Termon at 39B Barnhill Road in Dalkey is a prime example of what can be achieved by good design. The semi-detached property, dating from the 1920s, was purchased by the current owners in 2013 for €720,000. At the time, an extension added in the 1980s was located to the side. This was demolished, as was a garage, and a new part single-storey and part two-storey extension was added, which increased the floor space from its original 130sq m (1,399sq ft) to 205sq m (2,206sq ft).
This contemporary addition now wraps around the side and rear of the house, with a new principal bedroom with en suite upstairs.
Architect Paul McCleary of Extend in Dalkey, who designed the new structure, says the biggest challenge was that the “site was sloped – which required lots of iterations in model form to get the right design.
“We wanted an open space, but to also have a very clear definition between the kitchen and the living area.
“To do this, the steel posts have been hidden in the central fire upright [allowing the rooms to be open plan], and we put a step in the ceiling heights between the rooms. You don’t perceive this straight off, as it is a subtle change, but it helps to define the two spaces.”
The extension is quite remarkable as it marries so well with the original part of the house, allowing a seamless divide, partly because the decor is the same, with white walls and pared-back furnishings. The pale oak running through the house also gives a fresh feel, so much so that internally the old part of the property defies its age as a centenarian.
Selling point
One of the strong selling points of this property is its rear garden, which extends to 30m (98ft). Despite having a northwesterly aspect, it too has had a clever and well-thought-through plan. To the right of the house, a bed planted with ferns was raised to maximise the views through a picture window in the livingroom, while at the end of the garden a dining area – paved and with a water feature – was sunken to create a private area to catch the path of the evening sun.
The property has four bedrooms. As noted earlier, the principal is located upstairs in the extension. Set behind a wall of glass overlooking the garden, it is particularly impressive. It features a hidden dressing area behind the bed partition, allowing the room to be clutter free.
The owners of the property are trading up, and it must be to something really lovely because their current home is quite superb. 39B Barnhill Road is on the market through Sherry FitzGerald with an asking price of €1.545 million.
