Terraced home in 200-year-old converted stables is up to date

An unusual terraced two-bedroom house, originally part of the 200-year-old stable block of St Helen's House, at Booterstown, Co Dublin, is to be auctioned by Gunne Residential on October 26th. It is expected to make £240,000-plus.

Stylishly converted in 1991 as part of the St Helen's development, 3 The Stables is accessed via Booterstown Avenue and is close to the Radisson St Helen's Hotel. The compact, well-designed house is in a cul-desac near the entrance to an 11-acre wood, to which residents have access.

Combining traditional features and materials from the original stables with modern design, the result is an attractive house full of character. The south-facing front exterior walls were built using the original cut-stone on the lower half, while old bricks rescued from the stables were used on the first floor, and this was topped with original slates, the old clock tower and a weather-vane.

The house is entered through a shared outer door. The high ceilings and white walls prevent the small hallway from seeming cramped and an imaginative use of space provides extra storage - a cupboard under the stairs houses the washing machine.

There are three rooms on the ground floor, two bedrooms and a bathroom, with window recesses which clearly show the thickness of the walls. Simply painted white, the main bedroom faces south and has fitted wardrobes. The second bedroom, also with fitted wardrobes, looks out on to a walled garden area to the rear. The highlight of the house is the livingroom/kitchen, which takes up the whole of the first floor. The space is dominated by a pale, wooden-panelled, Ashaped ceiling with 200-year-old timber beams - which creates an unusual airy room.

The fully-fitted kitchen with integrated units and a breakfast bar is at the top of the stairs. It has three Velux windows.

The focus of the living area is the cast-iron gas stove fireplace, sitting on Liscannor slate. To the front is a cobblelock parking area. At the rear, a private stone-paved patio provides an ideal area for entertaining.