Elegant home with elaborate detail

Donnybrook/€2.7 millionRose Doyle visits a period home whose fine proportions are filled with light and delicate plasterwork

Number 61 Eglinton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 has all the elegance, and more since it is likely that the elaborate plasterwork over the principle doors originated in an even older house, of its mid-Victorian period.

Built in 1880, with five bedrooms, three reception rooms and a large conservatory, it is for sale through Sherry FitzGerald who are quoting a guide price of €2.7 million in advance of its auction on March 31st.

The conservatory, to the rear of the main, interconnecting reception rooms, adds considerably to the light and space of the 297 sq m (3,200 sq ft) floor space.

Made by North West Joinery, its Italian ceramic tiles are heated from underneath - as are those in the adjoining kitchen/breakfastroom.

The living and dining rooms are filled with light from a deep bay window to the front and, to the rear, French doors to the conservatory. Both rooms have white, marble fireplaces with decorative leafy inlay, as well as picture rails and cornice work.

The earlier plasterwork over the doors makes for a lush addition to these rooms. A study to the front of the house has original floorboards and wide, curved window.

The compact, working kitchen area has limed wall and floor units and worktops of polished granite. An alcove which would have held a range now holds a cooker and a window overlooks the garden. The breakfastroom has a pair of Velux windows and door to a small yard which opens to the rear garden. There is a utility room, storage and hobby/storage room.

A triple arch at its foot adds to the appeal of the winding staircase which has a mini-gallery on the first floor landing. A first floor return has a bedroom with wash-hand basin and, a couple of steps lower, en suite bathroom with hot press, wash-hand basin, toilet and bath. There are three bedrooms, including the main one, off the first floor landing proper, as well as a bathroom and shower room.

A marble fireplace in the main bedroom has decorative, inset tile work with roseate coloured wardrobes built to either side and a front bay window. The family bathroom has a bath, shower, wash-hand basin and heated towel rail.

A second bedroom has a polished timber floor and wash-hand basin while the third has a rear window and picture rail. The shower room has wash-hand basin, bidet, toilet and storage cupboard.

The sixth bedroom, now in use as a study, is eerie-like on the second return and has a window overlooking the city. There is a separate toilet with wash-hand basin on this landing.

The 100 ft long rear garden has mature trees and plants and leads to a private laneway and garage. In the front garden there are plants and shrubs and granite steps leading to the main entrance.