The streets that run between Ballsbridge and Donnybrook epitomise the term "des res". Redbrick roads with access to Herbert Park, the abundance of shops, cafes, restaurants and schools contribute to make these houses aspirational homes for both downsizers and mover-uppers.
Number 31 Pembroke Park, which is for sale through Knight Frank for €1.95 million, is no exception. A double-fronted semi, it has 260sq m (2,800sq ft) of space, including five bedrooms. It also has an extra sleeping space at the top of the house and a contemporary extension at garden level.
First things first: the owners, who bought it about 10 years ago, did a full refurbishment job on the property, taking up the floorboards to polish and replace them in their original settings. The sash windows are also original and fully functional.
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Reception rooms
There’s a Bang & Olufsen integrated sound system in the living and kitchen areas, working fireplaces and underfloor heating in the kitchen.
The entry is via a generous gravelled off-street parking area, with three steps leading up to the stained glass-panelled front door.
Inside, the classic interconnected pair of reception rooms run front to back to the right, while there is a study to the left. This has padded silk on the walls for maximum quiet and cosiness on those days when you don’t want to be disturbed.
The kitchen extension is at garden level to the rear, with French windows to the patio, that includes olive hedging, a water feature and access to the lane at the back.
Opening to a family room, it’s a contemporary space, a balanced contrast to the period elegance of the rest of the house.
The kitchen has plenty of storage and all the appliances you would expect. There are even two dishwashers, so you never have to unload: just take from the clean one, fill its counterpart and then do the process in reverse.
Surprising storage
To the left of the family room there’s a boot room with separate side access, plus a neat, long and narrow utility room to keep the workhorses of the house out of sight. The best bit is the surprising storage hiding behind the bookshelves: open them up to reveal more space for your wine, State secrets or other treasures.
Upstairs, the bedrooms are on the main floor plus two half returns, and all are generous sizes. The bathrooms are nicely done, and the master is en suite. The colour scheme throughout is in muted hues of taupe, soft gold and grey, except for two fun children’s rooms – one papered with sail boats, the other with playful dogs.
A further sleeping space with its own bathroom takes up the top floor, which would work for an au pair or teenager in need of their own domain.
