Nicely settled into a quiet Kilmainham cul-de-sac, built in the early years of the 20th century, 7 Madison Road has a lot that will appeal to first-time buyers and downsizers. The asking price, €590,000 through agent Owen Reilly, is pretty appealing too.
Number 8 Madison Road sold for €650,000 in February last.
The vendor, who has owned 7 Madison Road for almost a quarter-century, has extended and modernised where necessary but been careful to keep the uncluttered, core Edwardian style intact. Now it covers a decent 116sq m (1,249sq ft) and is replete with original features,
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The honeyed hue of stripped and polished wood (floors, door and window surrounds), original fireplaces in every room but one (the sittingroom has a period-style timber surround), high ceilings, cornicing, a dado rail along the stairs and, in a nice touch, stained glass in both the front and the return doors which traps and colours sunlight as it falls between them.
The rear kitchen/breakfastroom has two walls of timber-framed, floor to ceiling windows overlooking a sheltered, sandstone-paved patio. Put in place in 2001, this is high walled and nicely planted with bamboo, an Old Dublin Bay climbing rose and passion fruit. It gives access to a laneway and Mayfield Road. The breakfast area, with a Travertine floor and feature metal-support girder, is divided by a counter from an extremely well-fitted kitchen. The under stair has a guest WC.
Interconnecting reception rooms, where the Edwardian feel is strongest, have a double door between them and tall French windows to the patio. The diningroom’s dark marble fireplace has inset red tiles, the floors in both are of polished timber and a front bay window allows in plenty of light. The hallway too is original in character with a small ceiling rose, corbels and picture rail.
A small bedroom on the return has had a chunk taken out of it to create what is a good bathroom with separate shower and free-standing bath. The top landing has a pleasant skylight and leads to the main, front-facing bedroom. This has a couple of Munster Joinery sash windows (installed 12 years ago) and a cast-iron fireplace with green inset tiles. The third, rear bedroom has another cast-iron fireplace and views over city roofs and gardens.
A floored attic has Stira access and there is a small, railed front garden.