A bright yellow exterior distinguishes this four-bedroom house at 9 Seafield Close in Blackrock from its neighbours, but the semi-detached building has more surprises inside. The owners have transformed an unprepossessing 1940s house into an airy modern home. It will appeal to thirty-somethings with a taste for minimalist chic and close on £500,000 to spend.
Sherry FitzGerald is guiding £475,000 prior to auction on March 30th. Set in a quiet street off the old Stillorgan Rd, it is in walk-in condition - ready for new owners to stamp it with their own personality.
The yellow theme continues in the hall, into which light pours from two Velux windows. Opening off this, the living and dining-rooms have been refashioned and extended to flow around the back of the house into a new conservatory/breakfast area and efficient kitchen.
Hardwood floors throughout and muted tones of white and grey give the rooms a cool, clean atmosphere. The ceilings have been corniced and sturdy sandstone replaces the traditional tiled-fire surround in the living-room. These rooms overlook a modest garden with a slate deck and patio.
The surprises, however, lie underground. In the course of renovation a builder discovered a basement when he dropped a spanner through a trapdoor in the hall. The owner found four rooms: apparently the original half-basement had been expanded, but the extra space was never used.
Now it has a bar with a wine rack set into the chimney-breast and a counter whose foot-rail comes from a pub in Rathmines; a big cloak closet; good utility/storage room and guest lavatory.
The garage has been converted to a two-storey extension, creating a TV room with a box bay window on the ground floor and main bedroom above.
The en suite bathroom here includes a bath and shower. Attractive tiling and designer towel rails are features of this and the bathroom shared by the two other bedrooms.
The third box/bedroom is used as a study. Floors here are of stripped wood and each bedroom has built-in wardrobes. The entire house has been wired with a sound system.
