Like the look of this week's houses? Kate McMorrowshows how its done.
The range in the open-plan kitchen/diningroom at 1 Crofton Avenuelooks as if it has been there for ever.
In fact, it was installed just a few years ago when the owners discovered a boarded up chimney when restoring the 1830s house.
A surveyor suggested that such a tall narrow house would benefit from a source of heating at basement level and heat now travels via the steel-lined chimney flu from the simmering, always-lit range to the upper rooms.
They found the Anselmo Cola range at Fenton's in Greystones. Made in Italy, in the Dolomite region, the stoves and ranges are made to suit Alpine winters and are very efficient at heating open-plan spaces and tall-ceilinged rooms.
The range is black, with brass fittings, and is kept going continuously, fed twice a day with smokeless coal. An ash can in the bottom is easily emptied and the flue is cleaned once a year. The owners decided not to link their range with the hot water system.
When entertaining large numbers, they use their Brittania professional hob and de Deitrich electric oven for the main work, using the range for heating plates and keeping food warm. Other times, they can leave a Coq au V8in or Boeuf Bourguignon simmering all day and come back to a warm kitchen and dinner cooked to perfection.
You'd have to buy Moytura Houseto acquire the exquisite entrance hall. But anyone could copy the look by replacing their boring old plate glass with something more adventurous.
Marvin Architecturals of Dunlavin will measure up, design and fit narrow-frame casement and sash windows and fanlights to order in solid mahogany, pine or oak.
Clients can choose a colour from their tough-wearing professional paint range. The old windows will be removed and new ones replaced on the same day and the company will make good any wallpaper damage with architraves.
The windows can be in traditional single glazing or in low-E glazing which retains the slim look of Georgian windows. Marvin is opening a showroom next month at 71-72 Grove Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6.
Ever wondered how to copy the type of padded headboard that is in the showhouse at Durkan Residential's smart Browns Barn Wooddevelopment ?
Designer Michelle Byrne of Axiom, Sandyford, has her buttoned styles made by Roberts Furniture in Ashbourne.
Colette Ward of Absolute Designs also makes padded headboards to match curtains and cushions.
This way of dressing a bed is particularly good for rental properties, as divan beds can be replaced without the expense of buying a headboard to fit.
Anyone could make this type of headboard with a bit of DIY knowledge and it's very cost-effective, says Byrne.
A piece of MDF (medium density fibreboard) is covered with foam - bought at an upholstery shop - then covered with fabric and fixed to battens on the wall.
Its essential to use good quality upholstery fabric, to avoid puckering.
Axiom uses Alcantara or a type of faux suede called Lushy, which can be found in good fabric shops such as Brian S Nolan or Benedicts.
Plain colours look well, but will need to be sprayed with a sealant to make it more resilient to staining.
The cost is all about the fabric used. Expect to pay anything from €30 to €200 euro a metre for good upholstery material. MDF can be cut to size at most DIY stores.
The Raglan Hallapartment was staged for viewing by designer Niamh de Barra, who was commissioned to furnish it in keeping with the gracious period features.
From her warehouse in Kilcoole, Co Wicklow, de Barra produced the antique chaise, sofa and ottoman, upholstered in rose and gold brocade.
The gilt mirror is one of a pair bought in an auction some time ago and the two oak side tables are from the Belgian Eicholtz range much favoured by designers. These are topped with Monaco table lamps, also from Eicholtz.
People can browse around the warehouse in Kilcoole Industrial Estate and it's possible to buy many of the items on display
Staging the two-bedroom apartment at Raglan Hall cost the owner around €7,000 for the entire apartment. This included all the furniture, accessories (such as lamps and mirrors), bed-linen, a professional clean and fresh flowers.
