Charming mix of old and new

Dublin 2 €1.2m:A three-bedroom terraced house, combining immaculate taste with city centre living, is for auction on March 15th through Douglas Newman Good with an AMV of €1.2 million.

Number 16 Albert Place East is at the far end of a short cul-de-sac of charming 19th century houses off Grand Canal Street, Dublin 2.

Measuring 125sq m (1,350sq ft), the house has been completely renovated over two years by the owners who are moving to the country.

A tiny railed garden in front, with a tiled path, leads to a cheerful red front door.

Inside the owners were faced with the dilemma of keeping the small reception rooms in their original layout but decided instead to build a square porch and throw open the rest of the space into one large reception room with two fireplaces.

The front part is for dining while the middle section accommodates two big sofas around the second fireplace, and a small study area, lit from above, fills the remaining space at the back.

The room is attractively done up in soft cream with many old gilded mirrors, a polished wooden floor and carefully chosen antique pieces.

The gorgeous kitchen carries on this theme in a long solidly built extension with creamy marble paved floor, an island unit with most of the workings at the near end and a breakfast area with French doors to the back garden and a pretty cream stove in the corner.

Integrated units fill one wall, painted cream with solid wooden worktops, and light is diffused from overhead Velux windows.

Upstairs on the return is a pretty double guest bedroom in smoky blue with a window seat and next door is a contemporary bathroom tiled in taupe while wall mirrors enlarge the space.

Upstairs are a further two bedrooms, one small and currently in use as the baby's room, while the main bedroom stretches across the front of the house with two long windows and an original fireplace fitted for gas.

Off this is an en suite shower room with two round marble wash basins, a large shower and heated towel rails.

Outside is a square back garden with that most wonderful accessory to city living - a large garage which opens onto Grattan Place.