The 1930s house at 70 Howth Road – on the Clontarf end of this long and winding road – is an example of how a cleverly designed extension can add to the living space and value of a house. Nearby houses vary in style and size, though many were built in the same decade, and this is detached giving the owners more scope when it came to extending. It now has a new open plan kitchen and living room spanning the rear, as well as a utility room in the now converted garage to the side.
Upstairs there are four bedrooms and a family bathroom. Downstairs the interconnecting reception rooms still have their 1930s feel, but they now open into the new extension giving the living area a free flowing feel. That new addition, designed by architect Cyril O’Brien, is where a family is likely to spend most time. There is space for a couple of sofas facing onto a woodburning stove, a large dining table and a well planned kitchen area fitted with stone topped Huenna units.
The open pitched ceiling, dotted with roof lights, adds to the airy feeling of space and the circular window is a nice design touch. This room opens to the rear garden and again the space is maximised to its full potential. It was landscaped by Bloom winning garden designer Paul Doyle. There is a glazed sun room to one side to better enjoy the garden, as a well as a large Shomera at the end which blends in with the overall look.
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As well as the utility room to the front – which new owners might use as a home office – extending to the side also allowed for a large contemporary style showerroom downstairs and a new inner hall which is lined with bookshelves.
There is off-street parking to the front and side pedestrian access to the rear via a covered walkway which would also provide handy shelter for bicycles.
Everything has been done to this house – it’s difficult to see what new owners might wish to change or add unless they wanted to go up into the attic – although at 155sq m it is already a very good sized family home.
