically since the recession ended. In 2017, Number 18 in turnkey condition sold for €548,000 – its asking price had been €410,000. Number 21, also in turnkey condition, is seeking €595,000 through Felicity Fox.