€3.25m villa has views and mews

This seaside villa in Monkstown sits on almost half an acre of garden with great sea views and a separate mews house, writes ALANNA GALLAGHER

THE REDBRICK, Victorian two-storey over basement has for years been the trophy home with the most cachet. But think of all those stairs.

Santa Maria is a house that offers a more horizontal proposition. This Regency villa-style house is laid out over two floors.

Blink and you’d miss the entrance to this detached house on Seapoint Avenue, facing the sea in Monkstown. Set well back from the road, it is hidden by a pair of electronic metal gates and high walls. Mature trees add an extra curtain of seclusion.

The four-bedroom house is for sale through Sherry FitzGerald at €3.25 million, making it one of hte most expensive homes to come on the market in Dublin this year.

Set on 0.44 of an acre with a one-bedroom mews and a small summer house that has been used as a snooker room, the four-bedroom house has all the right ingredients: sea views, beautiful proportions, original features, and ample off-street parking. The present owners have spent 20 years gradually doing the place up. Like the slow-food movement this is slow decorating – more stealth wealth than bling.

Inside there is 331sq m (3,563sq ft) of floor space. Granite steps lead to an elegantly proportioned hall. At entrance level there are three superb reception rooms, all dual aspect. The first, a sittingroom to the right of the front door, has a marble period fireplace, chalky cornflower blue walls and a bay window to the side with views from the front across Dublin Bay to Howth. Built-in bookcases add to the sense of comfort.

The biscuit-coloured drawingroom is L-shaped and beautifully balanced, offering corners for all members of the family to claim. The room has a white Regency fireplace and windows on four of its six sides. An L-shaped window seat echoes the shape of the room and is the place to perch and drink in the widescreen sea views.

To the rear is an eau-de-nil (pale yellow/green) coloured diningroom, with wonderful ceiling cornice work, a large and ornate fireplace, another deep bay window with double doors that lead down wrought iron steps to the back garden. It even has a dumb waiter, a godsend when entertaining. The owners make ample use of their picture rails with artwork hanging on every wall.

Across the garden, behind a hedge, is a two-storey, one-bedroom mews with pedestrian access onto Brighton Avenue. There is also a summer house that has been used as a snooker room.

The main bedroom is at entrance level. It is another superbly proportioned room that includes an en suite bathroom with a mahogany freestanding sink with marble top. This room also has a bay window giving secluded sea views from the freestanding claw-foot bath. Looking out to sea on a stormy day is the best, says the owner. A rain shower sits over the bath.

Downstairs, the floor is tiled in French limestone. The kitchen has the holy trinity of period kitchen must-haves: a Belfast sink, an Aga and ample storage. There are granite countertops and art deco cabinets with original bone handles and glass panels. These curve organically into the space and hold a multitude, dispensing with the need for overhead cabinets.

There are three more bedrooms at garden level, one en suite, and a large family bathroom.