Nearly everyone loves a restored redbrick in Dublin 6. With period dimensions and a modern makeover, they offer stylish living close to thecity. Two such homes - one in Rathmines, the other in Ranelagh - have come on the market.

Rathmines: €1.1 million

Cambridge Road in Rathmines is a typical Dublin 6 road with a mixture of Victorian redbricks lining the short cul-de-sac. Number 25, a semi-detached, is set for auction through Sherry Fitzgerald on February 18th with a strong guide price of €1.1 million.

The four-bedroom house is in walk-in condition having been completely renovated by its present owners who bought it six years ago. It was built in 1868 and when it last changed hands, it required major work, particularly to the back of the house and this is where it is different from its neighbours. There is one formal livingroom. It's to the front and is a fine square-shaped room with high ceilings, good cornice work and a black marble fireplace. A second door - glazed and modern in design - off the hall leads down into the most used area of the house; a kitchen cum living/dining area which has been stylishly and usefully extended. The living area is room-sized with a fireplace and space for a sofa and chairs. The dining table is in a mostly-glazed part of the room with two sets of double doors opening out to the garden. The kitchen area is fitted with white units, built-in stainless steel appliances and topped with granite worktops. There is no utility room, off-putting for families in this price range, but there is potential to convert the small toilet off the kitchen. There are two rooms on the first floor return, one a good-sized double bedroom, the other the family bathroom. In the bathroom, part of the hall has been cleverly annexed to make room for a walk-in shower.

Up a few steps is the large main bedroom which is to the front and runs the width of the house. It's a very pleasant room with period details, a high ceiling, a large en suite and a walk-in, smartly-shelved wardrobe. On upstairs again are two more bedrooms, one a double, the other a small single. Both have cast-iron fireplaces and both are decorated for maximum cuteness as children's rooms. Overall the house has 186 sq m (2,000 sq ft).

The front patio-sized garden is railed. At the back there is rear pedestrian access, and the 30 ft back garden was landscaped last year. - Bernice Harrison

Ranelagh: €770,000

Upper Beechwood Avenue is a quiet Ranelagh road where most houses have been restored by well-heeled residents. New to the market and in beautiful condition, number 41 will suit many buyers, from a young family to someone trading down. Gunne is guiding €770,000 prior to auction on February 19th. The 175 sq m (1,884 sq ft) redbrick has three double bedrooms, a huge designer kitchen/family area and a walled back garden.

Extended and restored by the owners since they moved here four years ago, the cream and white interior is a perfect backdrop for the fine Victorian plasterwork and period fireplaces. The house has been decorated in Farrow & Ball colours of matchstick and old white. Dark leather, cream carpets, rich silk curtains and touches of bronze and gold create an opulent look. Everything has been done, from new Ventrolla sash windows to the hand-painted kitchen units and marble-floored bathrooms - the new owner will just have to move in and unpack.

The navy front door opens to a wide hallway with decorative ceiling plasterwork and timber panelling to dado height which continues up the staircase. To the right is the sittingroom, where magnificent cornicing is white against cream walls and floor. Custom-built bookshelves and cupboards are fitted in alcoves either side of the black period fireplace. This room is a mirror image of the connecting formal diningroom.

Down a few steps at the end of the hall is an understairs toilet and a beech-floored kitchen/family room looking out on the back garden. Cream-panelled units with granite countertops and a Belfast sink have a country kitchen look and the five-burner steel stove adds a contemporary touch. Beyond this is a family sitting area with space for a couple of sofas. Velux roof lights and French doors to the garden provide lots of natural light.On the first floor return is a double bedroom with wardrobes and spot lighting. The family bathroom has bronze marble floor tiling and vanity top. The main bedroom takes up the entire first floor front, with original coving, two sash windows and a walk-in wardrobe. The en suite shower room has a bronze marble floor and vanity unit.

Another double bedroom on this floor is decorated in cream and pink. A side passage leads round to the back from the railed front garden. The back garden (9.1 m x 7 m - 98 ft x 75 ft) is not huge, but its manageable size will appeal to many. - Kate McMorrow