INTERIORS:A former corner shop has been transformed by Tom de Paor into a stylish living space, writes Eoin Lyons
ARCHITECT Tom de Paor has, on more than one occasion, been called an "modernist", a label that conjures up visions of some kind of proponent of the less-is-more school. In fact, he is more of a romantic modernist. He produces rigorously modulated spaces that are exact in their details and subtle in texture. In a nutshell, he makes buildings that are cool but not cold.
One impressive example is the house bought by Fiona Horan last year. Previously owned by de Paor and his family, it is inconspicuous from the exterior. It presents a plain, grey facade to the North Circular Road. It was a corner shop in a previous life. A large square window remains at ground level, now glazed with frosted glass.
"When people walk in here for the first time, they say they'd never have guessed what's behind the front door," says Horan. Entering the house is like entering a cave. It throws the visitor a bit off kilter when the first sight is a staircase descending into an excavated basement.
There is nothing traditional about the house's layout: perhaps because of the limited amount of space.
There is one room per level, each reached by varying numbers of steps or small staircases. "It's one of the things that makes the house interesting to live in," says Horan, "although it is small, there is a great sense of movement, which somehow makes it seem larger."
Horan had a strong preference about the way she wished to live. She is a leadership coach for business people, and her company, Human Edge, has many clients in the IFSC.
"I knew I needed to be near that area, and close to the airport for international work. I also wanted something with a bit of history, yet with a contemporary feel."
She started her search for a new home at the height of the property market, and after looking at "around 100" apartments, found this house through her friend Paul Berry of Adonis Flowers, who introduced her to Tom de Paor.
"I saw the house and fell in love with it. It's old, but obviously very modern now, and I knew it would be easy to manage. I love the location and I can be at the airport departure gates in 15 minutes."
She also saw there was scope for her to put her own stamp on it. While respecting the architect's work, she made some small adjustments, such as opening up a wall and adding more lighting.
The garden needed a bit of work and is now a proper outdoor "room" with space for a small table and chairs.
Entrance
The front door opens directly into what was originally the shop floor. "Apparently, Brendan Behan used to buy his cigarettes here," says Horan. She uses this room for watching television, but it is also a pass-through space to another part of the house - bookcase steps lead to the bathroom and bedrooms beyond.
When Tom de Paor lived in the house, the wall dividing this room from the staircase to the garden level was solid, but Horan decided to open two large sections to create a visual link from one space to the other.
Livingroom and kitchen
An open staircase leads to the garden level, where the main living space is. At one end is a sitting area, in the middle there is a dining table, and the kitchen is at the end of the room. Despite being below ground-level, the room is bright, due to tall glass doors that open to a small garden at the rear.
The floor here is of Carrera marble, a classic material that is back in fashion.
Horan bought the long green sofa from Living, in Bray. "It was the first piece of furniture I bought for the house. I love the colour." The fireplace wall is lined with discreet white storage units. "It's very important to be able to hide everything away in a small house."
It's large enough, however, to host many dinner parties. "It's a really easy place to entertain," says Horan.
The compact kitchen is a perfect size for the owner's busy lifestyle. It is distinguished as a separate space by the dark wood that covers the countertop, cupboards and the wall behind.
The bathroom
The bathroom is divided in two sections. Both parts are accessed from a dark, wood-lined staircase that continues to the first floor. In one area there is a sunken bath and sink and in the other there's another sink and a toilet.
"The bathroom is a wow space," says Horan. "But it works on a practical level, too."
The bedroom
The dark staircase, lit by sensor fittings on each step, leads to Horan's bedroom. "It's a more feminine room than the rest of the house - purples are good for a bedroom - and really has the character of the original house."
Guest bedroom
At the rear of the house, on a higher level than the main bedroom, is the guest bedroom. "People are always coming and going - which must be a good sign."