DUBLIN 6W €925,000:This architect-owned house is a masterclass in what's possible with a well-designed extension, writes ALANNA GALLAGHER

THE THREE-BED semi may be the most desirable of housing stock styles but sometimes this family favourite can be restrictive in what it offers house hunters.

Number 62 Shanid Road in Dublin 6W is a masterclass in what’s possible with a well-designed extension. This one-time ugly duckling has been transformed into a five-bed swan. The architect-owned house has grown from 96sq m (2,150sq ft) to 204sq m (2,196sq ft).

Situated on the Kimmage side of Kenilworth crossroads, the slick and understated family house is on a quiet road where few of its neighbours have been upgraded.

It has lovely period features and is competitively priced at €925,000 through Sherry Fitz-Gerald. To the passer-by the extension appears seamless. There’s a family room where the garage used to be with a guest toilet and a big storage cupboard making it ideal as a kids’ playroom or au pair accommodation.

Interconnecting doors between the living and diningrooms create a large living space, which includes an open fireplace and access to a patio in the south-east facing back garden.

A utility room is off the diningroom while a large sliding door masks a second living area with a long, spacious and extremely bright, galley-style, kitchen that features cool mink-coloured quartz countertops. This leads into a bright breakfastroom with roof lights and a folding door that opens this room up to the garden.

Off the breakfastroom is a home office but this could also become another kids’ playroom. Solid oak flooring features throughout.

Upstairs the main bedroom is the width of the house and has enormous wardrobe space and a neat en suite. It is bright and set apart from the other accommodation, which includes two doubles and a box single and a family bathroom that really benefits from its expanded size.

This is a house that was built to live in, rather than flip, as is evidenced by its ample storage solutions and attention to detail.

In addition, there’s an attic room that feels bright and very desirable to spend time in.

The garden is big by typical three-bed semi standards. It backs onto a VEC playing field and feels very private.

There is room out front for off-street car-parking for up to three cars.

62 Shanid Road, Harolds Cross Road, Dublin 6W

Five-bed house that’s doubled in size with well-designed extension

Agent: Sherry FitzGerald