Michael Collins and his wife Yvette bought 30 Killeen Road in Ranelagh a decade ago. “It wasn’t in great shape,” says Collins. “There was next to nothing left of the interior with the exception of the floors. We had all the walls rebuilt and engaged Manfredi Anello of Anello Architects to help redesign the interiors.”
The result is impressive. From the exterior, the Fired Earth encaustic tiles covering the path hint at the attention to detail that prevails inside. The tiles, in pale sage and oxide violet, continue right through the front hall and into the downstairs bathroom.
The entire house is painted in a simple palette of suede greys with green undertones, giving a cool calm air throughout. The interiors have been given a modern twist that compliments the period details rather than creating a screaming contrast.
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Solid wide-plank oak runs the length of the drawing room right into the dining-cum-kitchen area and meets a wall of oak-framed concertina doors which fold right back, creating a seamless divide between inside and the garden.
The kitchen, in solid oak was “handpicked”, says Collins. “We just didn’t want a showroom kitchen”. A large island in the centre has a Silestone countertop perfectly matching the hues in the house. A double Aga is the focal point and was installed at a cost of €10,000.
The couple dug into the ground to install a utility which is cleverly set down four steps behind a streamlined oak panel, keeping detergents, brushes and laundry completely out of sight.
Upstairs, off the kitchen is a small cube-shaped office, and what a space for inspiration – the walls are completely glass and overlook the low maintenance rear garden.
Converted attic
Upstairs via the main staircase are three fine bedrooms, the master of which has another glass wall overlooking neighbouring chimney pots and treetops, and lots of storage for new owners with a predisposition for large stashes of clothing.
The attic has been converted, and though accessed by a Stira, there is ample space to install a spiral staircase for permanent access. The room could be used as a playroom or guest loft.
As Collins’s business travelmedia.ie, a public relations and marketing firm, takes him around the globe, he is currently based in Paris with his Irish wife Yvette, a writer and linguist, and their three children. Number four will arrive sometime in June.
“It’s sad to see it go,” says Collins of the property, “but we have outgrown it as our family is getting bigger and we are now mostly Paris based.”
They have placed their unique 130sq m (1,399sq ft) home on the market with estate agent Lisney with an asking price of €850,000.
