You will probably have to get planning permission if you plan to install windows to the front of your house. Building regulations state that there must be at least 2.4m over half the floor area for a conversion to be classified as habitable - ie, a bedroom or livingroom. Rooms with lower roofs can make playrooms or home offices. Ensure your building contractor retains their own architects and engineers and as a minimum, make sure to get a certificate of compliance.
A small job involving a single bedroom and an easy-to-convert roof can cost around €15,000; major projects which can add 74sq m (800sq ft) of living space can cost around €200,000.
Classic Spiralstairs on Upper Sheriff Street (087 2237019) will install a spiral staircase for your attic. Prices start at €1,000 for stairs made from a mild steel structure with PVC handrails and teak step.To get something similar to number 12 expect to pay around €2,500 for a stairs with the more expensive stainless steel handrail and oak step. A lick of silver paint over the main steel structure will complete the look.
• The muted blue and bronze colours in the bedroom in 44 Raglan Lane mews (see page 2) provide a warm tone.
The bedroom, like all other rooms in the house, was designed by Merrion Square Interiors (01 6765040). The curtains are made from an unlined silk fabric with a crinkled bark effect. They are slate blue on one side and bronze on the other.
The Art Deco style ornate leaf pattern material used in the headboard and matching pillows was imported from Venice. A similar headboard from Merrion Square Interiors costs around 1,755.
The throw is made from washed brown velvet and the bolsters in blue French velvet with a horizontal crease.
To complete the look get the bronze stick lamps with brown suede shade with gold lining, p rice 587
• If you like the look of the smart stripy chair in Hanover Quay get to Martin Design in Terenure (086 2528166). The funky stripy fabric is from Brian Yeats and is called Monaco. The soft moss green, pastel pink and yellow stripes against sand fabric add lovely warm tones to the room. It costs 105 per meter and around seven meters were used on this armchair with French oak legs. To buy the lot from Martin Design expect to pay around €1,100.
To complete the look try Hicken Lighting in Dublin 8 (01 6777882) which stocks lamps similar to this wooden lamp with ridge detail. Prices are from 70.
• The stylish kitchen in Royal Canal Park in Dublin 15 (see page 10) was custom-made by London's Carter Tyberghein design company (0044 208 871 4800). Centre of stage in this kitchen is the striking mirror splashback. Made from standard 6 mm mirror, the spLashback is set back from the hob and a few inches off the worktop to ensure no heat damage or cracking. Myra Glass in D8 (01 4533321) will supply 6 mm mirror for 59.50 per sq m. American walnut laminate and gloss white laminate is used to great effect in the kitchen unit doors.
