Builder Johnny O'Loughlin purchased 50 Mount Pleasant Avenue Lower in 2010 for €400,000, when the house was "in very bad shape – the walls had a tidemark of rising damp and the return was falling down".
With 20 years experience in building and restoring period homes in the Dublin 6 area through his company Mount Pleasant Developments, O'Loughlin was able to see beyond the detritus and dampness, and restored the property, where he now lives with his family.
O'Loughlin worked with architects John O'Connor and Manfredi Anello and the terraced property was totally gutted, insulated and refurbished with an extension added to the rear.
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Glass roof
A livingroom to the front of the house now features reclaimed oak parquet and a fine regency fireplace. “The house was in such bad shape, the only surviving details were the coving, doors and staircase,” says O’Loughlin.
The second reception room has been given a thoroughly modern makeover and leads down to the spacious kitchen which was handmade by Devoy Kitchens. A glass roof and concertina windows throw an incredible amount of light into the room, and O'Loughlin decided to keep the original stone wall – which carries through to the garden. Now exposed after repointing, it creates a dramatic contrast to the otherwise contemporary design.
AML Electrical designed the mood lighting in the kitchen and patio which gives the impression that the outdoor steps are floating at night.
Limestone flooring
Apart from the parquet, the flooring throughout is Jura limestone, with underfloor heating.
Upstairs are three fine-sized bedrooms, one of which is en suite. The family bathroom is designed as a wet room and also has a freestanding bath. O’Loughlin found an old gilt bureau in a salvage yard which he turned into a sink unit, and a gilt mirror above it houses secret shelving behind the glass.
The property has off-street parking for two cars in a garage on Fortescue Lane. In front of this is O’Loughlin’s office, where salvaged bay windows and French doors give a period feel to the new build.
The combination of salvaged pieces, contemporary design and bold colours makes for a unique property. The O'Loughlin family are in search of a larger home and their house, which measures 1,647sq ft (153sq m) is on the market through Sherry FitzGerald with an asking price of €895,000.
