Sandymount: €2.7m  A pair of large southside homes in Sandymount and Blackrock are on the market having greatly benefitted from superb extensions and renovation work.

It looks like a typical 1930s house from the outside but, inside, 16 Wilfield Park in Sandymount has been completely transformed with a high-spec renovation that turned it into a five-bedroom, bright house with an exceptionally smart kitchen and a well-thought out contemporary feel.

The detached house, in a quiet cul-de-sac, is for auction through Sherry FitzGerald on May 12th with a guide of €2.7 million. It's 10 years since the house last changed hands and the complete renovation also involved extending so it now has 297sq m (3,200sq ft) of living space.

The first indication of the interior transformation comes in the hall. The original staircase has been replaced with a curved solid ash version that goes right up to the converted attic. Its design also incorporates a minstrel's gallery on the first floor landing so the entrance hall below is airy with its double height.

Another indication of the style of the makeover is that throughout the house, the doors have been replaced with contemporary designed ash doors and architraves. Off the hall to the right is a large livingroom and to the left, a good-sized study but the really impressive part of the ground floor is at the back of the house where a Norman Pratt glazed area runs the entire width. Back here is the eat-in kitchen and it opens through to a lovely family room.

The kitchen is one of those no expenses spared models. Custom-made by John Daly in French oak, it has polished granite worktops and enough units both top and bottom for even the most acquisitive family. There's also a large island unit, integrated appliances and a black, gas-fired Aga. There's underfloor heating beneath the limestone floor. Off the kitchen is a utility room, storage cupboard and guest toilet.

Upstairs there are five bedrooms, all doubles and the two larger ones have good en suites.

On up again the roof was raised to make space for a large attic room. It is currently used as a home office though it would also make a sixth bedroom or au pair accommodation as it has a toilet off it. The house is in the corner of a cul-de-sac and has off-street car-parking for a couple of cars. The enclosed back garden is around 14 metres long. - Bernice Harrison

Blackrock: €1.8m: A four-bedroom house with a two-bedroom mews to the rear at 117 Mount Merrion Avenue in Blackrock is set to make over €1.8 million at auction through Sherry FitzGerald on May 12th.

The double-fronted house ticks all the right boxes for families seeking a long term home in the area. With two fine reception rooms, a large eat-in kitchen opening onto the garden, and a separate family room, it has the right balance of formal and family living space totalling 223sq m (2,400sq ft).

The cut-stone mews is a valuable addition with 57sq m (610sq ft) and its own entrance from a laneway. It was built up in traditional style by the owners and, while they use it as a playroom, with a gym and home office upstairs, it's perfectly adaptable as guest or staff accommodation.

The main house was in very good order when the owners bought it around seven years ago. However, they wanted more space for their young family and so extended the kitchen at the back and built on a very good family bathroom and an extra bedroom upstairs.

They installed a very smart cream-painted, Christians-style kitchen, with a limestone-style floor and a central island unit topped in gleaming black granite. It's a big airy room with lots of space for a large dining table and chairs, with French doors leading to a sunny, west-facing patio that doubles as an outdoor dining space. The kitchen leads through to a good-sized utility room and on to the family room which also has French doors to the garden.

Upstairs an arched doorway on the first landing - originally a window - leads through to the family bathroom with its raised, Victorian-style bath, and walk-in shower. The first of the bedrooms is also at this level, while the remaining three lead off the spacious landing. The main bedroom with its toile de jouy theme, leads through to a big en suite.

The whole house is immaculately decorated in a French country style that is light and elegant. Off-street parking on this busy road completes the package. - Orna Mulcahy Property Editor