Traditional to the front, contemporary to the back, the modern redesign by LyonsKelly makes the most of this waterfront setting …
In demolishing some later additions to the front, LyonsKelly replaced them with a single curved ‘nose’ to contain the entrance and hall. The ground floor rear terrace is used for outdoor dining while the lower ground floor terrace has a large corner window that slides into the walls to create a semi-indoor/outdoor space that opens to a suntrap.
The ground floor open plan kitchen, living and dining space with its three arches, one leading through to the breakfast room, another in the middle to the entrance hall, while the third arch is home to the fireplace and TV. The dining table was designed by LyonsKelly and made by Knut Klimmek, and the dining chairs are by B&B Italia from Minima. The bar stools are by Bruno Moinard. The plaster pendant lights are by Rose Uniacke. Natural linen from Moygashel, Co Donegal, used in simple curtains by Mary Wrynne, and poplar-lined ceilings add softness and absorb sound.
It’s one thing to achieve luxury beach living on the west coast of America, quite another on Ireland’s east coast where sunny, warm days when you can throw open the doors and grill on the terrace are relatively uncommon.
Two storeys to the front and three to the rear, on a steeply sloping and narrow site, this 1840s house caught the eye of a US-based family with strong Irish connections. But, used to open-plan beach house style living, they turned to architecture and interior design firm LyonsKelly for ideas. The plan, conjured by architect John Kelly and interior designer Eoin Lyons, was to enhance the Victorian villa aspect to the front and demolish all the additions that had accreted over decades to the rear, and replace these with a modern split-level extension over three floors.
The outdoor furniture is by Gandia Blasco from Minima. The dining chairs and table on the terrace are by B&B Italia from Minima.
Internally the front half retains its period character with the original proportions of the rooms enhanced with traditional sash windows, panelled shutters and doors, cornices and moulded skirtings. The rear half facing the sea is completely modern. The ground floor has been opened into one large open-plan ‘great room’, a space that combines kitchen, dining and living together.
The backdrop for all this wonderful living space is Dublin Bay with views to Howth and Dalkey Island. Glazing, 3.6 metres (12ft) in height, slides back to provide access to a raised terrace with an equally modern terrace and outdoor kitchen, outdoor dining and outdoor living space.
The open-plan great room is finished with polished plaster walls by master plasterer Paul Griffin, wide oak flooring and a slatted poplar timber ceiling. Natural linen curtains cover the wall of glazing at night.
The lower ground floor contains children’s bedrooms and a living room with a large corner window that slides into the walls to give a wonderful, elevated view. The red chair is by Roda from Minima.
A series of three arches lead through the kitchen, one to a breakfast room, another to the entrance hall in the middle, while the third arch incorporates a TV and fireplace.
The breakfast room to the front of the house with onyx-top table by Pendhapa, chairs by Bruno Moinard and antique glass pendant light by Rose Uniacke.
The breakfast room has a groin vault ceiling and opens onto a terrace at the front of the house. This terrace provides a sheltered alternative when it is too windy to use the rear terrace.
On the first floor, two bedrooms are located at the front of the house, both with Victorian detailing. To the rear, a new primary bedroom suite extends across the entire back of the house, with expansive sea views. This suite has its own terrace accessible from the bedroom and bathroom.
The kitchen, designed by LyonsKelly, with oak cabinetry by Abington and an Atlantic Stone worktop (natural but without the overly lavish look of marble) by Miller Bros. The ribbed detail is wide on the island and narrow on the cupboards, a play on scale, while the cabinets and Miele appliances are all at or below eye level.
With the master suite overlooking the sea, the elements dictate the view but not the atmosphere within, which was designed to be warm and enveloping. To achieve this, LyonsKelly used fabric wallpaper by Philip Jeffries on walls and ceiling, Holland and Sherry wool curtains, and plush textiles. The bed was custom made by Abington to LyonsKelly’s design using a de La Cuona fabric.
A lower ground floor was added to the rear under the main terrace. This lower floor contains two bedrooms with space for up to seven to sleep, the idea to provide space for the family’s friends and cousins to stay. At this level there is also a living room/den. This room has a large corner window that slides into the walls to create a semi-indoor/ outdoor space open to another terrace.
The external walls of the lower level are finished in Dalkey granite, with chunky granite steps linking it up to the ground floor terrace. The garden was designed by LyonsKelly with Bernard Hickie Design and is in a series of stepping terraces. The rear garden is landscaped with boulders brought in to form walls and frame terraces and paths. Native seaside plants fill the gaps between the boulders
The round mirror is by Fiona Mac Donald, and the desk and chair by Time & Style.
The master ensuite has an arched recess for the vanity, mirroring the arches downstairs. Pearlised tiles from Ceramica reflect the light and vintage wall lights are from 1stDibs.
Uno Pouf by Design House Stockholm from Nordic Elements.
