Dublin 6: Redbricks in Dublin 6 are always in hot demand - especially when they've been given a thoroughly modern makeover. Property Editor Orna Mulcahy looks at one ideal for parties on Moyne Road, and a hidden gem on Mountain View Road
Moyne Road/€1.7m: Number 4 Moyne Road is the quintessential Ranelagh redbrick: modest on the outside, but a revelation inside with traditional interconnecting reception rooms giving way to the obligatory gleaming new kitchen extension. The three-bedroom terraced house has an advised minimum value (AMV) of €1.7 million prior to auction through Sherry FitzGerald on March 1st.
The location couldn't be better, with a Luas stop around the corner, and Ranelagh's beloved Morton's supermarket just doors away on Dunville Avenue. Ranelagh's main street and multi-denominational school are all within walking distance, as is the city centre.
The owners of this particular redbrick have more flair than most and the 158sq m (1,705 sq ft) interior is charming and sexy and ideal for parties. The two reception rooms - both big square rooms - have gorgeous plasterwork cornices and floorboards stained mahogany.
Artificial rose lights twinkle in the diningroom fireplace while the mantelpiece is decorated with extra tall tapering candles.
From the diningroom, steps lead down to the eat-in kitchen which has a limestone-effect floor warmed by underfloor heating and a well-thought out series of kitchen units that include a big island unit and tall cupboards for storing essentials like mops, brushes and ironing boards. A kitchen designed for cooks, it has extra deep work surfaces and plenty of easy-to-reach shelves.
Back towards the hallway, the downstairs toilet is decorated in hot pink with cutouts from Vogue plastered onto the wall.
French doors lead from the kitchen to the 50ft west-facing garden which includes a large patio area complete with awning. There is rear pedestrian access to a laneway.
Upstairs, a bedroom on the return was sacrificed to create a big bathroom, with a walk-in hot press next door. The third bedroom is also on the return and is small, but perfect as a baby's room.
The first floor has the main bedroom running the full width of the house with candy pink walls enlivened by a gold trimmed cornicing. Next door, the second bedroom is another good double with its own fireplace. Both bedrooms have original cast-iron fireplaces.
There is a good-sized railed front garden, but parking is on the street.
Mountain View Road/€1.45 million: A flourishing strawberry tree in the front garden of 31 Mountain View Road, Ranelagh, gives this pretty house a private, hidden-away feel, though it also prevents the possibility of off-street car-parking on this fairly busy road.
The semi-detached house will appeal to buyers who want a well-thought out interior with a couple of clever extensions bringing the floor area to 161sq m (1,730sq ft).
Still, it's proving a little too small for the owners' three young children, hence the sale. Number 31 has an advised minimum value (AMV) of €1.45 million prior to auction through Sherry FitzGerald on March 1st.
It's a very well-cared for home with elegant interconnecting rooms and the bonus of a study built on the site of a garage at the side of the house. The kitchen is another excellent extension with picture windows and a huge skylight making it extremely bright even on a dull day. There's underfloor heating beneath the pale terracotta floor and the kitchen units are country-style.
Next door is a great little utility room with good storage all around. Upstairs the main bedroom has a fabulous en suite bathroom, built over the study below.
It has a big double-ended bath with a marble surround and there's also a walk-in double shower.
The two remaining bedrooms share a shower room leading off the wide landing which has access to the floored attic above.
There's a lovely walled back garden and a nice outlook to the rear over the gardens of houses on Merton.
