Jane makes space to dance in cosy home off Camden

Dancing queen Jane Shorthall tells Eoin Lyons how her home is influenced by her passion for her job

It's hard to believe that dancer Jane Shorthall's house wasn't created especially for her. Although she bought the corner house on a terrace off Camden Street after it had been fully renovated, its atmosphere perfectly mirrors her personality and would be a dream home for any young woman living in the city: located on a quiet lane near cool but non-chi chi shops, it has just the right amount of low maintenance space indoors and a sunny little balcony outdoors.

Astonishingly pretty and with a great sense of fun, Jane is one of the most established and respected names in contemporary dance in this country. Up to now, she has travelled to London a couple of days each week to further her studies; this summer, she's running a series of dance classes sponsored by VHI Healthcare.

"This house is in town so people call by all the time and yet, on this little laneway, it's a hideaway too," says Jane. "I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. I really love Camden Street because it's multicultural; you see different faces each day, yet at the same time it's an old Dublin neighbourhood.

"There are great contrasts on the street: alongside smart food shops like Liston's, you've got women selling fruit and vegetables on the pavement. Or near a designer furniture shop like Inreda, there is a junk shop. It reminds me of Williamsburg in Brooklyn where I lived for a while."

Across the road from Jane's house is the restaurant Havana, one of her favourite haunts: "I go there if I don't want to stay at home. But because it's so near, it's not quite 'going out' either." Because the house is so perfect, Jane believes it came to her in a particularly special way.

"I had put a deposit down on an apartment in Ringsend and was delighted with myself. But on the way home from seeing the site, I bumped into someone I hadn't seen in years who told me about this house. So I went to see it and had a really good feeling.

"On the first anniversary of my mother's death, the first thing I did was call the estate agent - not only was it still available but the price had dropped. So I went for it instead. My mother was really into me buying my own place and I think this would have made her happy. I think she guided me to this house, where I feel happy."

Beyond an entrance hall is the main living area, an open-plan living and kitchen space, some of which Jane has sectioned off as a dance practice area. In one corner is an old iron spiral staircase to a bedroom above and beneath this is a leather sofa bought at Habitat - a buy that was an not exactly an unqualified success: "It's just not big enough for two!" she laughs. "You get too close too soon." Leopard print cushions rest there: "They might be a bit naff but I don't care. They're fun and they weren't expensive.

"One of the main reasons I bought the house is that the living area reminded me of a nightclub - the curving wall of glass blocks, the little bar counter with space to dance in front!"

A small sculpture of a dancing woman was bought on a visit to South Africa. African dance is a particular interest of Jane's. "Hip hop is a huge influence for me and it has its roots in African music and dance. It's very rhythmical and this figure is doing a reggae dance - she reminds me I need to boogie to feel good."

A book about dance sits next to Goldie Hawn's autobiography on top of a 1960s' coffee table made in Paris and found at the old Renaissance shop on Camden Street (it has recently relocated to Capel Street). "It's one of my favourite pieces of furniture. I bought it after a trip to Barcelona." The dance book contains a series of beautiful photographs of dancers. The Goldie Hawn book has special resonance: not only because Jane looks very like the actress in her youth, but also because elements of Goldie's character are similar to Jane's. "I discovered reading this that she was just like me at school - giddy, and always wanting to dance." She got the chance to meet Goldie at a book signing a few weeks ago.

Jane's large bedroom is on the first floor and has an iron fireplace on one wall, double doors to the balcony on another and her bed against a third. The red John Rocha cushions piled on the bed were a housewarming gift from the designer's wife, Odette. Near the bed are open clothing rails, filled entirely with denims of various kinds: "I'm very fond of jeans and certainly have a lot of them!"

There are references to Jane's passion for dance all over the house. On one window sill is a 1930s light in the art deco style, another find from the Renaissance shop, with a graceful dancer holding a glass ball.

Jane, who has choreographed numerous music videos, is running Dance Blitz 2005, a series of VHI-sponsored workshops over four days from Thursday to Sunday, July 14th to 17th at The Factory on Barrow Street, Dublin 2. They culminate in a performance at The Sugar Club. Dance experts from abroad, including choreographer Tony Stone, will take part. See www.janeshorthall.com