Thomas Stringer, were he to revisit, would be pleased with the house he built at 63 Rathfarnham Road. Stringer was one of Dublin's more successful Edwardian builders and number 63 remains a classic among the houses he built for the southside's expanding middle classes during the early decades of the 20th century.
Much cared for and affectionately lived in since it was built in 1929, number 63 is distinguished by Stringer’s signature redbrick and pebbledash exterior, bay windows, timber floors, fireplaces and the decorative touches he favoured. The vendors’ family home for 52 years, they are downsizing now that the family is reared.
The Stringer style is apparent in the hallway where a dappling light through the stained glass of the front door shows up the high ceiling and where original wall panelling ends in a plate rail.
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Features elsewhere are equally impressive and sure to be part of a modernising makeover by a new owner.
Agent DNG is asking €1.15 million for what is a good sized house with 196sq m (2,110sq ft) floor area, five bedrooms, two reception rooms, kitchen/breakfastroom and bathroom. The southwest facing rear garden is 115ft long and as lush and varied as any Edwardian garden in its hey day with Japanese maples, willow and beech trees, a long curving lawn and planted beds.
Houses like this, and the area, are very popular. A similar house in nearby Rathdown Park sold recently for €1.12 million.
A new owner could live in number 63 as is, but will probably choose to modernise. They will have a clean palette to work with: apart from the garage being converted to a bedroom, number 63 is much as it was when built. Fireplaces in the adjoining drawing and diningrooms have high, hardwood surrounds, picture rails and cornicing. Original doors have brass knobs, the front drawingroom is made elegant by the wide bay window and the rear diningroom is given life by garden views through a patio window. The kitchen/ breakfastroom at the rear has charm but would benefit from modernising. It has high ceilings, quarry-tiled floors and a clothes pulley.
Three of the bedrooms are to the front, the main with bay window, and two to the rear.
There is parking to the front, as well as an evergreen tree, willow and lawn.
