RATHGAR:IN THIS FALLING market, vendors often want to spend as little as possible when readying a house for sale.
Refreshingly, number 80 Garville Avenue, Rathgar, Dublin 6, bucks this trend. The Victorian three-bedroom house been totally repainted and feels box fresh. That said, there are no requests to don blue plastic shoe-covers when you cross this threshold – it remains a fully operational family home. But in a market dominated by executor sales it will attract the attention of potential buyers who don’t want to incur the cost or the inconvenience of a big refurbishment.
The roomy, mid-terrace property was remodelled six years ago and given a very well considered upgrade. It is in walk-in condition. It measures 212sq m (2,282sq feet) and has an asking price of €950,000 through agents Sherry Fitzgerald.
The original house has beautiful period features including ornate plasterwork. Under the guidance of Irish Timeswriter-turned-interior-designer Eoin Lyons the entrance hall and landings have been painted a warm mid-grey – Manor House Gray by Farrow and Ball. The grey washes down to the skirting boards and over the dado rail to create a neat effect with no white to distract the eye.
The interconnecting reception rooms have complementary fireplaces, both have brass and slate surrounds. The rooms are carpeted in a blue/grey woven sisal and the walls are covered in a hemp wallpaper by leaders in the field Phillip Jeffries.
Two subtly different shades have been used on adjacent walls to add warmth and texture. These rooms successfully fuse modern and classic contemporary furnishings.
In the rear extension there is a large bespoke painted timber kitchen, with granite countertops and a Burgundy red Rangemaster, with French doors leading outside to a patio and lawned back garden.
The adjacent dining area is bow-shaped to better accommodate a large dining table and the adjoining family room gives the house a second, less formal area to get together and watch TV.
In the hall, a Paul Smith-style striped carpet runner in oranges and greys leads the eye upwards.
On the first floor return there is a large family bathroom and hot press. In the bathroom they’ve installed a Villeroy and Boch deep tub into a marble surround so that you can soak in the bath while looking into the garden.
There’s a large, stand-in shower with a rainwater head and hand shower. The walls and floors are Antica stone.
On the first floor there are three rooms. The master bedroom is to the rear and has coved ceilings, fitted wardrobes and an en suite bathroom that has room for a corner shower.
A second double bedroom retains its original fireplace and has oodles of storage. The third room is currently used as a children’s playroom and TV room. It is big enough to accommodate a single bed.
The attic has been converted. The large attic room has plenty of fitted wardrobes, eave storage and a shower en suite bathroom.
The back garden is north-east facing. There is pedestrian rear access. The parking out front is on-street.
