Granville Park is one of those areas in Blackrock that boast really big back gardens. On the face of it number 13 looks like a fine, well-appointed suburban home, but it is only once across the threshold that the full package on offer is revealed. A well-maintained, 175ft, south-west facing back garden slopes gently upwards to a Shomera, discretely hidden behind autumnal trees.
The children, now grown, spent a lot of time there. Indeed one friend even moved in temporarily, such was its appeal.
The house itself has been added to in stages so that the rooms now all interconnect, creating a great sense of flow, yet each room has doors to open and close off the spaces as you see fit.
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The original kitchen is now a study with a gas fire. Doors lead through to the current large kitchen, added 16 years ago. Big enough to roller skate around –and indeed someone did – it has a hard-wearing travertine-tiled floor and polished granite units.
A lightwell and apex window allow the southerly light to stream in. Off the kitchen is a good-sized utility room and guest WC with electric shower. The latter is also accessible via the garage, so it is handy for kids coming in after muddy games.
Glass doors lead from the kitchen into the formal diningroom, a space that has also functioned as a playroom and contains a snooker table that doubles as a dining table. It sits under a glass atrium coated in UV film to protect the table. Light-filled, it has doors leading out to a sandstone patio. When the family entertain, they open the doors between the two rooms and can comfortably seat up to 22 at the two tables.
Parties
It is a house that has had its fair share of parties. The owners knocked through the original diningroom and lounge to create a lovely L-shaped sittingroom, where get-togethers happen. The baby grand piano isn’t just for show – several family members play it.
On the wooden deck to the rear of the kitchen small holes set into the outside walls are anchor points for marquees erected for family anniversaries and landmark birthdays.
Upstairs there are four bedrooms which are all doubles. They share the family bathroom where the owners removed the bath in favour of twin sinks and a decent shower, giving teens and tweens plenty of light and space to preen.
The master bedroom overlooks the garden and has a ceiling height of 9ft. It has a bright en suite bathroom with a shower set in the bath. There are walls of wardrobe space in all four rooms.
The attic has been converted and is accessed via a retractable ladder.
There is off-street parking for several cars.
