Years in the planning, the interior of this elegant Dublin penthouse has all the features of a luxury hotel suite …
Photographs by Helen Cathcart
When a London-based Irish developer bought the famous Oscar Taylor’s restaurant and Island View Hotel on the Coast Road in Malahide, for decades a north county Dublin institution, he was sensible enough to reserve the top two floors of the planned development of just ten luxurious apartments for his own use. The Tides, as the sleek apartment building is called, has a spectacular view over Malahide Beach to Ireland’s Eye, and the penthouse takes full advantage of the seaside panorama.
The owner also had the vision to engage Sara Cosgrove Studio to design the interior of the penthouse. Having worked with Sara on some of Candy & Candy’s famously ambitious developments in London, he knew that together they could conjure the beauty, functionality and polish of a very luxurious hotel or sophisticated boutique that he had in mind for his new Dublin base. Both the owner and Sara are committed to the use of the very best materials available and are enthusiastic supporters of craftspeople and small artisanal companies – Irish and international – whose attention to detail brings much that is unique and extra-special to this highly considered and sophisticated interior.
The hallway of the apartment was inspired by the elegant retail spaces of luxury brands. A stairway lined with mirrors, like those at the Chanel boutique at 31 rue Cambon, and hand-painted silk wallcoverings, is a glamorous introduction to this very luxurious space. The scalloped pendant light reflects the arc of the staircase and a bespoke lacquered table sits snugly in its curve. Sara’s design for the bronze and antiqued brass handrail was made by CDS Metalwork in Kilkenny.
In the principal living area on the ground floor of the penthouse, the mood is that of a sophisticated hotel lounge. Behind the bespoke mirror over the fireplace there is a television and the custom joinery conceals sophisticated technology and lighting controls. The botanical silk inlaid rug was custom-dyed and designed to fit perfectly.
A spectacular bar exemplifies the painstaking and detailed approach to the design: the backlit onyx top rests on a dark stained oak and antique brass-detailed bar counter, and the bar back features a custom bas relief panel with antique brass shelving and eglomisé mirror panels on either side.
In the dining area, the table is the work of master craftsman Peter Christopher Carroll. The curtain and upholstery fabrics for the dining chairs were hand-embroidered with a modern art deco design by Beaumont & Fletcher. The handblown glass and bronze pendant light over the table – the same design features in the living area – was made in Italy.
In the kitchen, the owner wanted a completely unique design. “We set out to create a kitchen that is unlike any you have seen elsewhere,” says Sara, “but that still has a classic, timeless feel.” She engaged Rhatigan and Hick to deliver precision cabinetry to her design. The basketweave marble floor and the fluted marble island counter display a hotel-like level of luxury finish.
On the upper floor of the penthouse, there is a second space for relaxation and entertaining. Here, all elements, from bespoke dining chairs to another fully fitted bar, were designed specially for the space. Sara commissioned Cox London to create a spectacular crystal chandelier. Even the sheer curtains at the vast windows have an exquisite beaded border.
The master bedroom has an art deco, five-star hotel feel, with every detail considered and furniture beautifully finished inside and out. Sara describes the room, which took months to complete, as “a jigsaw puzzle where every element needed to fit together perfectly”. She commissioned light fittings from French lighting company Serip and came up with an ergonomic half-moon design for the bedside lockers while London firm Studio Peascod created the eglomisé panels. Kilkenny company Made by Dunmore co-ordinated the fit-out, including the figured sycamore of the drawers and custom Lalique crystal door pulls. In the palatial en suite bathroom, Leinster Stone supplied the marble and the pink onyx. Luxury hotel features include a heated mirror, underfloor heating and layered lighting.
Off the master bedroom are his and hers dressing rooms. In the “masculine” one, Sara created a traditional Savile Row atmosphere using sustainable bamboo for the wardrobes, a chevron carpet by New York company Stark, antiqued mirrored drawers and woven wallcoverings from Phillip Jeffries. A small custom chandelier based on the larger Serip chandelier in the bedroom was commissioned. The second dressing room is reminiscent of a boutique, with leather and antique brass details and mirrors to reflect light.
Every inch of this elegant penthouse was designed and finished with exceptional attention to detail. When the owner touches down at Dublin airport, just a short drive away is the perfect luxury hotel suite with a spectacular view, and all the benefits of home.
The curved, mirrored staircase is modelled on Coco Chanel’s, at 31 rue Cambon in Paris.
In the living area, a bespoke mirror conceals a television.
The dining area overlooks the sea. The table was made by Peter Christopher Carroll.
One of two bars, with bas relief bar back and eglomisé mirror panels.
The kitchen design, with sycamore cabinetry inlaid with a starburst design, is by Rhatigan and Hick.
In the bedroom, with its art deco feel, every piece of furniture was designed to fit perfectly, while the pink marble en suite bathroom is pretty and luxurious.
The guest bathroom is cool and sophisticated in white marble.
One of the two dressing rooms has the feel of a traditional Savile Row tailor.
