The modern double gabled mews house on the curve on York Road, Rathmines will be well known to anyone with an interest in architecture. The exterior was built from the rubble of a small 400sq foot coach house which had a large garden that the owners asked Shane Santry of SSA Architects to reimagine.
Given that they already had a farm in Co Wicklow, they didn’t need a big garden in their city pad. Instead they made use of almost the entire plot to build a 189sq m (2,034sq ft) contemporary residence that faces inwards, repurposing the granite in the original construction to use in the gable walls to link the new build with an existing stone wall on that side of the road and making the structure look older than it is. The property was completed in 2007.
From the road the house is completely private with only glass block window on the stairs giving any hint of life.
Inside the house is a light and airy galleried space. A double-height hall gives way to a large living cum diningroom with walnut doors and flooring. It overlooks a completely private paved courtyard big enough to set up some sun loungers with fold-back windows opening the room to the sun. Off it is a narrow galley kitchen with a glass block window. The space has granite counters and an Italian stone floor.
At the other end of the hall is a room that most home owners would give their eye teeth for. The Hollywood-finish screening room is a luxury that most of us can only dream of. It has special cinema-style leather loungers, imported from Miami, complete with cupholders, a sound system to rival Savoy 1 and a big screen standard projector. The owners confess to bingeing on box sets at weekends. While very much an adult space, teenagers would adore this special feature.
Private
Upstairs there are three double bedrooms – one is currently used as a home office another has a nice shower en suite but no wardrobe space.
In contrast the master bedroom is an exercise in scale and uncluttered restfulness. It has a wall of glass to give gorgeous natural light with plantation shutters making it feel completely private. There is a wall-set gas fire for atmosphere and a walk-in wardrobe to keep clothing from view.
To the left of the bed is a large vanity area and a huge en suite bathroom with a whirlpool effect tanker of a bath.
The property is asking €985,000 through agent Felicity Fox. Parking is on street.
