Dublin 6: €2.85M: WINDSOR ROAD is a wonderfully quiet road perpendicular to its salubrious sister, Palmerston Road. Number 20, a semi-detached house, competes on finish, size and offers better value for money than the houses on D6's alpha address, writes Alanna Gallagher
Renovated and extended like many of its Victorian neighbours, the house has approximately 265sq m (2,850sq ft) of living space in immaculate order. It's for sale through Savills HOK at €2.85 million.
Architect and interior designer Paul Klug, a South African, oversaw the job. His attention to detail is visible throughout.
The property pays homage to its Victorian roots with a Farrow Ball paintscape throughout. Granite steps lead to a roomy hall and original formal front room. More steps lead down to the back of the house. This is where the property was extended both out into the garden and to the side adding girth to the rear rooms. There's a cosy family room with an elaborate and rare Victorian Coalbrookdale cast-iron fireplace and glazed double doors that lead into the kitchen.
Klug has added a very smart space-saving device to the traditional floor plan. By digging into the dead space beneath the hall level, he has unearthed a very secluded and roomy utility room. This is accessed via a small staircase. The guest toilet also has an enormous underfloor storage area for perennials like Christmas decorations, children's toys, buggies and suitcases.
The kitchen is wonderfully bright yet understated. The solid wood kitchen was built by the Victorian Salvage Company. The L-shaped island has a deep marble countertop and double sinks.
The kitchen adjoins the dining area which is orangerie in style. Three sets of bi-folding doors open onto the south-facing back garden.
The orangerie was build-to-order by David Salisbury, a UK-based specialist in such summer houses. It was made with adigbo, a rare west African hardwood that warping has good anti-warping properties.
The glass in the rooflights is heat-resistant to prevent the space overheating in summer.
A French chateau-style travertine marble fireplace adds further grandeur.
A wetroom family bathroom with free-standing, roll-top bath is on the first floor return. The main bedroom is also on this level and encompasses a large bedroom, a shower en suite and a nursery or sittingroom.
Presently, the first floor is used as a piano nobile and feels wonderfully grand and grown-up. This room has also been plumbed for an en suite should the next owner prefer to return the room to a bedroom. At first floor level there are two roomy bedrooms, one with an en suite and roof garden with planting. All the bedrooms have shuttering and bespoke joinery.
Behind the house is a good-sized south-facing back garden. The perfectly symmetrical space comes with its own apple tree boxed in by low shrubbery. There are raised plant boxes around the garden perimeter, all filled with tropical plants including ferns and bamboo. There is also pedestrian rear access in the lane.
This is a house that is in walk-in condition. Number 20 punches above its weight, competing with Palmerston properties in terms of scale and finish, and offering a genuine alternative in these prudent times.
20 Windsor Road, Dublin 6
Victorian redbrick house that has been renovated and extended with great style also has a decent south-facing back garden
Agent: Savills HOK
