Nicely settled into a quiet Kilmainham cul-de-sac, built in the early years of the 20th century, 7 Madison Road has a lot that will appeal to first-time buyers and downsizers. The asking price, €590,000 through agent Owen Reilly, is pretty appealing too.
Number 8 Madison Road sold for €650,000 in February last.
The vendor, who has owned 7 Madison Road for almost a quarter-century, has extended and modernised where necessary but been careful to keep the uncluttered, core Edwardian style intact. Now it covers a decent 116sq m (1,249sq ft) and is replete with original features,
The honeyed hue of stripped and polished wood (floors, door and window surrounds), original fireplaces in every room but one (the sittingroom has a period-style timber surround), high ceilings, cornicing, a dado rail along the stairs and, in a nice touch, stained glass in both the front and the return doors which traps and colours sunlight as it falls between them.
The rear kitchen/breakfastroom has two walls of timber-framed, floor to ceiling windows overlooking a sheltered, sandstone-paved patio. Put in place in 2001, this is high walled and nicely planted with bamboo, an Old Dublin Bay climbing rose and passion fruit. It gives access to a laneway and Mayfield Road. The breakfast area, with a Travertine floor and feature metal-support girder, is divided by a counter from an extremely well-fitted kitchen. The under stair has a guest WC.
Interconnecting reception rooms, where the Edwardian feel is strongest, have a double door between them and tall French windows to the patio. The diningroom’s dark marble fireplace has inset red tiles, the floors in both are of polished timber and a front bay window allows in plenty of light. The hallway too is original in character with a small ceiling rose, corbels and picture rail.
A small bedroom on the return has had a chunk taken out of it to create what is a good bathroom with separate shower and free-standing bath. The top landing has a pleasant skylight and leads to the main, front-facing bedroom. This has a couple of Munster Joinery sash windows (installed 12 years ago) and a cast-iron fireplace with green inset tiles. The third, rear bedroom has another cast-iron fireplace and views over city roofs and gardens.
A floored attic has Stira access and there is a small, railed front garden.