Dublin's modest Victorian houses have come into their own in the last decade or so. Refurbished, remodelled and redecorated, many have held on to the best of their original features while adding comforts their 19th century owners could only have imagined.

A house on Upper Mountpleasant Avenue, in Rathmines, Dublin 6, is a case in point. Thoughtfully restored, Number 49 is a blend of traditional elegance and vivid colours with a stylish and efficient kitchen/breakfastroom, two reception rooms, three bedrooms and large family bathroom with separate shower. The decor is the work of artist Emma Webb, whose colours - shades of orange and yellow for the most part - recreate a sense of lush Victoriana. Doors throughout have been stripped back to the wood and there are original fireplaces in most rooms.

The interconnecting reception rooms are used as one large livingroom and have been sponge-washed in a bright ochre, which goes well with the dramatic effect of black paint on the floorboards. The original fireplaces, in slate and cast-iron, have also been painted black. A deep bay window to the front has been given a trompe l'oeil wood panelling effect, the double doors between are partly glass and the cornices and ceiling roses are original and intact.

The entrance hallway, high-ceilinged and with a typical arch making the division between the front and back of the house, has another set of yellow walls and black floorboards. Coloured leaded glass around the entrance doorway adds to the sense of drama. There is a guest lavatory under the stairs.

The kitchen/breakfastroom, on the return, breaks with the lush extravagance of the rest of the house and goes for a spare, uncluttered look. Both have off-white painted brick walls, black slate-tiled floors and wooden fittings. The bench seating along two walls of the breakfastroom, as well as the made-to-measure table, will be sold with the house.

An arch leads to the kitchen. Shaker-style, it has a cleverly varied range of cupboards and presses, a Belfast sink, beech worktops and Ariston oven. Doors conceal the washing machine, dryer and fridge-freezer. A Velux window makes for plenty of light. The fitted blinds, in a burnt orange with green, and similar to others in the house, will remain.

The stairs have brass rods and lead up to the return and the family bathroom. Originally two small rooms, it has a black-painted timber floor, red walls and, on a dais, a replica Victorian bath painted a matching red. The large shower cubicle has black slates and is concealed behind a glass-panelled wooden door. On one side is a wash-hand basin, with a lavatory on the other.

Coloured light from a leadedglass window spills on to the top landing, off which there are the three bedrooms. The smallest is to the front and has orange walls, a dado rail and black floorboards. A ladder leads from this room to the attic which has been floored, had its exposed brick walls painted white, given a Velux window and fitted with phone, fax and modem outlets. A second bedroom has a black-painted fireplace with fitted timber-fronted wardrobes and storage on either side.

The third bedroom has another fireplace and a black-slated en suite with shower, wash-hand basin and lavatory and black slates on wall and floor.

There is a railed garden to the front and patio to the side/rear with vehicular access and storage shed. Though one of the busiest thoroughfares in Rathmines, Mount Pleasant Avenue residents, thanks to disc-parking, are spared the nightmare of clamping and fines.

The house goes to auction on November 7th through Gunne, which is quoting £400,000.