Restoration with designer twist in Rathgar for €1.375 million

This lovely Victorian villa dating from 1860 has been home to visual arts educator Una Kelly and production manager John Kennedy for 21 years.

Now with an empty nest, they have placed their 200sq m (2,150sq ft) home on the market through estate agent Gunne, with an asking price of €1.375 million.

When the couple bought the house, they had to reinstate many of the period features and return the layout of the house to its original design.

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They used Marvin sash windows throughout which marry perfectly with the era of the property, while the ceiling rose in the front hallway had but one arm left and had to be recast.

In 1995, they used architect Stephen Byrne to add a modern extension which opens the property to the rear, in a light- filled kitchen-cum-dining room.

Amazing greys
Two years ago, with the help of interior designer Deirdre Danaher, the house was given a makeover. The new colour scheme in putty and warm greys, with velvet carpets interspersed with maple, gives an elegant modern twist to this fine period home.

Downstairs, the kitchen by Poggenpohl, despite being nearly 20 years old, seems new and Danaher used anthracite grey to update some of the presses, creating a Scandinavian feel. The absence of presses or appliances above waist height adds a cool streamlined effect echoed in the white wooden pitched roof above.

The room has four sets of Rationel sliding doors, each accessing a different part of the wraparound Victorian-style garden.

Adjacent to the kitchen is a small television room with solid fuel stove and a bedroom/ study, both with further access to the garden.

In fact, the garden is really the centre of this house and was designed by award-winning designer Ann Kennedy. There are five dining areas in the garden that follow the path of the sun, set on raised decks filled with camellia, olive and pear trees and bamboo.

Two further bedrooms and a bathroom complete downstairs.

14f

t-high ceilings
Upstairs via a narrow stairway are the master bedroom, family bathroom, study/bedroom and the elegant drawing room.

The drawing room stretches the entire width of the property and features a marble fireplace, 14ft-high ceilings and two elegant full height sash windows which bathe the room in light.

The master bedroom overlooking the side garden has high ceilings and features bespoke wardrobes and bed surround by Genevieve Murphy design – an eccentric twist in this conventional room.

Una and John are in search of a new project in need of attention. Number 5 Belleville is a beautiful period property and the fact that the current owners used professional designers throughout is evident in the meticulous attention to detail.

The property would make a lovely family home where new owners can hopefully dine each day in their landscaped garden following the path of the summer sun.