Beauty writer’s makeover in Churchtown for €625,000

In August 2014 former model turned beauty writer Ruth Griffin bought 11 Braemor Drive, a mid-terrace property in a quiet cul-de-sac off Braemor Road, paying €385,500 for the three-bedroom house.

It was in need of modernisation, so she extended and upgraded it, installing new electrics and plumbing, and she recruited her father, retired architect Paul Griffin, to help her reimagine it.

“He chalked out each space so I could literally see how big it would be,” she explains. Griffin put her kitchen where the sittingroom originally stood because she felt if she put it to the rear of the house she would only live in that part. Now it overlooks the good-sized front garden and its location means she can keep an eye on her kids playing to the front or rear.

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The livingroom at 11 Braemor Drive, Churchtown, Dublin 14

Attic room

Just three years after completing the extensive renovation she has decided to sell. The property, which now measures 121sq m (1,032sq ft), includes an attic room and is asking €625,000 through agent Beirne &Wise. This represents an increase in value of just over 40 per cent in that period.

Griffin sourced many decor ideas on online app Pinterest, and then tracked down less-expensive options locally, such as the Cash & Carry white gloss units in the kitchen. She also bought some pieces from Phoenix Interior Design.

The ground floor is now entirely open-plan with no walls dividing the kitchen, dining area and lounge. The dining area is lit from above by roof lights, and dark wenge flooring knits the dining and kitchen areas together. The livingroom area is marked by pale carpet with a large L-shaped sofa facing an insert fire.

Upstairs there is a shower room and three bedrooms, all of which are doubles.